It's been warm in the Studio these last few days.
Below, jars on the left, newly trimmed and drying. To the right, teapot bodies and spouts. Above, mini teapots on the right; newly glazed wide mouth mugs and jars on the left. The wide mouth items are thrown to 100mm diameter opening. Everything else here is thrown to 80mm diameter opening...
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Tea cups in progress, top shelf; wares awaiting inspection, foot polishing and washing, bottom shelf.
I was pleased with the five tea cups that are nearly the same size and shape! They will be paired with new teapots... Over the last two weeks, I'm having better luck with repeat bowls. Across the top, medium/large bowls very close in height, width, and shape, which would go well with the servers on the right, below. Looking forward to bisque firing these, then glazing in the green! ...I'd been struggling with repeats after breaking my shoulder (October 2022). I could get a few in a single session, but matching up in subsequent throwing sessions has been a challenge. Medium mug in white stoneware from recent glaze fire, sent in a Get Well package. This glaze is repurposed "scrap" from wipe away, clean up, et cetera; over the last several years, about three gallons of glaze. I like the color, it goes on well and seems to behave well in firing. Catching up!
These two large bowls, a wedding present - they aren't two years late yet! Variegated Green glaze over IMCO red clay has blue stipple marks - haven't seen that before - I like it. White stoneware reclaim.
The plaster slabs absorb water from the sticky goop; here the blobs have been turned the first time... Kiln wiring was completed today!
The kiln is running the recommended initial firing program now. Once complete and cooled down, it will be ready for its first load of bisque. I'm excited! It's been just under a year since last glaze fire. A lot has happened since then, looking forward to some glazing sessions and waiting to open the kiln after a glaze fire! A few mugs, bowls, and bottle vases in IMCO "Red Velvet" red stoneware clay, thrown last week.
Of the several red stonewares I've tried, this is my favorite; it's fairly plastic, holds its shape, isn't as prone to cracking whilst drying as some others, has much less "large particle" defect, and my glazes work well with it. Looking to have a full load ready for when the new kiln arrives. Here's the new Studio space! "The plan" includes putting up a wall with a person door and several electric outlets, adding outlets on the back wall, running kiln wiring to the corner by the rollup door, installing ventilation for the kiln, fitting the space with a heat pump (it gets both hotter and colder here! !!), installing flush mount led lighting to the ceiling. These extra/spare lids made the trip ok.
There's a few dozen mugs, bowls and jars as well, will take and post images... We made it to Chico! Most of our stuff is in storage whilst we look for a new home (and Studio). Here's the "old" Studio, all cleared and cleaned up! It's a nice space, really liked the big window, counter top space, built in cabinets and drawers, and comfortable, most days. Still hoping to hear from the couple that bought the three mugs!
I have your small Variegated Blue mug; I neglected to pack it in your bag. Let me know, I'll mail to you, just need an address... Updated
We're moving to Chico (a small town about ninety miles North of Sacramento). We had been busy with the many details of listing our home for sale, spiffing it up for showings, making repairs, et cetera ...now there's packing. There are several boxes of ware that I will pack and take with, however, feel free to be in touch should you be interested in adding to your collections. It will be another week or so before they are packed away. Orlando, thank you for buying up that four bowl set yesterday, hope it serves you and yours well for a very long time! The classic (circa 1988) Skutt KM-1027 kiln will not be making the trip. ...a new home has been found, thank you! I hope it continues to fire up for a very long time - it has served me well. Once we're settled in Chico, I'll be looking for a newer kiln, which I hope to situate in its own dedicated shed. Many potters take electronic firing control for granted. Perhaps I will too, some day; looking forward to it! I hope to hear from the couple that bought the three mugs! I have your small Variegated Blue mug here; I neglected to pack it in your bag. Healing continues!
Fractured ribs still ache some but aren't limiting activity. The shoulder trauma is improving; however, it is limiting. |
Tom MurphyArchives
May 2024
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