<p>When you pull your clay into the cylinder you want, scrape off the excess moisture/slip on the outside of the cylinder with a rib. Apply the sodium silicate solution with a paintbrush (to your turning cylinder) where you want the crackles. The heavier the application the larger the crackles (1 coat = fine crackles, etc.) Then dry the sodium silicate on the outside of the cylinder with a heat gun, hairdryer, or torch while turning until dry to the touch. Then push out/stretch the clay from the inside of the cylinder to form your piece.</p>
<p>If your crackles are tiny, you might try drying it a little bit more before stretching again.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-01-12T02:45:21.143Z
2022-01-12T02:45:21.143Z
anongoodnurse
<p>How do I properly apply sodium silicate to a ceramic bowl to achieve the type of effect seen in the image below? I know that I need to apply it after I have opened the hole in the bowl on the wheel, but then what are the next steps?</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/OXN2L.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/OXN2L.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-12-20T16:50:41.140Z
Hi Joachim it is my photo. I purchased this pot some years ago and I'm trying to replicate the effect on the outside of the pot.
Cory Hom-Weaver
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-12-20T17:16:47.907Z
Okay, thank you for the update :)
Joachim
<ceramics><technique-application>
How do you apply sodium silicate to a ceramic bowl to achieve a cracked effect?
Cory Hom-Weaver
# How do you apply sodium silicate to a ceramic bowl to achieve a cracked effect?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-12-17)

How do I properly apply sodium silicate to a ceramic bowl to achieve the type of effect seen in the image below? I know that I need to apply it after I have opened the hole in the bowl on the wheel, but then what are the next steps?

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/OXN2L.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/OXN2L.jpg)

**Tags:** ceramics, technique-application

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Hi username_1 it is my photo. I purchased this pot some years ago and I'm trying to replicate the effect on the outside of the pot.  
> **username_1**: Okay, thank you for the update :)  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2022-01-12. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

When you pull your clay into the cylinder you want, scrape off the excess moisture/slip on the outside of the cylinder with a rib. Apply the sodium silicate solution with a paintbrush (to your turning cylinder) where you want the crackles. The heavier the application the larger the crackles (1 coat = fine crackles, etc.) Then dry the sodium silicate on the outside of the cylinder with a heat gun, hairdryer, or torch while turning until dry to the touch. Then push out/stretch the clay from the inside of the cylinder to form your piece.

If your crackles are tiny, you might try drying it a little bit more before stretching again.


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