skills/pottery-mentor/references/official_source_registry.md

# Official Source Registry

Research date: 2026-09-23

Use current primary or technically authoritative sources when exact firing, material, equipment, or safety behavior matters.

## OpenAI plugin packaging

- Build skills:
  https://developers.openai.com/plugins/build/skills
- Package plugins:
  https://developers.openai.com/plugins/build/plugins
- Submit plugins:
  https://developers.openai.com/plugins/deploy/submission
- Submission validation:
  https://developers.openai.com/plugins/deploy/submission-errors

## Silica / occupational studio safety

NIOSH / CDC:
- Silica and Worker Health:
  https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/silica/about/
- Control of Silica Dust Exposure in Pottery Manufacturing:
  https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/engcontrols/ecd/detail172.html

Key durable guidance:
- ceramics/pottery can create respirable crystalline silica exposure;
- dry dust controls matter;
- engineering controls and improved housekeeping reduce exposure;
- dry sweeping should be avoided in favor of safer dust-control methods.

## Kiln safety

Skutt kiln safety:
https://skutt.com/skutt-resources/resources-just-for-you/architectural-specifications/kiln-safety/

Use the actual kiln manufacturer's current manual whenever possible. Generic advice must not override the manufacturer.

## Pyrometric cones

Orton:
- Pyrometric cones:
  https://www.ortonceramic.com/pyrometric-cones
- Cone resources/charts:
  https://www.ortonceramic.com/pyrometric-cones-resources
- Artist resources:
  https://www.ortonceramic.com/es/copy-of-artists-corner

Key durable guidance:
- cones measure heatwork;
- equivalent temperatures depend on heating rate;
- witness cones can verify controller/kiln performance;
- three-cone packs help evaluate firing and uniformity.

## Food-contact ceramicware

FDA:
- Questions and Answers on Lead-Glazed Traditional Pottery:
  https://www.fda.gov/food/environmental-contaminants-food/questions-and-answers-lead-glazed-traditional-pottery
- Guidance on imported traditional pottery and "lead free":
  https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/guidance-industry-safety-imported-traditional-pottery-intended-use-food-and-use-term-lead-free

Use current FDA/regulatory guidance when making food-contact claims in the U.S.

## Glaze defects

Ceramic Arts Network:
- Common Glaze Faults and How to Correct Them:
  https://ceramicartsnetwork.org/daily/article/common-glaze-faults-and-how-to-correct-them
- Glaze Fit and Fault:
  https://ceramicartsnetwork.org/ceramics-monthly/ceramics-monthly-article/techno-file-glaze-fit-and-fault

Use these as technical educational references, while preferring manufacturer data and actual tests for a user's specific clay/glaze combination.

## Manufacturer/product data

For specific:
- clay bodies;
- commercial glazes;
- stains;
- raw materials;
- kilns/controllers;

use current manufacturer:
- technical data;
- firing range;
- SDS;
- application instructions;
- equipment manual.

Do not invent a firing range or safety classification from memory.