Helena area stoneware slip glazes

Land surrounding Helena, Montana, was explored for clay and sands for us as stoneware glasses.Samples were collect-ed from serveral areas and from different types of locations, such as lake and river banks, read cuts and rocky hill sides.A Map is included which shows the main areas explored and locations from which successful samples were taken.The sample were fired at cone 9 cone and cone 10 to discover their potential use as glasses.Those which appeared to pos-sess suitable color and texture possibilities were selected for further testing.When alteration of the color or texture appeared desirable or necessary, natural or commeically refined material was added.As a result of the tests a stoneware glaze palette with color ranging from tan to black and texture ranging from shiny to matt was obtained.This palette is suitable for re-duction firing.A limited stoneware glass palette suitable for oxidation firing was also obtained.Information concern-ing the formulas, firing tempatures, and results of the tests are recorded in the form of data sheets.A number of colored alides of test cups and pots glazed with the natural glasses are also included.HBtaNA AREA ammrmA @ L%p .G&azss