BOTZ - Ceramics makes Friends

NEW NEW NEW - BOTZ APP: Potters' Diary

We've been working on it for a long time, and now you can finally download it and use it
and use it to your heart's content: Anyone who has always wanted to digitally document
their pottery and glaze creations can now do so in our brand new BOTZ APP ‘Diary’.  

You can create projects and store everything about the clay, glaze and firing, e. g. to be
able to repeat it later or to make it available to others. Of course, you can also save pictures
of the creation process and create your own notes. You can use the news function to receive
direct messages from BOTZ on all the latest news about our colours.

The app is available free of charge in the well-known app stores for iOS, Android, etc.
Here we show you how it works:
Tutorial BOTZ App Potters' Diary

There will certainly be a few ‘teething troubles’ in the first few weeks, which we apologise for.
But above all, we wish you lots of fun trying out the APP and of course we look forward to
receiving your feedback.

CREATIVE MINDS - Saba Young, Münster

Today we introduce you to Saba Young from Münster: Mum of three lively kids, wife,
hairdresser and - in her words - ‘addicted’ to pottery! And you can see and feel her
enthusiasm. Saba has developed her own creative style and her products are
amazingly professional (Insta: @saba_ameli).

Dear Saba, how did you get into arts and ceramics?

Saba: Two years ago, I visited a ceramics workshop in the USA with a friend and was
immediately fascinated. I wanted to go straight to the potter's wheel - luckily there wasn't
one free! Because when I later attended a course in Münster, I quickly realised that it is
important to be shown the techniques in detail first.

I found it particularly exciting that I had different teachers on the different courses.
Each one taught me different techniques and over time I was able to develop my own style.

What do you particularly like about BOTZ glazes?

Saba: For me, glazes are the be-all and end-all of every piece of pottery. No matter how
perfect the pottery itself is - without the right glaze, it loses its impact. I was sceptical at first
because I could only use BOTZ PRO due to the firing temperature in the workshop where I work.
I thought my choice would be limited. But time and experience have taught me the opposite:
these glazes are now among my favourites.

I particularly like mixing them with white to create delicate, pastel colours. BOTZ PLUS
to create special effects. I have recently discovered engobes, which I like to combine with the
PRO glazes. This variety allows me to create exactly the creative accents that I want.

What is your ‘pottery philosophy’?

Saba: I often have a clear idea of what a piece should look like, and pottery gives me the
opportunity to realise this vision completely, from the shape to the colour. I love clear
lines, but it should never be boring - colourful, but not garish. To achieve this, I have to
to do it myself!

Pottery is pure meditation for me. It relaxes me a lot and gives me the opportunity to see
the result of my work in a short space of time - that gives me incredible pleasure. I'm also
creative professionally, both at the sewing machine for my mini-label ‘YoungsMoccs’ and
as a hairdresser.

Thank you so much, Saba! And ALL THE BEST!

DID YOU KNOW? - Mixing engobes and glazes

Engobes are coloured liquid clay and have a soft, matt colour without glaze. However, they need to be
coated with a transparent glaze to achieve a vibrant colour brilliance.
But engobes (whether BOTZ Earthenware engobes or high-fired EDITION engobes) can also be mixed
in their raw state with a transparent glaze. We have achieved very nice results, for example, with
the PRO glaze 9317 Raw Diamond:
If you mix this glaze with an engobe in a ratio of 70:30 (glaze:engobe) and then apply it twice
you can create your own speckled glazes. In the example photo on the left, fired at 1250°C.

CREATIVE MINDS - Maya Fernandes Kempe, Berlin & Portugal

Maya Fernandes Kempe, a German artist who lives and works in Berlin and Portugal, also appreciates
wild experimentation and testing: mayafernandeskempe.com .

Maya, how did you get into art and ceramics?

Maya: As an art teacher, I have worked with children, young people and adults for many years, in Lisbon
and in Berlin. I realised early on that clay has an effect on people; Self-determined modelling with this
earthy material is both stimulating and calming, It has a sensual quality that no other material can offer.
In 2009, I founded my own studio in Berlin Charlottenburg, where I focussed my art education work on clay.
Then came the first commissioned works, small exhibitions at first and later larger ones, especially in
Portugal. I now live from selling my works, developing artistic projects (always in the field of ceramic
sculpture) and giving courses for adults: on weekends in my Berlin studio and one-week courses in a
beautiful ceramic workshop on the west coast of Portugal (link).
The ceramic processes of transformation under the influence of the elements fire, water, air and earth
are my great passion and have fascinated me since day one.

What are you currently working on?

