2008-12-12 Firing

I went to Clayworks on Friday night to help unload the kiln, photograph the 100 pots, and throw some big pots. I didn't get a chance to make any big pots, but I helped unload the kiln and took my photos. A big thanks goes out to Elaine for coming down so I could take a picture of her with my 100 pots since it was her challenge that started my journey.

It was a very good firing with lots of reduction for several of my pieces. Greg, Elaine, and I were the only witnesses and as usual, it was quite an educational experience. The firing process seems as much an art as a science since every firing is a bit different.

Greg has just opened the kiln.

My haul.

Throwing big

On Wednesday night Greg and I agreed to meet at the studio to "throw big".

I had about eight pounds of craggy crunch left, so I pulled that out. The clay had hardened since the last time I used it and it was a bear to wedge and throw. After stretching one pot past the breaking point, I re-wedged it and threw a large pot (as evidenced by the beer bottle solely used for scale). I still have a ways to go to catch up with Joe on the large-pot-from-a-small-amount-of-clay front, but small steps are better than no steps.

Greg held up his end by throwing a huge pot from thirteen pounds of clay (maybe loafer's glory?). I didn't get a picture of it because I was busy re-throwing mine and my hands were full of clay.

Biggest one to date.

I trimmed this craggy crunch pot.

I also trimmed this orangestone pot.

Greg was ready to go before I was,
but he waited for me to clean up my stuff
(and actually helped me).

Bigger and better...

Glazing and firing 2008-12-10

Tuesday night I went to Clayworks to meet Greg to glaze and load the gas kiln. I was surprised to find a whole crew there unloading pallets of clay from the Highwater delivery when I arrived. They unloaded three whole pallets and I only caught some of the third one.

Afterward some of us rested in the kitchen with a beverage of our choice for some conversation and fellowship. This kind of comradery is what makes the Clayworks crew special.

Once Greg, Amy, and I got to glazing it was apparent that it would be a late night (or early morning). Greg and I left the studio at 3:15 (that's a.m. for those playing along at home). It was a lot later than I had planned on staying, but it was 1:30 when I finished glazing and I wanted to see it through to the end.

Becky, Minke, and Amy
relaxing after a job well done.
(~8:00 p.m.)

Rick: right back to work.

Time for me to start glazing
(and staining).

Left: orangestone with glaze
Right: craggy crunch with stains, rutile and copper wash
(1:30 a.m.)

Orangestone with Rick's shino
and Kim's mystery glaze.

Greg checking how many veins are in his forehead.

Greg had quite a batch for this firing
and he layered them deeply with
glazes and other additions.

Loaded and ready.

Inspecting a job well done.

The blue agent of change.
(3:15 a.m.)

Flame on...

The many moods of Stephanie

Saturday was Stephanie's birthday and she and Meredith had signed up for Santa's Bag. It's an event where little kids are led by "elves" through a low cost shopping excursion for their relatives. Our kids went through it when they were younger and now they the elves helping other children. It completes a nice circle.

Stephanie and Laura.

Stephanie and Amanda.

That's one forlorn elf.

Meredith and Stephanie.

Still in the same room.

After our annual excursion to Tony Roma's (Stephanie's favorite, right after Taco Bell), we came home to a Carvel ice cream cake and Kung Fu Panda.

Fired pots, more glazing and cleaning

December 3rd was a mixed evening. I got some pots back from the kiln, glazed more of them, and then we cleaned up the studio for the members' sale on Friday and Saturday.

My pots from the kiln.
You can see them here.

Poor Angela was left all by herself
after the rest of the wheels
were removed for the sale.

More glazing of the 100 pots.
Will it never end?

My groovy new brushes.
The package says "The Big Kids' Choice"
and this big kid agrees.

Pots, pots and more pots.
The two on the left are the
Craggy Crunch pots.

Greg visits "Whiskey Town".

Amy has some more pictures here of glazing that night.

I didn't get any pictures at the sale since I was doing demos with Joe. Check out Amy's pictures here.

Glazing and waxing

November 30th was glaze day. It seems everyone was glazing to beat the band since the kiln firing was imminent.

My current batch (from the 100).

From the other direction.

Detail of the marble in the knob.

Minke assisted Elaine on some great pours.

Becky waxed her flock.

Barrel Firing # 6

I'm running a bit late on this post, but we had another barrel firing on November 28th (the Thanksgiving edition, or as I like to call it, the blackened Friday edition). All the usual suspects were there plus Stephanie and Meredith came down to help.

Minke and Becky readying the fuel.

Elaine looks over the wares.

Amy, Cindy, and Elaine make some
serious material decisions.

Some of the magic coppers and iron.

A bowl wrapped in a Chore Boy copper scrubber.

Placement is everything.

Populating the barrel.

Light it up!

Becky readies one of the smaller cans.
(I believe it's the CindaMotte can.)

More pictures here, here, and here.