Crazing

by Olivia Burton.

Cracks in the glaze surface caused by a glaze that contracts more than the clay body. The cracks may be emphasized for decorative effect by rubbing ink or some other stain into them (do not do this to the inside of a food vessel.) Just after firing the web of cracks will be larger and more open; as the piece continues to cool more cracks will form, creating a finer mesh. You can hear the pieces "ting", "ping" and "tzing" as they cool and the glaze cracks.