Crazy crazing?!

I have a dilemma here with product compatability.  I feel that the best way to solve this problem is to put it out there for the experts, or the experienced ceramic gurus...

Background of issue: 

Products we are using are:  Laguna Clay (White EM330), Mayco Stroke & Coat Wonderglaze for Bisque and Duncan Pure Brilliance Glaze (Clear).

My students utilize the Laguna Clay to create their own personal masterpieces which then are allowed to dry to Bone Dry state (min 72 hrs).  The pieces then are fired to cone 06 and then allowed to cool before removing from kiln (min 24 hrs).  Students return and utilize the Mayco Paint to decorate their pieces.  We then apply two coats of the Duncan glaze and allow 24 hrs of drying time.  The pieces then are final fired to cone 04 and then allowed to cool before removing from kiln (min 24 hrs).  Upon removing pieces from the final firing we allow them to acclimate in the garage space before bringing them into the air conditioned studio.  We are noticing crazing the moment they come out of the kiln and only increasing as the pieces cool.  The photos below reflect what is occurring (click on photos for enlargement).

At the point, we've researched and the best method of solving this problem is that we need to either modify the clay or the glaze.  This modification method that we have read about in numerous articles and blogs requires adding or deleting components of either product (ie. silica, aluminum...).  We are uncomfortable modifying premanufactured products (clay/glaze) that have worked well on the bisque products.  So in other words, the clay fires fine, the glaze works perfect on the bisque (no crazing) and the paint looks fantastic on all products.  What do you recommend at this point? 

Options that we are going to test: 

1.  Fire glazed clay pieces today at cone 06 in lieu of cone 04.
2.  Purchase Mayco glaze (clear) and utilize over Mayco paints.
3.  Switch clay to either a different brand, different color, or a different firing temperature (high vs low).

Help me out here.  What do all you atists recommend?

Four GREAT kids

Brook worked tirelessly on The Eiffel Tower.

Skyler knew exactly what he wanted.  He dictated it to him mom, Kim, who lovingly created it perfectly.

Brice has so much energy.  yet when it was time for class, he focused all that wonderful energy into his project.  Check out his awesome shield below.

Sarah was very focused on her bowl.  She asked for help when needed and ended up with ONE awesome Peace bowl.

I didn't get a picture of Tiffany.  She made the Smurf plaque above.  She is amazing and has many talents.  Patience is definitely one of them.  She made this plaque 4 times before she got it just right.

I've been busy casting new pieces from El Paso for the last three days.  Dave and I make a great team.  I prepare the mold by cleaning it and banding it up and he mixes the slip and pours the molds.  Then, together, we take the molds apart to see the magic.

Dave said the other day that it is like Christmas for me when we open the molds.  And he is right.  I just love to see the end result.  It makes me feel like a kid again. Weeeee!!!

new treasures

Dave and I worked in the studio this morning to cast some molds before it got too hot.  Well, that didn't last long.  It was 115 degrees today!  Man was IT. Hot!  We got through some of the newest additions before we had to call it quits.  There is some pretty cute stuff out there.  We have a baseball player, a football player, quite a few small pots, a turtle pot, a mushroom pot, mushroom salt & pepper shakers...and the list goes on and on.

It is so fun to uncover the treasures.  We are going at it again tomorrow morning to see how much we can do before we faint from the heat.  Wish us luck...

More Changes

It has been SO. HOT. here...113 degrees today!!!  Yikes!  I am so glad we have a pool.  Phoenix in the summer is like a giant oven.  Even at night ~ MIDnight~ it is still 97 degrees.  It just doesn't cool off here in the summer.  That said, I haven't been out in the studio AT all in the past two weeks.  It's just TOO hot.  I've been working inside.  I have had pottery classes and paint-a-piece classes to attend to, which is great.  I LOVE working with people and showing them they too have a creative side.  Most people come here and say they aren't creative.  Pooey!  Everybody is creative.  You just have to relax and let it out.  If you look at past posts, you'll see lots of creativity swirling around.  It is so fun to watch the transformation.

SO!  Anyway, I worked on my blog for most of today, revamping it.  Then this afternoon, Dave and I brought some bisqueware inside from the studio to display on our new shelves in the classroom.  What do ya think?  I am so excited to have products insided so people can be enticed into wanting to paint something.  I mean, really.  Isn't that how the stores do it?  They put their merchandise right in front of your nose at the check-out.  Then before long, your dd or ds is holding it and asking to paint it and before long, you can't hold out any longer.  Wa-la!  You and your child are painting a piece.  Yay!!!  That's how I want it to go.  :o)