Maya: I am currently preparing an exhibition of my latest series of works "Sementes". The project is
sponsored by the Portuguese Ministry of Culture and consists of an educational travelling exhibition,
showing enlargements of plant seeds. I collect the seeds in nature, place them under a microscope and
use the enlarged image as a model for my sculpture. It's an attempt to capture this moment of
admiration and amazement when this tiny seed turns into the image of a sculpture of abstract beauty,
with the most delicate and surprising forms.
I paint the sculptures with BOTZ glazes and engobes, taking inspiration from the colour of each flower.
The first stop of the travelling exhibition will be the Museu de História Natural e da Ciência (MUHNAC,
Natural History Museum) in Lisbon. I very much hope to bring the exhibition to Germany in 2025.

How do you use BOTZ glazes and engobes?

Maya: I make wild mixtures! I mix engobes with each other to create subtle shades of colour and
create highlights with transparent glazes. I really like to combine the matt, open and delicate
colourfulness of engobes with the deep, bright and intense quality of glazes. I also mix glazes with
engobes and apply several layers.
In retrospect, I often can no longer tell which glazes and engobes I mixed and where I applied them.
and the result is not always successful. Then I start all over again. True to Samuel Beckett:
"Ever tried, ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better."

Thank you so much, Maya! All the best!

NEW NEW NEW - BOTZ EDITION

Many of you have been asking us for this over the last few years - and we've finally made it:
The new BOTZ "Edition" series is now available - 15 luminous stoneware engobes for high-firing,
with or without glaze, which work wonderfully on all clays in the broad firing range 1180°-1280°C.

The firing results are absolutely "engob-ish": earthy without glaze, gently matt and well covering. With a
transparent glaze on top (BOTZ 9300 PRO or BOTZ 9870 Stoneware) they become even more luminous,
and - depending on the glaze - are recommended for tableware.
Available, as usual, in pots of 200 and 800ml at your favourite local ceramic goods dealer.

DID YOU KNOW? - Applying engobes all around

Engobes are - simply put - liquid, coloured clay and they also behave like clay,
i.e. you can, for example, also paint the underside of a vessel with the engobe and - of course only if not
additionally glazed - simply place it on the kiln shelf or even stack it in the kiln. This allows you to
design the base surfaces in a matt colour and there is no need to use spacers as a firing aid.

This product behaviour applies both to our BOTZ engobes in earthenware range (900-1100°C) and
now also for the new BOTZ EDITION series - in the high-firing or stoneware range at 1180-1280°C.
Incidentally, all colours can be easily mixed within the firing range groups. So you can create your
very own colours. But be careful, you can't stop once you started to try...

TIME TO CELEBRATE - BOTZ turns 40!

In 1984, we started testing, stirring, mixing, discarding, offering, packaging, shipping... and are now a well
trusted brand in the world of pottery in around 50 countries. We are proud of this exciting journey and
would like to sincerely thank all our employees, you users and companions for the great and always
noticeable support!

Many thanks also to all our retail partners, who have been sincere, reliable and competent ever since, 
who organise product distribution for you and are on hand with help and advice at all times.

Throughout 2024, there will be small promotions, surprises and anniversary prizes. Check back
on Instagram from time to time... We're already looking forward to it!!!

NEW BOTZ WORKBOOK

After the very successful launch of our BOTZ workbook last autumn, the second issue of "ceramic & friends"
- on the theme of "summer" - will be hot off the press in the next few weeks and you can pick it up for free at
your local ceramic goods dealer. Once again, you will find many beautiful pottery ideas (no
wheel!) that are completely easy to copy. Have fun with it!

DID YOU KNOW?

BOTZ PRO 9317 Raw Diamond + BOTZ Unidekor

Do you want to create your very own BOTZ PRO colours with speckles? The new BOTZ PRO
Glaze 9137 Rough Diamond (Transparent with Specks) is excellent when mixed with other
coloured PRO glazes, but especially in combination with BOTZ Unidekor. It works just as
well in the underglaze technique as in other classic application techniques, try it out -
it also works in high firing up to 1250°C!

CREATIVE MINDS - cortomagdelft, Münster / Trieste

In keeping with the theme of art and ceramics, today we introduce you to cortomagdelft:

The young label is a design duo consisting of Leah and Esther Wiesing - 25-year-old twin sisters,
who graduated in object and interior design from Dortmund University of Applied Sciences in 2020.
Their style is characterised by eclectic compositions and the oscillation between unique and serial suitability.
suitability for series production. They are currently continuing their studies (while simultaneously searching
for inspiration) in Italy and keep up with their work by their online shop - www.cortomagdelft.com -
by commuting between Münster and Trieste.

