Five Glaze was born from a simple belief: every potter deserves access to reliable, customizable glazes without the intimidation factor. We're empowering ceramic artists to create exactly what they envision.

Founded by studio owner Rainy and glaze scientist Ella, Five Glaze combines creative vision with scientific precision to deliver dry batch glaze systems that make custom color development accessible, affordable, and exciting for potters at every level.

Meet the Founders

Rainy is the creative force and studio owner behind Fifth Street Studio in Bentonville, Arkansas. Since opening in 2018, she's been on a mission to make ceramics accessible in her community while building programs that serve both beginners and advanced potters.

Ella is our glaze scientist and formulation expert. With twelve years of ceramics experience spanning production work for coffee shops and restaurants to advanced glaze development, she brings both artistic sensibility and scientific rigor to every Five Glaze formula.

A Conversation with Rainy and Ella

How did you two meet and end up starting Five Glaze together?

Rainy: We met through ceramics! We both were working in ceramics and admired each other from afar then in 2023 Ella began teaching at Fifth Street Studio and helping to build our advanced curriculum, lending her expertise to our programs.

Ella: Rainy and I have actually orbited each other's spheres of influence for about a decade before working together more intentionally. I've watched Rainy grow her business over time and admired her focus and drive. When I moved back to Northwest Arkansas in 2023, I reached out about teaching opportunities at Fifth Street Studio.

What specific frustrations led you to create Five Glaze?

Rainy: We wanted to find glazes that were reliable and worked in a studio setting, providing more fun and modern colors while also letting us do custom colors as needed seasonally.

Ella: When I was doing production work, I had frustrations with the commercial glaze products available. I wanted more control over the pigment, finish, and amounts I could access. I also wanted affordable options without having to carry a full chemical inventory.

What was the "aha moment" that sparked Five Glaze?

Rainy: The studio desperately needed more reliable and affordable glazes, and Ella stepped up to formulate them. They were too good not to share with the world!

Ella: I taught a custom glaze class in April 2024 to show my students how to create custom colors using different base glazes. When the class completed, my students really wanted access to a powdered base glaze formula where they could experiment with adding colorants without having to create the base glaze from scratch.

How do your different strengths complement each other?

Rainy: I'm the creative, brand-driven side and functional pottery tester, while Ella is the glaze scientist who spends her time formulating all sorts of glazes.

Ella: I focus on glaze formulation, fulfillment, and operations. My strength is being able to pay attention to details, develop unique chemistry, and implement systems. Having Rainy by my side has made everything easier - I've always wanted to start a manufacturing business, but the missing puzzle piece was my partnership with Rainy.

What problems are you trying to solve for potters?

Rainy: I wanted to make glaze chemistry more accessible and approachable for new potters, as well as affordable and storage efficient for practicing potters.

Ella: I wanted to see other potters find their own autonomy and agency that comes when you have control over your glazes. I found that a lot of potters are intimidated by base glaze formulation but are excited about adding colorants to pre-formulated bases.

Why is education such a big part of Five Glaze?

Rainy: Our product is a bit unconventional - you can take it and use your own colors or test different combinations. We want to make sure it's easy to use and clear for our customers, bringing them behind the curtain so they can understand what's happening in their glaze.

Ella: Over the past year and a half, I've really come to love being an art educator. It's a way to empower others and grow the community. Even when you show someone your own way, they always add their own unique twist!

What do you want customers to feel when they use Five Glaze?

Rainy: Happy! Obviously we want them to love the colors and finishes as much as we do, and be surprised by how simple it is to get into mixing your own glazes.

Ella: I want customers to feel first and foremost "at ease" and able to trust the process because of our transparency. I want potters to feel supported and like we "got their back." I also want them to feel empowered.

Any fun facts about your glazing experiments?

Rainy: I've been on a personal mission to find the perfect melted strawberry ice cream pink color in a glaze, and I think we achieved this with Foxglove! It's one of my favorites and has been in my brain for over 5 years.

Ella: I have over a thousand glaze test tiles that I've developed over the past two years. I love testing! I also have a spreadsheet system that helps me stay organized.

What's your favorite success story so far?

Rainy: One of our very first adopters of the glaze is now our intern helping us test new colors and fulfill orders. She believed in us from the very beginning.

Ella: We have a member who, for years, had wanted to develop their own colors but didn't want to create the base glaze themselves. When we got product on the shelves at Fifth Street, she bought several bags and has been experimenting with her own colorants ever since! It's been a delight to watch her get the perfect hue of green, red, and purple that she wanted.

Where do you see Five Glaze in five years?

Rainy: We'd like to see our glazes in use by many home potters, professional potters, and studios alike.

Ella: I'd love to see Five Glaze thriving as a national glaze manufacturer with several employees and a community of potters who love our product!

Our Promise to You

At Five Glaze, we believe that understanding your materials makes you a better potter. We're committed to transparency, education, and empowering you to create exactly what you envision. Whether you're mixing your first glaze or developing your hundredth custom color, we're here to support your journey with reliable products, comprehensive resources, and a community that celebrates creativity and learning.

Ready to put the power in your hands? Join the growing community of potters who are taking control of their glazing and discovering the joy of custom color development.