Chun Plum Over Smokey Merlot

Very simple yet effective combo by Shelley McQueen

The Chun Plum over Smokey Merlot combination by Shelley McQueen really does create a fresh and vivid purple! The heart-shaped and round dishes in the photo show the effect beautifully—the edges have a slightly warmer, wine-red break where the glaze thins, while the center pools into that luminous, intense purple. On a bright white clay body like Blackwattle Snow White, the colors stay vibrant and clean.

The combo uses:

• Clay body: Blackwattle Snow White Clay
• AMACO Smokey Merlot x3
• AMACO Chun Plum x3
• Fired to Cone 5 with a 30-minute hold

The result is a smooth, rich surface with a deep, almost glowing violet hue. The reddish undertones of Smokey Merlot seem to warm up the cooler purple of Chun Plum, giving the pieces a layered depth and subtle variation.

Credit: Shelley McQueen