Dear Lea, dear Esther, what do you like about the BOTZ colours?

Lea: What we like about the BOTZ colours is that they are accommodating, almost "friendly" in their
reliability - and at the same time they always support great joy in experimenting! Sometimes we rely
we rely on a faithful, radiant colour result and sometimes we let glazes run into each other,
mix them before spreading or sprinkle another glaze on top after a firing. In every
colour range there is at least one BOTZ colour, which in turn can be combined well with other colours.
Craquelé turquoise turns (sometimes) purple on a dark background, confetti and craquelé turquoise
together create crazy effects and BOTZ Plus is always a little surprise anyway. In short: BOTZ colours
make working so much easier and at the same time always provide an opportunity for new experiments!

What are the design and artistic aspects of your ceramics?

Esther: We try to combine design and art with our ceramics; we often call our works "serial uniques".
often call our works "serial one-offs", which is a good way of highlighting the interface between design
and art - something we are particularly interested in. in which we are particularly interested.
The tables, stools, wardrobes or other objects we create, are always unique: even if we aspire to copy
a particularly successful bowl, we never manage to make the second bowl look exactly the same.
Often we don't even try... Nevertheless, we are always interested in the bowl being just as functional
as the previous one or, more generally more generally: all our objects should be functional -
but also a little bit funny, a little retro, a little pastel, a little curious and a little Mediterranean, perhaps,
which brings us to the design aspect aspect: CortoMagDelft is a design duo for artistic everyday objects
that are as functional and simple in their function as they are fragile and unique in their occurrence.
in their function as fragile and unique in their occurrence.

What style do you follow in ceramics?

Lea: None at all!

Esther: We don't follow a certain uniform style, we are rather uniformly non-uniform.
A bowl with a pattern can be just as fascinating as a stool with a motif, and most of all, the
the combination can be good. The style of our ceramics can therefore perhaps be described
particularly well with the word eclectic: We weave different styles together. We take all styles seriously,
but none too much. So for us, good style is an openness, an unrestrictedness and, above all, the
ability to recognise what looks good and in what combination.

Thank you, you two, and ALL THE BEST!

NEW GLAZES 

Five wonderful matt pastel stoneware glazes complement
our high-firing range:

9861     Betongrau / Concrete Grey
9862     Wüstengelb / Desert Yellow
9863     Vergissmeinnicht / Forget-me-not
9864     Rosa Fels / Rose Rock
9865     Eukalyptus / Eucalyptus

Three glossy PRO colours with speckles enrich your favourite series:

9317     Rohdiamant / Raw Diamond
9318     Calcitgelb / Calcite Yellow
9319     Peridot / Peridot

CREATIVE MINDS - Stefanie Fehr-Hoberg, Münster / Germany

Hardly anyone knows better than Stefanie Fehr-Hoberg that changes determine our lives.
She is a well-known coaching specialist and communication trainer from Münster,
she accompanies people and companies in development processes, trains soft skills topics
and moderates workshops and team days (www.paretotraining.de and www.die-talk-talks.de).
We would like to introduce her because she is a good example of people who, after intensive
mental work, also produce great ceramics as "unskilled" potters. Anyone can learn to make pottery,
it is good for everyone and some people can describe why so beautifully: 

Dear Steffi, how did you get into ceramics?

Steffi: I have always loved sewing and handicrafts and have been interested in DIY and everything
creative ever since I can remember! So it was only a matter of time and a good opportunity
until I also tried ceramics. Inspired by the endless possibilities of creating something unique out of
what initially looks like an unimpressive material, I enthusiastically signed up for a workshop.
Glazing then completely blew me away, because you can only see the result after firing.

What is special for you about making ceramics yourself?

That I can create beautiful everyday objects that are completely based on my own idea.
Putting them on the table and using them every day at home with great pleasure makes me really happy.
I simply love beauty in the little things of everyday life. Smiles and positive feelings guaranteed!

How does pottery help you to cope with your demanding workday?

I enjoy working with my hands and being completely immersed in the creative process just for myself.
Getting into my own flow and focusing on the unique piece that is being created is a wonderful
mindfulness exercise for me in terms of presence and attention! 

Why do you use BOTZ glazes?

Because they are so easy to use, the result is always wonderful and there are so many special
mixtures and combinations ...

Thank you, Steffi, and ALL THE BEST!

