Ancient Jasper, Seaweed and Oatmeal over Storm

Glaze Combination Overview

Ancient Jasper, Seaweed and Oatmeal over Storm is a Cone 6 glaze combination that builds complexity through layering rather than relying on a single dominant glaze. Applied on Laguna 5 clay, Storm forms the foundation, Seaweed introduces rich green tones, Ancient Jasper adds lighter mineral-like variation, and Oatmeal softens the upper areas with warm cream highlights. Together, these glazes create a surface that moves between deep blue-green shadows and lighter earthy tones.

Each glaze contributes a specific function to the final result. Storm provides depth and establishes the darkest areas of the composition. Seaweed develops the dominant green coloration and creates much of the visual movement across the surface. Ancient Jasper breaks over the darker layers, introducing cream, tan, and golden variations that resemble weathered stone or natural mineral deposits. Oatmeal completes the combination by brightening selected areas and creating contrast near the rim.

How the glazes Develop During Firing

Storm acts as the structural base glaze. Its dark blue and charcoal tones remain visible beneath the upper layers and help define the overall character of the piece.

Seaweed reacts over this darker foundation, producing layered greens with subtle variation. Where the glaze overlaps Storm, the colors deepen and gain additional complexity. The interaction between these two glazes creates much of the depth visible across the mug.

Ancient Jasper introduces lighter breaks and surface variation. During firing, it develops cream, tan, and golden accents that contrast with the darker greens below. Rather than covering the underlying glazes, Ancient Jasper allows portions of them to remain visible, creating a more dynamic layered effect.

Oatmeal serves as the highlight glaze in this combination. Applied thickly near the rim, it develops soft cream and honey-colored tones that break gently over edges and textured areas.

The lighter Oatmeal layer balances the darker body of the piece and creates a visual transition toward the rim. This contrast helps frame the composition and gives the surface greater depth without overwhelming the colors created by Seaweed, Storm, and Ancient Jasper.

Why This Glaze Combination Works

Ancient Jasper, Seaweed and Oatmeal over Storm works because each glaze performs a different role. Storm provides depth and structure, Seaweed contributes the dominant green movement, Ancient Jasper creates mineral-like variation, and Oatmeal adds highlights and contrast. Fired to Cone 6 on Laguna 5 clay, the combination produces a layered surface with green, blue, cream, and golden tones that remain visually interesting from every angle.

Glazing Details

Without Ancient Jasper, the mug would likely look much more blue-green and much less natural.

Without Seaweed, you’d mostly have a blue mug with some cream highlights.

Oatmeal works almost like sunlight in this combination. Without Oatmeal, the upper section would appear darker and heavier.

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If I had to summarize in one sentence:

Storm provides the ocean, Ancient Jasper provides the earth, Seaweed provides the vegetation, and Oatmeal provides the light. That’s why the mug feels so balanced – the four glazes are doing very different jobs instead of competing for the same visual space.

Credit: Beth Sue