earcandyarts – a region of StudioWhat

Today I unloaded the kiln for the first time in a few months. I am usually always apprehensive to take that first peek, mostly because I don’t fill the kiln often enough to have consistent results. Usually, I’m trying something new whether it be a type of shape, a different glaze combination, or hand building or throwing technique. Sometimes the kiln produces a mostly beautiful load. Other times I experience disappointing disasters which I chalk up to experience. My motto in the studio is this: It’s just dirt. With that attitude I can continue to make mistakes and experience successes. Today’s load was mostly a success.

I did learn a few things about my firing. 11 of them are here:

1. My shadow green glaze is too thick and fell to the shelf on a few small pinch pots. When I mix a new batch and add it to an old batch, I have to be sure to get the right consistency or this happens.
2. The glaze I just started to use called Ketchup finally gave me some good results though the one called Crocus is still coming out very dark brown.
3. Ivory needs a little more water and remains one of my all time favorite glazes, especially on a gray clay body.
4. Celedon is FINALLY the right consistency after removing water from it for the last year or so.
5. I really do love making little pinch pots.
6. I must make more lidded jars.
7. Plain white bowls on a gray clay body are a thing of beautiful simplicity.
8. Refiring a piece is sometimes the right thing to do.
9. Clay Art Center’s kiln wash is FAR superior to Seattle Pottery Supply’s.
10. I reaffirm my love for my clay studio on a regular basis.
11. My husband is a very supportive fan of my work.

Next, throwing porcelain. Lovely, buttery smooth and pure pure white. The perfect canvas on which to play with glaze.