DID YOU KNOW? - Energy conscious e.g. in "single-firing" process 

The "single-firing" process seems to be an ideal way to save energy by combining the biscuit firing and the glaze firing in one. In principle this often works, but not always and you should consider the following:

• The firing curve should be very flat, i.e. start with 80-100°C/h up to 650°C, then usual glaze firing at +/- 250°C/h.
• The single-firing method is only suitable for smaller objects (the more water has to escape, the more difficult...), but the clay wall must not be too thin.
• Some glazes tend to bubble in single-firing, as they can be "disturbed" by the escaping gases
• Each glaze layer must dry on its own and especially the finished glazed object must dry thoroughly, preferably overnight.

Of course, it makes sense from a professional point of view to do seperate firings for bisque and glaze. As clay bodies and glazes behave very differently. it is not for sure that single-firing always works well. Make sure you test for yourself in your conditions.

If you want sintered clay for tableware and garden pottery and usually fire in the stoneware range,
it is also a good idea to use BOTZ PRO glazes, which fire from 1020-1280°C and thus also in glaze firing possible "only" up to the sintering point, e.g. up to 1150°C. Your piece will not absorb any humidity anymore and the glaze is also already melted out perfectly. For stoneware firing (e.g. with +100°C) you need considerably more energy. 

CREATIVE MINDS - Sabine Servos, Grevenbroich / Germany 

Now we would like to introduce you to a self-made ceramicist who keeps motivating herself through pottery even in difficult times and thus inspires others. She likes to share her experiences in a famous facebook group that is a cornucopia of good ceramic ideas: the wonderful Sabine Servos!!!

Dear Sabine, how did you get into ceramics?

Sabine: When I was 14 years old, a VHS pottery course was offered in the school next door, I was infected immediately. I can't even count the courses I attended from then on, and at some point I was allowed to take over the course as a teacher myself. In the meantime, it has become three courses a week.

You founded the facebook group "BOTZ Glazes Tips and Tricks", which today already has over 4000 members. How did it come about?

Sabine: In the vastness of the internet nirvana it is often difficult to find what you are looking for. So the idea was obvious to bundle information and found a community only on the subject of "BOTZ glazes". An exchange of tips and tricks, for example: how does one glaze behave with another glaze, how does the glaze develop when I fire it higher, and so on.

Why do social media and ceramics go so well together?

Sabine: In my BOTZ group there are members from 40 countries who could never meet in person in one place. But in the Facebook group it works. An example:
A question is asked in Dutch, member X answers in German, member Y in French and member Z asks another question in Italian. I love that.

Which glazes from BOTZ do you particularly like to use?

Sabine: For me, it really changes depending on the season. I love champagne - whether solo, under or over whatever else. Layering creates special effects! I just achieved great results with crocodile on pumpkins for example.

You've just published your third book. How did you get into writing books?

Sabine: Through Corona, actually. I found a free drawing course online in the first Lockdown. This was the starting signal for me to draw answers to recurring questions in the pottery groups. Many members of my VHS and facebook groups were enthusiastic and asked for books. And now there are already three, I am acutally working on books four and five.

Sabine, thank you so much! And keep up this terrific passion of yours!

DID YOU KNOW YET? - Glaze variations on kiln positions top/bottom

It is always exciting to observe how many different factors influence the firing result: we usually make our test
samples on 3 clay strips, which we glaze from top to bottom with different application thicknesses (1/2/3x coats). 
Then we place one strip on the upmost kiln plate, one on the lowest and one in the middle.
Many kilns fire slightly differently from top to bottom. Depending on the construction, age and insulation of the kiln,
there can be differences of 20-30°C. That doesn't sound significantly and not all glazes react to temperature
fluctuations of such extent, though some show variations. It is also a question of how closely the ware is set and
how good the air exchange is. We strongly recommend to test your favourite glazes under your own (varying)
firing conditions.

On the left you can see two the examples of very sensitive glazes: 9898 Ice Crystal and 9899 Travertine.
If you know the characteristics of those varying colours, you can of course use them creatively and achieve
a variety of effects. Have fun with it! 

CREATIVE MINDS - Judith Helmers / Emsdetten

Today we would like to introduce you to Judith Helmers, whom we had the pleasure of meeting at our BOTZ Creator
Meeting in spring this year. Judith has - like so many in ceramics - found an unusual way to clay. She now runs
a great ceramics studio "ClayHaus" in Emsdetten, where she produces pottery herself and gives very inspiring
courses. And quite honestly: her studio is the cleanest and best organised workshop we have ever seen (and that's
saying something!): www.clayhaus.de / insta: ClayhausCeramic

Judith, you haven't been pottering for that long, but have been doing something completely different -
How did you come to found the ClayHaus?

