I’m horrified! Several of my pieces glazed with a clear glaze have what is called crazing – small hairline cracks that appear in the clear glaze giving a crackle effect. Not the intended result!
The crazing does happen to pottery over time but I just fired these in September. The causes, which can be numerous, are unknown to me at this time; although, I suspect it may be do to a kiln snafu.
Though the crackle effect was not intended some customers like the look. I do not recommend these pieces for food use but can be used a lovely decorative piece.
Live and learn, right? 🙂
A note about crazing: Any and all glazes will craze over time. Functional pottery suffers a lot from heavy use – hot water, cold water, in and out of the microwave and dishwasher. Whether or not you should continue to use pottery that has some crazing is debated among potters. Some claim the tiny cracks weaken pottery. Others say tiny cracks can harbor bacteria. Then there are others who say don’t worry about it. I tend to like the ‘don’t worry about it’ school of thought. 🙂 Simply examine the pottery from time to time and judge for yourself whether or not to continue using the pottery. My favorite coffee mug has been in use for 15 years and still going strong; crazed and all! 🙂
Back Porch Studio 
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