Crafting Studio Glazes: Step Behind the Scenes

At Fireclay, we've always been in our element when pushing the boundaries of ceramic design. Innovation and a deep appreciation for the nuanced beauty of our materials are at the core of everything we do. Our new Studio Glazes are a vibrant testament to this ethos, embracing the stunning unpredictability of the kiln to create tiles where no two are exactly alike. These expressive glazes, with their rich color variation and artisan characteristics, represent a return to our fundamental love of clay and the transformative power of fire.

To truly understand the artistry and dedication behind this collection, we sat down with our Innovation Team, the craftspeople who brought these glazes to life. Join us as we go behind the scenes with Mark Bell, Director of Innovation, and his team, to explore the inspiration, the process, and the passion that make Studio Glaze so uniquely special.

Meet Mark:

Hi! I’m Mark Bell, Director of Innovation at Fireclay Tile. I lead our Ceramic Engineering team across both our Spokane and Aromas facilities, where we focus on product development, process innovation, and quality assurance. My role is all about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in ceramics—developing new ideas, refining production methods, and ensuring every tile meets our standards for excellence.

What sparked the initial inspiration for these uniquely varied glazes?

Ceramics is such a rich and historic medium, and that history was a major inspiration for us. We drew from traditional glazes and techniques from around the world—Chinese oil spot glazes from the Ming Dynasty, Japanese wood-fired pottery, Shino glazes, and even Raku. These ancient methods reminded us that there are no limits to what's possible with ceramic surfaces.

Can you describe the journey of a Studio Glaze tile through the creation process?

This process really pushed us outside our comfort zone. We started by developing a base glaze that offered both a strong surface and the freedom for oxides to express themselves in unique ways. With our Original Ceramic line, we typically use stains to stabilize the glaze. For Studio Glazes, we went back to raw materials—Red Iron Oxide, Manganese Oxide, and more.

These oxides became the foundation for color and variation. We tested hundreds of formulas using line blends, slowly shifting oxide levels to explore a wide spectrum of effects. Wesley, our ceramic engineer, really dove into the process. I’d come in every morning to stacks of new samples on my desk. Together, we reviewed them daily for defects like pinholing or crawling. Once we felt confident, we presented the full palette to Marketing—where the most variable glazes always drew the most attention. Then we scaled it for production.

What’s the most surprising or delightful outcome you’ve witnessed in the kiln with these glazes?

Honestly, one of the most delightful moments is watching the team gather around when the kiln opens. Even our seasoned production team—who’ve seen it all—paused to take in the results. That kind of excitement and engagement was contagious.

Of course, there were challenges too. We learned quickly that application technique had a huge impact on variation. There were some struggles early on, but we worked through them as a team, incorporating feedback from every department.

What level of artistic intuition comes into play when formulating these complex glazes?

It’s definitely a balance. Scientific rigor is essential—especially to ensure repeatability, even in a highly variable product. Wesley spent long nights running tests, dialing in the chemistry. Once we had solid data, the artistic intuition came into play—especially in conversations with Marketing. Understanding their creative vision and translating it into a workable glaze formula required a lot of back-and-forth collaboration.

What does it mean to you to create a tile where no two are exactly alike?

It’s honestly a little scary! For years, we’ve focused on consistency and reliability. Customers trust that what they see in a showroom is what they’ll get in their order. With Studio Glazes, we had to set that mindset aside and embrace unpredictability—trusting the kiln to leave its mark on every tile. It was a big leap, but one that allowed us to create something truly special.

How do you approach the inherent unpredictability of these high-variation glazes?

We still lean heavily into the science. Even with high variation, there’s a kind of predictability in how different oxide combinations behave. We track everything—firing conditions, oxide levels, glaze thickness—using data to understand the “species within the genus” of each glaze. But ceramics will always keep you humble. Not every batch turns out exactly as expected, and that’s okay—we’re prepared.

What are some of the unique techniques or extra steps involved in crafting Studio Glazes?

One big one is working with Red Iron Oxide. It’s a beautiful but tricky material—it acts as a natural flocculant, which affects glaze viscosity. We had to introduce a few extra steps during glaze preparation to ensure consistency across our glaze lines. Those adjustments were critical for production success.

What do you hope people feel when they experience a space tiled with Studio Glaze?

I want people to feel inspired by the material. I hope these glazes spark curiosity and creativity—whether it’s a designer, homeowner, or architect. I want them to think, “What else can Fireclay do?” and see us as a leader in ceramic design and craftsmanship. Studio Glazes are meant to celebrate individuality, and we hope that spirit comes through in every space.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of bringing this collection to life?

Seeing the entire team come together around this project has been the most rewarding part. Everyone—from Wesley working tirelessly on formulation, to Juan Carlos refining production specs, to our glaze line operators, logistics crew, and scheduling team—played a part. And of course, the marketing team’s incredible effort to tell the story and bring this to the world. Fireclay has always been about people, and this collection is a direct reflection of that shared passion and teamwork.