Judith: That's right. I only learned to make pottery at the beginning of 2019, while living in Charlotte (USA) for
three years. My husband's job sort of brought our family to North Carolina (USA) and for the first time - after
20 years as a bank clerk - I had the time to do something completely different. I was immediately hooked on
working with clay and had the great fortune to be able to immerse myself very intensively in the field.
After our return to Germany in the summer of 2020, there was no going back to my old job. I started ClayHaus
simply as an experiment and it went very well from the beginning - despite Corona. In the meantime, I have spent
countless hours at the potter's wheel and have intensively trained myself in all areas of ceramics.

What exactly do you offer at ClayHaus?

Judith: I make individual pieces and small editions of handmade ceramics and sell them in my small shop/online
shop. In addition, I give lessons on the potter's wheel and in handbuilding. In the meantime, this has turned into
several workshops per week.

How would you describe your pottery? What are the current trends?

Judith: I love handmade style away from mass products. All my pieces are thrown on the potter's wheel or shaped
with my hands and go through a multi-stage process until the glaze finish. I love the natural tones of light or brown
pyrite clay combined with white, pink or turquoise and blue glaze. The products should look timeless, fresh and
individual and above all be used every day.

At the moment, ceramic pieces that partly show the raw, unglazed clay in combination with thick drops of glaze
running down the pottery piece are doing particularly well. Layering several different glazes is also very trendy. Your
many great examples on the BOTZ Instagram account or the YouTube channel are really helpful. 

Which glazes from BOTZ do you particularly like to use?

Judith: For example, I really like using BOTZ PRO with its wide range of colours. This is also available to my pottery
students in the studio and is very popular with its wide firing range and easy handling. At the moment, I am
particularly fond of the delicate pink shade Morganite. I recently poured and swivelled it in a few bowls together
with Pearl Pink and Opal White. I also like to mix the PRO series with each other and get my very own colours. 

Thank you, Judith, and ALL THE BEST!

DID YOU KNOW YET? - Applying running glazes

When applying glazes, that bear the pictogram with one/two drops ("tends to run (strongly)")
there is some important things you need to know, in order to avoid unpleasant suprises, but first and foremost
to get the best effects out of those beautiful colours. If you know your way, they are the perfect means for
creating terrific transitions and run-off-effects (see photos on the left):

- on vessels or any kind of upright objects, please don't apply too thickly on the lower area (1-2 cm) in order to prevent dripping of glaze: the thicker you apply, the stronger the glaze will run
- please check if the kiln batt is properly covered with batt wash (e.g. BOTZ 9010), just in case something is going to drop off
- applied on the inside of vessels and/or reliefs, thick layers of running glazes create amazing effects like deep semi-transparent colour pools  
- applied unevenly (or dabs of glaze) you can intentionally create dripping effects on your piece of ceramic 
- combined with other glazes (overglazing) you can invent your very own exciting new colours or mixing effects  

CREATIVE MINDS - Elena Tümler / Münster

Due to the terrific feedback we receive with regard to our social media activities, we want to introduce Elena from our BOTZ team to you, who is creating all the great ceramic content together with Beate and Emily. Elena has started as a student intern here at BOTZ two years ago - we cannot do without her ever since...: she takes (motion) pictures, does the digital cutting, creates the posts and simply amazes us with her technical know how and her aesthetical sense for wonderful pictures.

Elena, how did you turn to the world of ceramics?

In my childhood my mother brought ceramics into my life for the first time. Back then, my brother and I, we created some hilarious figures, we even tried mug (and it kept being trials...). So I do associate moments of pottery with strong memories of my childhood. Later on, during my youth, honestly speaking, I lost touch to ceramics for quite some time: I was still enjoying and appreciating handmade tableware, though not from my own hands anymore. Being an intern at BOTZ I got back in touch and rediscovered the beauty and the personal satisfaction while actually doing pottery. Meanwhile I do even work ceramics regularly with friends, trying out new glaze combinations all the time!

What are the special challenges when presenting ceramics in social media?

Ceramics is just a very complex subject, as I learned well at BOTZ during the last 2 years. To make the difficult things easy to grasp is maybe the demanding thing when talking about social media content. People on social media channel are so diverse. Some are into the craft for a lot of years, showing tremendous skills, others are just starters, keen on learning the basics. Creating content for evereyone to be happy with and to learn a bit from is the key. And I am always so happy when we get great feedback and wishes from all the different skilled followers. 

What do like best in terms of the BOTZ glazes?

