Create a stunning “breaking waves” effect with just two glazes. This beginner-friendly combo uses Abbots Ivory Flux and Chun Blue to produce flowing, ocean-like movement with soft foam-like highlights—perfect for bowls, plates, and textured surfaces
Glaze combination shown: Abbots Ivory Flux Brushable Glaze and Abbots Chun Blue Brushable Glaze fired at Cone 6 in electric kiln.
Why this combo works
Ivory Flux is a very active, fluid glaze that encourages movement during firing. When layered underneath Chun Blue, it helps push and shift the top glaze as it melts.
Chun Blue naturally breaks over edges and pools in recesses, creating variation in tone. Together, these glazes produce soft transitions, deeper blue pooling, and lighter “sea foam” effects where the glaze thins.
See this combo on our socials! <Instagram link>
What you’ll need:
A quick, easy combo that only requires two glazes!
-
A bisque-fired piece - we've used a white porcelain piece
-
A soft brush - if you’re glazing plates, the wider the brush the better!
-
Banding wheel, potter’s wheel, or lazy susan (optional)
-
Access to an electric kiln (firing to Cone 6)
Step-by-step
Step 1 ~ Base glaze: Apply 2 coats of Abbots Ivory Flux
Mix the base glaze
Your first job is to give the base glaze (Ivory Flux) a good ol’ mix.
As you can see by the contents of the jar, this glaze is one of my favourites!
Apply Coat 1
Once you’re done mixing, it's time to apply the first coat of Ivory Flux. The first coat can often feel a bit patchy and dry on the bisque, but don’t worry! It gets easier from here on out.
Allow time for the coat to dry before applying the next.
Bonus tip: add a little Abbots Universal Medium to your first coat to make application a breeze.
Apply Coat 2
Apply the second coat of Ivory Flux.
Focus on nice, even brush strokes. Placing your piece on a banding wheel, if you have one, can help with this.
Allow the coat to dry.
✨ Step 2 ~ Top glaze: Apply 2 coats of Abbots Chun Blue
Mix the top glaze
It’s time to break out the Chun Blue and give it a thorough stirring.
It even looks pretty before it’s fired!
Apply Coat 1
Apply the first coat of Chun Blue. Allow it to dry before moving on to the second coat. You’re doing really well!
Apply Coat 2
Let’s put that brush to work and apply the final coat. Allow your piece to dry before firing.
✨ Step 3 ~ Firing
Check the underside of your piece for any pesky glaze drips (they always sneak in somehow!).
Fire to Cone 6 in an electric kiln.
You can find a suggested firing schedule here.
You can find a suggested firing schedule here.
What to expect
- Soft blue tones that deepen where the glaze pools
- Light, milky breaks over edges and texture
- Flowing, organic movement reminiscent of waves
Results will vary depending on glaze thickness, clay body, and kiln conditions.
✨ Notes & suggestions
This combination also works well with Chun Blue as the base glaze and Ivory Flux as the top glaze.
Why not make up a few test tiles to see which combo you prefer?
If, like me, you also fall in love with Chun Blue, Abbots also makes this as a dipping glaze.
Join Abbots Glaze on socials!
For glaze process tutorials, tips and inspiration, join us on Instagram.
To connect with fellow Abbots Glaze enthusiasts and find inspiration for your next project, join the Abbots Glaze Lab Facebook group.
About the author:
A self-confessed glaze nerd, Amy is a content creator for Abbots Glaze on a mission to get people excited about glazing! When she’s not making reels or testing new glaze recipes, you can find Amy making pots in her pottery studio, Palmerston North. You can follow Amy’s work on Instagram @fettlepotterynz