Glaze or Gloss

— Choose Your Finish

Our kit includes real studio-grade earthenware clay and both finishing options so you can decide how you want your piece to live.

A note on materials: We use studio-grade low-fire clay as our kit standard. This provides the perfect balance of usability (less breakages!) and quality. Clay Bag (low-fire), Glaze (60 ml studio clear glaze, low fire), and Gloss (60 ml water-resistant clear gloss varnish that does not require firing). We're honest about the trade-offs so you can choose the finish that best fits your needs.

Glaze (Fired)

For authentic true ceramic durability & quality that's food-safe — pieces require two kiln firings (bisque to Cone 04, then glaze to Cone 06). This produces a warm beige/cream colour when fired, a true glass-like surface, and vibrant opaque underglaze colours. Best for mugs, bowls, anything for food/drink and everyday functional use. You're creating functional art that could last a lifetime!

We recommend this finish where possible.
See our Find-A-Kiln page.

Gloss (Air-Dry)

A glossy water-resistant clear varnish that doesn't need firing but still offers an almost glass like finish. Your piece stays at home, avoids kiln logistics, and is great for decorative objects or an easy date-night desire to make. It remains more fragile, keeps a natural light grey clay colour (wet clay is a lot darker grey than bone-dry), and underglazes won't develop their fired brightness.

Glossed pieces should be hand-washed only and require a 4-day cure for full strength and water resistance.

Both finishes are included in the kit — labelled on-pack as Clay Bag, Glaze, and Gloss — with full guides and a Find-a-Kiln resource to help with firing.

At a Glance: Glaze vs Gloss

Feature	Glaze	Gloss
Process	Dry → bisque fire → glaze → glaze fire	Dry → apply varnish → cure
Requires kiln?	Yes	No
Timeline	2–6 weeks (dependant)	10d+ drying, 28d curing
Clay colour	Cream	Light grey
Underglaze result	Bright, vibrant	Remains as applied (can use acrylics)
Surface	True authentic glass-like ceramics	Almost glass-like, water-resistant but less durable
Food & drink safe	Yes	No (dry food only)
Dishwasher / microwave	No	No
Durability	Extremely durable; lasts decades	More likely to chip/wear; shorter lifespan
Risk of kiln breakage	Present (moisture/trapped air can cause cracks/explosions)	None (never leaves your home)
Typical cost (1kg clay)	Varies (see below)	Included in kit

Note: Cost and schedules vary wildly by location and operator. Our Find-a-Kiln guide explains typical pricing models (per piece, shelf space, or weight) and how to confirm before drop-off. We don't have affiliations with local kilns and can't guarantee pricing or schedules.

The Glaze Option — What to Expect

Why choose it: Authentic ceramic results — food & drink safe, durable, professional quality. Underglazes develop bright, opaque colours when fired and the clay takes on a warm cream tone. Transforms your piece into a true functional piece of art.

What it involves: Dry fully → bisque fire to Cone 04 → apply our studio clear glaze → glaze fire to Cone 06. You'll likely work with a local kiln operator or studio for firings.

Timeline & logistics: Because firing depends on kiln availability, allow roughly 2–6 weeks in many places. Each firing cycle itself takes hours plus cooldown time.

Risks: Firing always carries risks (cracking, explosions, glaze runs). Following our Firing & Glazing Guide and the kiln operator's instructions reduces risk, but it cannot be eliminated. Typically if your piece survives bisque firing, it'll survive the glaze firing. Smaller pieces are also far less likely to have issues.

Result: Durable, glass-like finish with vibrant fired underglaze colours — the reason we created the kit.

The Gloss Option — What to Expect

Why choose it: No kiln needed. Your piece never leaves your hands, so no firing logistics and no firing risk. Ideal for decorative pieces, date-night projects, or when you simply want a self-contained experience.

What it involves: Dry fully (10+ days) → apply multiple thin coats of Gloss as instructed → allow a 4-day curing period for maximum hardness.

Timeline: Expect 14+ days from making to full Gloss maturity (drying + application + 4-day cure).

Limitations: The clay remains porous beneath the varnish. Glossed pieces are not food-safe for liquids or long contact, dishwasher/microwave safe, and are more likely to chip or wear with heavy use. Studio underglazes will not attain the fired colours — acrylic paints are an option for Glossed pieces only.

Result: A lovely, water-resistant decorative finish that's safe to handle and display, but with limited long-term durability compared to fired glaze.

Important Practical Notes

Once Glossed, you cannot fire the piece. The varnish will burn and can damage a kiln. Decide before you apply any surface treatment.

Kiln finding & cost: See our Find-a-Kiln resource for tips (local studios, community centres, showroom/co-op spaces, kilnshare.com, Facebook groups). Expect firing fees to vary — we include a rough ballpark but encourage confirming with your chosen operator.

We include both finishes intentionally. We want to make real clay accessible without forcing a single path: try the Gloss for a low-commitment start, then fire favourite pieces when you're ready.

Our Recommendation

If you can access a kiln, we recommend the Glaze (fired) finish — it's the truest expression of the craft and the reason we made the kit. If kiln access is impossible or you prefer a self-contained, immediate experience, the Gloss is an excellent, beautiful alternative for decorative work.