That's hard to say... I love the diversity of the colours! Sometimes it is really tough for me to decide for certain colour, because there is so many I would like to work and combine on. And it is so exciting to openly experiment with glazes. I really like to mix glazes in order to reach new colour shades or other effects. Quite often it is the surprising results which are the best! I extremely recommend to "play" with glaze, i. e. to mix, to dilute, to try thick and thin, to layer one upon another or whatever - so much fun and you just broaden your (ceramic) mind. 

My favourite colour? 9866 Driftwood!

Thank you, Elena!

ABOVE AND UNDERNEATH - BOTZ PRO in combination with BOTZ PLUS 

The BOTZ PRO glazes can be combined perfectly with BOTZ PLUS. In different methods and on different sorts of
clay there's exciting effects, which are totally state-of-the-art...

In the overview (picture on the left), in first row there's pure 9305 Aquamarin (two thick layers) on different clay
bodies (from l. to. r.: white, white + spots, grey, black). In row two BOTZ PLUS 9020 has been applied purely (two
layers). Row three shows the combination of both with 9305 underneath (two layers) and 9020 PLUS above (one
layer) and vice versa in row four (one layer 9020 PLUS underneath, two layers of 9305 above).

FAQ: If applied alone BOTZ 9020 PLUS is NOT recommended for tableware, though in combination with other
glazes, it adapts this feature to the "dominant" glaze. If you enhance a glaze that carries the tableware pictogram
with BOTZ PLUS, this combination will keep being fit for tableware (shouldn't become cracky, obviously).

The exciting thing about BOTZ PLUS: there's so many effects unforeseeable, so please dare experimenting!
BOTZ PLUS can create awesome seams between colours or simply build great running „glaze-noses“.

CREATIVE MINDS - Henning Schuldt / Stein & Schuldt, Hamburg

The studio "Stein and Schuldt" has always had great (ceramic) ideas: playing tokens, frost-proof terracotta, Raku-tea bowls and decoration tiles are only some of the expertise, next to tableware. One project though is very remarkable: Since several years now Henning Schuldt placed a "tile-dispenser" on special locations in Hamburg. At these so called „Fliesomaten“, you can buy small decor tiles at reasonable prices… In tableware manufacturing Henning applies also BOTZ glazes a. o. and shows a lot of his objects and techniques on Instagram (@hamburgpotter). He is happy to briefly talk to us regarding his pottery career:

How did you turn to ceramics and pottery?

Henning: "When I was a child I was doing some basic pottery with my mom. Later on, when I was a student in social education, I was gaining some expertise working with people with drug addictions. I was just fascinated by forming this soft material, that keeps his shape and posture through fire and thus defies time. I desperately wanted to learn to work the wheel and ended up in a workshop at my business partner of today, Mathias Stein, in teh year 2001. I was just extremely lucky to be able to become part of his studio, to learn from his experience and to freely try out new things and ideas. Sometimes that all led to great new products, sometimes to awful mistakes, which made us learn even more in our mutual exchange."

What do you think, why ceramics has gone through this incredible hype these years?

Henning: "Handmade ceramics is unique, diverse, so different in colours and haptics that it simply fascinates - and it is very attracting in this digitally converging world. Then, I suppose, COVID19 has motivated a lot of people to try out new things or at least to finally start with what I always wanted to do but never managed. Luckily in ceramics also as a strater you can creat results that make you happy (of course, can make you feel terrible as well...). I do experience both, still after 20 years, it will never become boring."

Do you have a favourite BOTZ glaze?

Henning: "We normally create our own glazes, but I also included some BOTZ glazes in my works ever since. I really love the new BOTZ PRO series, especially 9315 Larimar is just a dream."

Thanks, Henning, best wishes and merry Christmas!

DID YOU KNOW YET? - Sustainable & resealable BOTZ containers 

We are there, finally: Since May we fill our BOTZ glazes into recycled containers, i. e. the plastic is sourced from
our daily personal waste out of the recycling bin. We are happy about this important step towards more sustainability in our company. 

On top of that, as frequently suggested from our BOTZ users, we enhanced the red screwing lid with a white inner
sealing lid in order to be able to reseal the containers properly. Thereby, moving and shaking opened pots will be 
much easier for you now. The transition to the new material and the sealing lid will happen gradually by
approx. the end of 2021.

TIME FOR SOMETHING NEW! - BOTZ brochure 2021 & workshops

Just in time for summer season we publish our new BOTZ brochure, which can be obtained at your local dealer 
as of July presumably. We show you lots of new pictures of great ceramics and a. o. we introduce you to 
several exciting potters, who work with our glazes. If the brochure is out of stock, we can also send you a copy 
by mail. Of course you have a first look into it digitally - Enjoy yourself!   

