Home Page for Leon B., Potter

Pottery has been my hobby for the last three decades, and here is a photo of some of my work. It includes two triangle vases, a plate with cut edges, and a tea bowl, all fired in a wood-burning kiln.

My specialty is crystalline glazes, and this vase is a sample of the technique. The crystals are grown on the pot by special control of the temperature while it is in the kiln. For samples of my crystalline work, click here. For my article on how to achieve red crystals, see the December 1996 issue of "Studio Potter" magazine. For additional photos of my work, see "Macro-Crystalline Glazes" by Peter Ilsley, The Crowood Press Ltd., 1999

My recent work involved making replicas of Near East Iron Age pots for the Skirball Cultural Center, on Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles. They are buried in a simulated "Dig" to instruct school children and other visitors in archaeological excavation and evaluation. The samples shown here include jars, juglets, jugs, a cooking pot, a beer strainer, a chalice, a pilgrim flask, and an oil lamp.

If you want to learn more about pottery, here are some interesting websites to visit:

• Periodic Table This is a must if you mix your own glazes and need information on element atomic weights, melting points, etc.

• The Ceramics Web A wealth of ceramics and glaze data from San Diego State University.

• World of Ceramics Contains links to many ceramics web sites.

• Search Engines A site which provides easy access to most search engines on the web, as well as other available web sites. Look under the Search Section.

• ACS Design Chapter The new home page of the Southern California Section, Design Chapter of the American Ceramic Society. Includes information on upcoming workshops and events, how to join, and how to access their extensive video library.

For further information, contact me at my email address:
leon.bush@csun.edu