Featured Question

Good Morning,

This will seem like an off the wall question. I run an Etsy vintage store. I moved into a 1912 home with built in china cabinets about a year ago. I placed many of my pieces in these cabinets. I just sold a ceramic piece and when cleaning it up to get ready to ship, I noticed crazing. I look every piece over carefully when I list them. When I listed this piece months ago, there was no crazing. When cleaning it, it now has light crazing. I'm perplexed. The built in china cabinet sits against a wall that catches all the wind and we have had a sudden temperature change here in Ohio. When I pulled this piece out, I noticed it was very cold. This is the only reason I can think of as to why this happened. I can't get a picture of the crazing unfortunately, it's very light. It's a low fired ceramic butter dish. Would that be the reason?
Can you please give me your thoughts?
Thank you, Crystal

 

Generally speaking, crazing occurs when the body(clay) and the glaze expand and contract at different rates such as in cooling.

 

Just wondering, while cleaning, did you rinse it under warmish water while it was cold just out of the cabinet?

 

Can you find another nice place to display your ceramics? With a more constant temperature, and not near an outer wall? You could still save some pieces that way.

 

I wonder if there would be a way to line the cabinets? Just to keep the wind out

 

Is your home insulated? Many older homes lack sufficient (if any) insulation. My home is 57 years old and I had a similar problem behind my kitchen cabinets. A corner cabinet has two outside walls in the back. In the winter, it was cold enough to use as a refrigerator.

 

No, I didn't place it in an water, just used a microfiber cloth to dust it off

 

It's insulated, but we received a fast windy cold snap. This cabinet faces that wall.

 

I am going to try to do that, but with over 550 pieces up for sale, this is going to be a challenge.

 

I thought that is what is was. Low fired is more susceptible right?