Glaze Recipes- Measuring, etc...

 One thing I really need to learn is how to mix and measure glazes.  Here's an example of a cone 10 Copper Red glaze I used in WA.  I'll be using only cone 6 glazes in the near future as a gas kiln is nowhere near for me to use.

 Here's how the copper red turned out.  Gorgeous!  that white- that is where another glaze was poured on top.  I am using the copper red as an example- I didn't measure this one.  If you need a copper red recipe, I recommend this one.

Another view of the copper red-- it's just gorgeous!  Any wisdom in computing glazes and measuring them?  I have the tools-- just needing the 'know-how'.  Off to search the internet for answers to the 'how to'.  Chemistry was never my strong suit...
Thanks for the comments and care.

Back--- And Missing Time in WA State

Here are a few pics from my vacation to the West Coast.  Went to the North Cascade Mountains.  Threw a dozen bowls in an afternoon and here they are trimmed and drying.  Will share more soon.  

Had dental surgery today so I don't feel 100%... how not fun that was!  

 Also made 12 mugs while there.  Haven't made many handles yet... need to practice that much more, but these are ok.

These are some of the gorgeous flowers at the Pike Place Market.  Of course, pictures don't do them justice.  Thanks too for even reading this blog amidst the long few weeks of no post!  I have pottery updates and insights I learned that I will share soon- just need to feel better and hopefully soon.  Ugh!  

How To

 This started blooming in my yard and I had no clue what it was until I sent the picture to my mom--- it's a gladiola!  It will bloom when I'm away on vacation.  Go figure!

 Thought I'd show some of the process- the one I use to write on the bowls.

 The hardest part is figuring out which angle to put the bowl or deep plate.  Have learned to keep the graffito tool at about the same angle to get the depth I want in the clay.

 It's really easier than it may look; just time-consuming.

 This one has the words of the prayer attributed to St. Francis all around.  Lord, make me an instrument of  your peace--- almost any quote will do; I figured, well- almost everyone needs peace, right?

 It's also a challenge to space the words at least somewhat evenly.  I never want it to be exact and 'perfect'-- after all, it's art!

Now the three bowls/deep plates will dry completely when I'm on vacation.  :)

A Good Monday

 Finally planted the caladium bulbs my parents gave me today.  Added some osmocote and I forget what it's called--- the small silver rocks that deter the moles.

 Had a few elephant ears left to plant.  All in all, planted about 10 caladium bulbs and 2 more elephant ears.

 Spent some time earlier reclaiming the clay that I saved from trimming bowls.  These are 2 lb. pieces of clay.  Probably will turn these into bowls tomorrow- or soon!

 Visited Starworks Ceramics this past Saturday afternoon.  Went to an electric kiln workshop there which was a bit helpful, yet I thought it would be more about working with any electric kiln, not just a certain brand.  Even more interesting was visiting the room in Starworks where they make the clay that is dug locally.  Here are four locally dug ones.

 Wow, that's a big pug mill!  :)

Am counting down the days until vacation.  Until then, it's great to read pottery blogs as I have the time.  Dinner tonight--  a bowl of homemade granola cereal and wine in one of my favorite teabowls.

Counting Down

Worked a lot this weekend, so sadly that left little time for pottery.  Did manage to trim this large bowl (it still needs some work) and a few others tonight.  Tomorrow, I'll etch some words on the four remaining pieces.  

Am counting down the days until vacation----  :) 

Meanwhile, my plants are growing!  The hyacinth bean vines are using the trellis.  Not the best picture, but these are thriving. 

 And while this is a blurry picture, the petunias are not and they are happy too. These are the ones that just appeared in this planter.  Come, vacation come!
May do a bisque firing this week.  The hard part will be picking a time that I'm here for 7 or so hours.
Thanks for reading and your comments, etc.

First and Workshop

My first kiln firing- a test one went well.  One slight mishap----  I inadvertently programmed the kiln to preheat for 0.04 instead of 0.00.  Somehow, I had put the cone 04 part a bit early in the programming.  I learned of my error when I called Skutt technical support.  They were incredibly helpful- evidently, this has happened before.  I knew something was wrong because I noticed the kiln took an extra hour to fire---- and thus, an hour less of sleep for me!  Now, I know.  Problem solved.  whew!

Tomorrow I am going to the electric kiln workshop at Starrworks Ceramics in the afternoon.  It's FREE too!  Can hardly wait to learn more.

Bisque firing is next.  what temp do you bisque fire to?  More soon...