Recreate this distinctive dappled finish using Abbots Gold Dust, Abbots Rutile Blue, and Abbots Pistachio.

Glaze layering system

:  Abbots Gold Dust, Abbots Rutile Blue, & Abbots Pistachio

What you’ll need: 

A fun layering project that’ll leave you with a stunning finish! Here’s everything you need to recreate it:

• Abbots Gold Dust Brushable Glaze
• Abbots Rutile Blue Brushable Glaze
• Abbots Pistachio Brushable Glaze
• A bisque-fired piece (bisque-fired means the clay has been through its first firing, making it porous enough to absorb glaze)
• A soft brush (something that can hold a reasonable amount of glaze)
• 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 Gold Dust

Apply Coat 1

Before you open your jar of Gold Dust, give it a really good shake! 

Grab your brush and get started by applying the first coat.

If you’re using a banding wheel, place your piece in the center of the wheelhead and get it spinning at a good clip. 

Next, coat your brush with glaze and, with a steady hand, gently ease the loaded brush onto the spinning bisque, allowing the glaze to flow down the brush. 

Apply to both the inside and outside of the pot, working your way down until you have an even first coat. Thickness really matters here. Each coat should have good coverage, rather than just hiding the surface of the bisque. Feel free to experiment with different thicknesses to find your preferred outcome - the best ones are unique to you. 

Allow time for the coat to dry before applying the next one. This should be less than a minute for your first coat. 

Bonus tip: if you find your bisque is particularly absorbent, try adjusting a small amount of glaze with a few drops of Abbots Universal Medium in a small bowl and use it to apply the first coat. Apply the second coat at full strength.

Apply Coat 2



Apply the second coat of Gold Dust to the inside and outside of the pot. 

If you’re using a banding wheel, try supporting the hand holding a brush with your other hand - this will help you remain steady!
Allow the coat to dry. Again, this should be fairly quick as the bisque is still absorbing glaze easily. 

✨ Step 2 ~ Middle glaze: Apply 2 coats of Abbots Rutile Blue

Apply Coat 1

As with the base glaze, give Rutile Blue (your middle glaze) a good shake before opening. 

Apply the first coat of Rutile Blue to the inside and outside of the pot, just like you did for the base glaze. 

Allow to dry before moving to the second coat - these ones will start to take a little longer, but don’t panic! 

You’re doing really well! 

Apply Coat 2

Once the first coat has dried, apply the second coat of Rutile Blue. 

Allow your piece to dry - we have one more glaze to go!

✨ Step 3 ~ Top glaze: Apply 2 coats of Abbots Pistachio 

Apply Coat 1

Give Abbots Pistachio a good shake before opening. 

Apply the first coat of Pistachio to the inside and outside of the pot. 

Allow to dry before moving to the second coat. You will notice that each successive coat takes longer to dry. If you’re impatient like me (and just about every other potter on the planet), you can blast your piece with a heat gun or hair dryer to fast-track drying time. 

Apply Coat 2

Once the first coat has dried, apply the second coat of Pistachio.

Allow your piece to dry before firing.

Step 4 ~ Firing 

Wipe any glaze drips from the underside of your piece before firing.

Fire to Cone 6 (~1200C) in an electric kiln. 

You can find a suggested firing schedule here. 

✨ Notes & suggestions

This combination also works well without Rutile Blue as a middle glaze. For a more dramatic dapple, try using Gold Dust x 2 coats (base glaze) and Pistachio x 2 coats (top glaze).  This look is stunning as it is, but feel free to substitute other glazes and try your own effects. Also, switching up the order will uncover different variations. Have fun!

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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