If you've ever opened a kiln and thought, "Wait — what glaze did I use on that one?" you're not alone. It's one of the most common frustrations in pottery: you get a stunning result, and then you can't remember how you got there.
That's where a glaze journal comes in. Whether you keep it on paper, in an app, or on sticky notes taped to your shelf (no judgment), tracking your glazes will change the way you work.
What to Track
You don't need to write a novel for every piece. Just capture the basics:
- Clay body — what clay you used and at what cone
- Glaze name(s) — brand, color, and any layering
- Application method — dipped, brushed, sprayed, and how many coats
- Firing details — cone, kiln type (electric vs. gas), and any holds or slow cooling
- The result — what it actually looked like when it came out
Why It Matters
Pottery is part art, part science. Glazes react differently depending on clay body, thickness, firing temperature, and even humidity in the studio. Two pieces with the "same" glaze can look completely different if one variable changes.
Without notes, you're relying on memory — and memory is unreliable, especially when you're making dozens of pieces at a time. A journal turns your experiments into data you can actually learn from.
Start Simple
You don't need a fancy system. Grab a notebook and dedicate one page per firing. Write the date, list what went in, and note what came out. An app like this is a amazing easy tool to have on hand. But a simple notebook will do. Over time, you'll start seeing patterns: which combos you love, which ones to avoid, and which ones are worth experimenting with further.
If you want something more structured, our app has a built-in tracking system that lets you log clay, glaze, and firing info for every piece — with photos so you can see exactly what each combination produced.
The best glaze journal is the one you'll actually use. Start where you are, keep it simple, and watch your glazing get more intentional (and a lot less stressful).