2018-03-09 - Friday - Empty Bowls and loading kiln

Friday we unloaded some bowls for Empty Bowls. I was pleased with the slip transfers.

Later I went out to Lawndale to load Hal's kiln for the next day's firing.

Hal in his kiln.

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2017-11-29 - Wednesday - Raku fire fish

Wednesday night I fired the fish in the raku kiln at Clayworks.

Before I get to that, here is a photo of the trees at Clayworks from last night (ok, it was morning). The light was very strange; it made me think I was on another planet. Interesting.

Now, on to the raku firing...

Cans lined up for receiving fish.

The fish are getting hot.

Zebra/tiger/angel fish, depending who you talk to.

Almost the whole school.

Oops! Dropped one.

Fish in the kiln.

On the way home I was taken with some Christmas lights and thought I'd make another pass and video them.

Christmas lights.

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2017-11-16 - Thursday - Kiln accident

After the bisque firing finished I wanted to unload the kiln, but the band on the lid had burst apart. It seems the hose clamp type tensioner had given up. It was riveted in place and as you can see in the bottom photo, they were pretty rusted.

I used my rotary tool (think Dremel) to grind off the rivets and took both pieces of the tensioner to the hardware store. There I found a stainless steel hose clamp I could modify to the task.

Now to find time to do it...

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2017-10-29 - Sunday - Garage

Sunday I started cleaning out the garage so I could start using the back room again and get the front ready for my holiday sale. Things had gotten out of control for a while and I finally made it a point to do something about it. I'm sorry I didn't take any "before" photos.

Looking left to the kiln.

Looking right to the bins of pots.

To make room I had to jettison some things. One of them was a kick wheel my friend Irene gave me 18 years ago when we moved in. I never got around to using it. Now I wear Crocs due to vein problems in my legs/feet so a kick wheel would not work out too well for me.

I sent word out to our guild and 3 people contacted me immediately. It went to a good home.

 

Now I just have to deal with this stuff...

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2017-10-19 - Thursday - Raku

Thursday night is raku class night at Clayworks and when I arrived I saw Greg had the mobile stairs pulled up to the kiln so everyone could see inside. Good idea.

Here's a short video showing the lazy flame inside the kiln.

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2017-10-07 - Saturday - Muddy Fun and stuff

Saturday was Muddy Fun Saturday! We had our usual class of eager students and helpful volunteers.

Ralph's kiln was finished cooling so I sneaked a peek to see how it went. Everything looked good and my mugs were no exception.

I was pleased with the shino.

Later I threw some more butter dishes and a couple of jars.

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2017-10-03 - Tuesday - Face mugs

Tuesday I glazed my face mugs (nose and mouth) to get them done in time to be fired in Ralph's kiln.

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2017-02-27 - Monday - Glazing

Monday I glazed the rest of the Empty Bowls. I did a lot of different processes on them and ended up the decoration with some fun doodles.

Sanded.

Waxed.

First dips.

Second dips, waxed, sprayed, painted, doodled.

In the kiln.

Overflow.

A while back I posted a photo of my sad little rosemary plant. It's still in water and it's blooming again. I really need to plant it in the ground somewhere.

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2017-02-23 - Thursday - All kinds of stuff

Thursday I noticed that one of the five Harbor Belle Dwarf Nandinas had died. I'll have to look for a replacement.

At Clayworks I was taken by the large group of student pots on the table. Nice grouping.

I made another garlic pot.

The kiln was still at 713 when I left.

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2016-07-05 - Tuesday - Glazing

Tuesday I went to Clayworks to glaze pots. I had a range of pots in this run and it took a really long time just to get the waxing done. A lot of detail work. I'll have to glaze tomorrow.

Ralph is firing the kiln and he will fit some of my pots in it so it's glazing time.

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2015-08-04 - Tuesday - Kiln fired

Tuesday the kiln was finished, but too hot to unload. We'll have to wait until tomorrow.

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2014-06-04 - Wednesday - Lidded jars

Wednesday I trimmed the lids and jars.  There are a few more tweaks needed and then it's off to the kiln.

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2014-04-29 - Tuesday - Firing

When I arrived at Clayworks on Tuesday night, the kiln was almost finished firing.  Shortly after that it was into final soak.  I can't wait to see the work that comes out of it.

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April 5 - Saturday - Kiln opening and supper

Saturday morning I met Becky at Clayworks to unload the kiln. It was a good firing.  Here is a quick photo of my pieces.  You can see the individual photos here.  I'm very pleased.

Saturday evening Karen and I went to Sir Edmund Halley's Pub for supper while Meredith went to the prom.  Karen had a burger and I got the pan-seared zucchini cake with ratatouille and goat cheese fritters since it sounded different.  It was different and quite good.

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