The rather improved situation of the Covid pandemic in Europe encourages us to see you again and work
with you in person at workshops and presentations as of autumn. We'll be putting the first dates on 
our Homepage soon. Just have a look at it in a couple of weeks...

CREATIVE MINDS - Calder van Andel / The Netherlands

The lively Dutchman (insta: calders_ceramics) loves colourful tableware and presents himself
wonderfully playful with his projects in social media channels. Calder answers our questions:

You are so young, still, how did you build up your amanzing expertise?

Calder: "I learned to make ceramics myself, with the help of YouTube videos, books and practice, practice, practice... I make almost all of my work on a potter’s wheel. To learn this you need to learn certain techniques, which means you have to commit every mistake there possibly is. I still have a lot of old pieces, from when I just started. Looking at them now I can see how much I have learned over the last few years. So if you start with throwing, don’t give up - even if it takes a long time to make something that is worth firing. It’s a long process but it is definitely worth it! There is so many things I don't know to do now, which is the great thing about ceramics: you can keep learning and trying out new techniques all the time. At the moment I’m practising to throw bigger pieces, built out of multiple parts."

Why do you think social media and ceramic are a good match?

Calder: "I’ve been posting pictures and short videos of my ceramics on Instagram for more than 4 years now. And I’ve met a lot of potters all over the world just because of it. Social media can also be a great place to learn from some potters, get inspired by others. On YouTube there are lots of great instructional videos on how to make and decorate ceramics. I had to take a break from making videos myself, because I was in my high school exams, which took a lot of time and energy. But I will be making more videos soon. Social media also is a great place, if you are thinking about selling your works. All of my customers have found me through my channels. Some people might think negative about social media in some aspects, but I can assure you that the pottery community is perfect!"

What are your favourite BOTZ glazes?

Calder: "It's Celadon Green (9304)! It’s a very happy and bright colour. It works great on textured pieces and it’s a very fresh looking, great for dinnerware. I’ve also been experimenting with combining different PRO glazes, which has been great so far. One of my favourite combinations is Carnelian Yellow (9308), with a stripe of Ruby Red (9620) and on top of the red a wider line of Opal White (9301). The white makes the yellow and red blend in nicely. I’ve also been experimenting with the BOTZ underglazes. I’ve used them with the bubble glaze techniques. This is a technique where you mix underglaze, water and soap and blow bubbles with this mixture. This gives an awesome pattern! I have a full tutorial about this on my YouTube channel ;)"

Thank you very much, Calder, best wishes!

DID YOU KNOW YET? - 9541 Gold glaze nice shiny and bright golden

BOTZ users often ask us, how the golden glaze 9541 turns out really bright and shiny golden. Actually quite simple if you follow these rules:

• Apply thickly: 2-3 layers (rather 3, to be honest), let every layer dry thoroughly
• Fire low: max. 1040°C, short or no soak (max. 5 min.)
• Oxygen to the kiln: let oxygen into the kiln during firing by opening valves if possible 
• If no your kiln can't be ventilated: place your objects loosely in the kiln for allowing the air to circulate well

TIME FOR SOMETHING NEW! - BOTZ receipe cards: Ceramics & Food

Decent food always includes remarkable ceramic tableware – thus we created four different recipe cards with instructions for cooking and pottery (with BOTZ colours). We are sorry to say this first edition is only available in German, though if you want them nonetheless, please let us know. Have a digital look here:  pdf . Enjoy trying out & Enjoy the meal!

• Pumpkin-Coconut-Soup
• Root Vegetable-Bowl
• Date-Leek-Dip
• Apple-Cinnamon-Galette

CREATIVE MINDS - Miriam Endrulat - Studio Amun/Hamburg

Studio Amun in Hamburg (www.studioamun.de / insta: studio.amun) is a perfect example for a young studio, which creates a great environment for potters to enjoy working together. The owner, Miriam Endrulat, is happy to answer our nosy questions:

Who are you and how did you arrive at pottery?

Miriam: "I am Miriam together with my partner Ruben, we founded our pottery place „Studio Amun“. We got to know each other at the Unversity of Arts and realised a lot of projects together back then. Ruben took me to pottery starter classes first - straightafter we lent two wheels and started to teach ourselves and try out in our studio next to our studies. We are still friends with our lecturer from the ceramics faculty today - our "Ulla“ has always saved us with her support whenever we've hit a wall or simply had questions. Since July 2020 we are running „Studio Amun“ as part of our atelier in Hamburg–Rothenburg. The name "AMUN" stems from the Egyptian, and reminds of the ancient crafts' traditions - and even sounds great!"

