It was over 100 degrees here again today. Early this morning I did some yard work but soon retired indoors to the studio to tidy up and make some cone packs and basically do little else. I have managed some computer work and went to town for some odds and ends in anticipation for my trip to Minnesota.
Here is a picture of Sarah from Wednesday when we attended a wedding at South Mountain State Park. My little wild flower had to get in the river and cool off. I should have done the same but I was a bit over dressed in slacks.
I am presently enjoying a banana smoothie. Here's how to make one: Freeze two bananas (peel before freezing). In a blender combine the bananas, 10 oz or so of soy or rice milk, a couple table spoons, more or less of chocloate syrup, and some honey if desired. Blend until smooth, you may have to add more liquid. Drink slowly to avoid brain freeze.
Tomorrow morning I am heading to Charlotte to help my friend Julie with some things at Clayworks and I will also pick up some materials to mix clay. Hopefully I'll do that Sunday. That way it can be in the racks while I am away.
All for now. Have a good Friday evening.
Small ovals got bottoms and handles today.
Same with this big oval.
The board of spoon jars on the left got slipped. These are quick and easy pots that I sell a lot of. The board of cups in the middle got handled and slipped and I made another board of cups today (right)
I am still waiting on some bigger bowls to dry for footing, so maybe get to those tomorrow. Sarah called at lunch and I was happy to get out of the shop to go out with her for a bite to eat. I miss having her at home.
A large oval baker.
These bowls are new. I like the contrast of the yellow slip interior to the exterior.
Here is the problem that I am running into time and time again, dryish, rough, dark, scum. It happens mainly in the front of the kiln where it is hottest and on the fire face side of the pots. Often the other side of the pot will be just fine.
I keep thinking to myself it is time to rebuild this kiln. I feel like there is so much salt build up on the walls that I am getting this negative effect from early residual salt build up on the pots where they are getting the hottest early on.
Here are four tankards with pours and dots. This yellow slip is working good in parts of the kiln where my standard flashing slip is having some problems.
Tall footed soup/cereal bowls. These have become a standard form of mine over the past year or so. I do variations on the handles or lugs. These have the slip on the inside and outside which I like (more so than having a shiny glaze on the inside). These pots all have the same slip on them, the variation in color and surface is due to placement in the kiln.
Here is an image of the back stack and the front getting started. I'll unload on Sunday.
Wadding is made from alumnia hydrate and kaolin, a 50/50 mix. I make up about 10 lbs of this at a time and that lasts me a while. All the pots in the kiln have to sit on little balls of wadding, if they did not the salt glaze may stick the pots to the shelves. It also allows the pots to get some sodium vapour underneath the pots and glaze the bottoms somewhat. I make wads by rolling out a coil of wadding mixture and cutting it into pea sized pieces with my fettling knife.
I'll make up 2 batts worth of wadding and that usually is enough to wad all the ware.
If time permits, I'll pre-wad most of the smaller pots before loading. The alternative is to wad as I load the kiln. Here I have applied a little white glue dot where I want the wads and then applied the wadding. If I don't use the glue the wadding will fall off when it dries. Pre-wadding makes loading go a bit faster.
I also finished up the new Harry Potter book today after lunch. That's all I'll say about that in case you are reading it.
On a personal note, I am struggling with some decisions and true to my nature (or more accurately, my conditioning) I am mostly moving in circles. I have been rather disconnected lately, hence the lack of posts, but I am taking care and hope to do more this week.
That's it for now.
I spent a few hours yesterday morning with photographer Randy McNeilly. I have known Randy for 15 years or more. He is a nationally known photographer and a good friend. I always enjoy hanging out with him talking about his travels, music, food, and life. He's a great guy and I am lucky to be able to get him to take images of my work. He and his wife Janet are real art lovers. Anyhow, he shot about 20 pieces for me including some plates and platters that I am submitting for an upcoming book.
These mugs have a different handle placement than I usually do. These have a one finger handle that's more in the center of the pot. I rather like them and they feel good in the hand. I have another six that I'll give similar handles tomorrow.
I had several boards of bakers that got handled. Here are a couple.
I also worked on my tripod dishes and animal jars. They will finish up totally tomorrow.