A method to produce an article of commerce comprising a self-supporting ceramic body by oxidation of a molten parent metal with a vapor-phase oxidant, includes applying to a surface of the parent metal a layer having at least one dopant material therein. The layer is thin relative to the thickness of the ceramic body. Upon heating the parent metal to a molten state in the presence of the oxidant, e.g., air, an oxidation reaction product is formed on the molten metal which, because of the effect of the dopant material, migrates through the growing oxidation reaction product so as to be exposed to the oxidant to form additional oxidation reaction product to and beyond the depth of the applied dopant material layer. Suitable temperature and oxidizing conditions are maintained for a time sufficient to produce a self-supporting ceramic body.