The kiln was about as full as I can get it--but I have not much to show. That's OK since I am happy with the way the pagoda came out. There is a small pagoda, also, but it is not as nice--I may refire it, not much color. Funny because the small one gave me all kinds of trouble from start to finish. Had that been the experience with the original I'm sure I'd have thrown in the towel long ago.
It is just the top section of the taller one--the bottom section collapsed while drying. The top part was still intact so I just went ahead with it!
I've made some dogwood flower drawer pulls for my bathroom. Hope I can figure how to attach them to the drawers! (I want them for the kitchen, but I have to go slowly there!)
Otherwise, the kiln was full of tests: testing 3 different 'clear' glazes--not all clear glazes are clear! And a new slip with various colorants--under the new clear glazes--not all clear glazes are clear. And 3 variations on a new black glaze. So lots to study now.
BTW, the firing was much more even top to bottom. It did over-fire a bit--but only one of the clear glazes screamed about that (by way of lots of pin holes).
All in all a good firing.
Oh, and one more thing. I also made a small batch of John Britt's new glaze, Gnu Blue (http://ncclayclub.blogspot.com/). It is nice--almost a satin glaze, nice feel and great variation. It does not look much like his--but that is the way of pottery, right?
12 comments:
How great are those pieces!?!?!?
I just love the pagoda, I have always wanted to make one, but knew if I got started it would take forever. The dogwood blossoms are great too. If you ever want to try, we fire weathered bronze to cone 9 at Claymakers and it is really nice. runny so you have to be careful but it looks great, more blue.
Great work!!!
Thanks, Tracey. I was working to get as much variation in the weathered bronze as possible--over did the small one! This fired to ^7 instead of ^6. But I like it as it is--thnak goodness--or thanks to the Kiln Goddess!
How wonderful your pagoda is, love the color. Your dogwood drawer pulls are spectacular, love the way you glazed them. Will you post when you figure out how to attach the drawer pulls, I think that's such a great idea. I have a ladies desk and a small dresser I'd like to make some drawer pulls for.
the pagoda came out very nicely and i love the orange color on those teacups... is that the blue nue or is it another glaze underneath?
It is the Blue Nue. I dipped the whole cup in the glaze and then dipped the top 1/3 again in the same glaze. You should look at the Blue Nue on John Britt's blog site: Clay Club. It was back a while--but it has a nice picture and he gives the recipe there. His has a lot of dark brown and maybe it is more blue than greenish.
OOPS. The glaze is called "Gnu Blue". I renamed it, accidently, maybe because mine looks so different from his....
Gay - I already told you on Facebook - but I think this pagoda turned out so wonderfully! The smaller one doesn't have as much blue/green - but still looks good too. I always have a hard time re-firing stuff. Let me know if you get good results if you fire it again.
I also like your drawer pulls.
You are really ambitious- the pagoda is great! Glad you liked my potatoes- Now I'm thinking of other foods...
HI Gay, I see you've been busy! I really like the Pagoda and the dogwood pulls. I tried this before but it hasn't shown up-oh, maybe you haven't okayed it to publish. Did you change e-mail address? Ann
Ann, thanks for dropping in. I found both comments this morning--slow delivery, I guess!
Hey, the pagoda looks great! Isn't it wonderful to see some thing all the way through the process and have it come out nicely?
I have a very good clear cone 6 glaze. I'll look it up for you today.
England was great. It was a treat to meet everyone. It was a bit of a whirl wind though. I guess it's time for life to return to normal now.
Yes, I am very happy with the pagoda. My joy is a bit tarnished by the fact that it is the ONLY successful piece I've produced in the last several months...not good news!
I am so glad you had a great trip--though I am sorry you could not have stretched it out a bit. It did seem awfully short for such a long ride! Good to have you home though--missed your blogging!
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