What makes your studio so special with regard to other potteries?

Miriam: "We believe that the joy of pottery should be accessible for everyone in a short timeframe. Working results from our starter classes are really extraordinary also because our training concept allows to finish the created objects in one go. E. g. we use industrial dryers in order to "turn off" teh works on the same day. By this comprehensive way the participants get a much better feeling of how an object needs to be worked on from A to Z."

What's your favourite BOTZ colour?

Miriam: "For us the fact that BOTZ provides such a big product range in brush-on glazes was totally unique and the reason why we almost entirely work with BOTZ products. My favourite colour always changes with regard to the project... but if I was to choose, it would probably be „9450 Transpünktchen“. She is simple and modest for itself and the character of the clay is well preserved, though there's quite a lot happening on the biscuit through these lovely little dots ;)."

What's the greatest thing about having your own pottery studio?

Miriam: "Well, of course it is awesome that you can simply create all ceramics that you are dreaming of just like this, but even more it is being in touch with so many customers, friends, artists every single day. We got to know so many nice people in our workshops, who inspired and pushed us with their skilled feedback. To evoke happiness through pottery, that's maybe the biggest compliment of all... Time to say thank you so much to all our wonderful guests. By the way they keep us afloat during these troubled times at the moment."

Thank you very much, Miriam, all the best to you guys and your Studio Amun!

DID YOU KNOW YET? - Recommended for Tableware

It is maybe the most frequently asked question: How do we correctly understand the BOTZ pictogram „recommended for tableware“? 
Basically all BOTZ products are warning-label free, though this does not necessarily mean that they are all a reasonable choice for creating tableware. There is some glazes who are not completely acid- or alkaline-resistant.
Therefore please apply glazes explicitly recommended for tableware when glazing the inside of tableware vessels/plates. Even with improper application (e. g. too thin layers or too less temperature) these colours remain resistant to acids and alkaline solutions, which we tested in industrial procedures.
The glazes that do not bear the tableware pictogram are of course lead-free and contain other raw materials only in amounts, that do not need to be specifically labelled. However the surface after firing is not entirely homogeneous, so with long-term use as tableware your ceramic piece might not be live to your expectations in terms of durability and lifetime.
Attention: Please don't put earthenware objects (fired up to 1100°C) into the dishwasher. Usually the clay is not sintered enough so chemicals and hot water pressure make the clay soaking humidity which certainly harms the ceramic piece in the long run.  

CREATIVE MINDS - Katharina Pasternak

Talking about tableware...: we would like to introduce Katharina Pasternak. She is a mother of two kids and you find her on Instagram at leelahloves, where she presents a lot of great ideas for decorating home and garden: She paints, cooks, sews, does carpentry, just tries everything out. That's also how she came to doing and loving pottery and e. g. to operate the potter's wheel (and she is glazing with BOTZ of course ;-)) Have a look at her profile, it is definitely worth it…:

Dear Katharina, when did you start doing pottery?

Katharina: "I am actually creating my own potterware for two years now, though it feels like, I had never done anything else! In my job as a decoration stylist I was used to work with a lot of different materials like wood, paper or cloth. Working with clay though is slightly different - I feel like finally I have arrived at 'my' very own substance."

Where or how did you learn to work with ceramics?

Katharina: "Basically I sort of taught myself operating the potter's wheel (..."paid" dearly at the beginning...) and was very grateful for tips and tricks, that I came across in books and online. Meanwhile I am happy to share my experiences and hints regarding pottery and glazes on my DIY- and deco blog leelahloves.de."

What's your favourite BOTZ colour?

Katharina: "9301 Opal White belongs to my particular favourites, because for me it is really hard to find a very gentle and beautiful colour shade of white! In terms of application Opal White is a real allrounder, because I can fire the same BOTZ PRO glaze low and high, which is an important for my works. And it gets so beautifully semi-transparent in high-firing, so I can perfectly use the clays with spots (which I really love) and the spots show perfectly through the glaze."

Thank you very much, Katharina, and enjoy your ceramics!

01.10.2020: DAY-WORKSHOP: High-firing glazes

9./10.10.2020: BASIC WORKSHOP: 1,5 days (few slots still available)

14.10.2020: INSECT HOTELS from ceramics: Natural pottery with Erika Post

27.10.2020: POTTERY CLASSES: Starter

03.11.2020: DAY-WORKSHOP: Creating own tableware

26.11.2020: DAY-WORKSHOP: Working with engobes

19./20.02.2021: BASIC WORKSHOP: 1,5 days