John Hesselberth

John Hesselberth is a retired chemical engineer who first had a 30 year career in industrial research. His pottery experience goes back over 25 years when he learned to throw after having built a kick wheel for his wife, Judy. Pottery remained a hobby until he retired from industry in 1996 and he has been building his pottery skills full time since then. He is a juried member of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen and he has authored articles for both Clay Times and Ceramics Monthly. His interest in glaze chemistry grew when he realized that some of the glazes studio potters were using were not very durable in use--including one on a pot he gave to his mother-in-law. After several years of independent research and study he developed a strong friendship with a Canadian potter, Ron Roy who had similar interests and concerns. Together they decided to write a book to try to help potters formulate more durable and attractive glazes. That book--Mastering Cone 6 Glazes-- was first published in 2002 and has become a classic in the world of pottery glaze books. Those 2 guys in the photo at the right are John (left) and Ron. The smiles are the result of the martinis we are holding below the bottom of the photo. We had just finished a long day of evaluating the glazes that are in the book and decided we needed to relax. The photographer was my wife, Judy.