Clayworks Kiln Loading!

Time to load the gas kiln! Here are cone packs that will be put in the kiln to monitor the temperature.

Helped load the kiln last night. Here's one of my spotted shino cups with wood ash and soda ash on the outside, along with accents of catherine's oribe glaze. I used just about the same glazes on each piece that's now in the kiln that will be fired beginning on Monday.

Here's another shelf. This was a student firing, so there were pieces of all shapes and sizes in it.

Hard to see in this picture, but two of my yunomi teacups are behind this post.

The back stack of the gas kiln. Check out the two yunomis in the right bottom of the pic.

Here they are. I have a good track record of having pieces in this coveted spot; the results are spectacular!

Becky and I had some great conversation over wine. Cheap Trader Joe wine which I think is delicious!

It was cold while loading the kiln; the kiln is in the garage part of the studio and is not heated. Julie, the studio manager was dressed appropriately and here is holding one of my bowls, looking for its best spot. She has this way of fitting an enormously great number of pots into one kiln. I think it's like a puzzle; she must be great at puzzles. It was fun to help out a bit; I love this kind of thing.

On this front stack are some of my bowls.... well, four in all. The brown darkness is from the shino that was still drying as it had recently been glazed.

Here's the shelf onto of the one before this pic.

And finally, the finished kiln. Cone packs at the bottom and at the top- to monitor the temp in those respective places. The space at the top will be filled with a few of Julie's pots before Monday when it is turned on. About twenty or so of my pieces are in this firing. On the front stack you can see one of my bowls--- right stack.. fourth shelf from the bottom.
It's also snowing here in Charlotte, NC. I will post take some pics of pottery in the snow tomorrow; it is simply gorgeous here! The more snow, the better is what I'm thinking....

Miracles

Am finally home after a very long day. This is a typical dinner for me; that yunomi of mine is one of my favorites. :) Finally started eating at 10:30 pm. Spaghetti!

Had a good class tonight at Clayworks, except that I'm very tired. Made this simple form, to which I'll write some all on the exterior. Good to make a simple form after a complex day.

At clas Adrienne made big forms. Well, she just makes it all look easy. This picture above was taken after this one below.

I really like the simplicity of her pottery too.

Have also been thinking about miracles today. I've been the receiver of several. I'm just amazed... and still in shock.

Hoping I can be at the wheel a bunch this weekend!

Wood Ash

Here are two cups that came out of the last kiln firing. The biggest difference in them--- that sets them apart from the other yunomi cups is that these have some wood ash on the rim of them.

Hard to see- but that grey at the rim is the wood ash. I sprinkled it on the spotted shino glaze when it was wet-- and some fo the variation in the shino is from the ash. I also sprinkled on a bit of soda ash in some places, which causes a crystallized look. I'm so happy with the variance this gives. The wood ash is from my parents' fireplace! Thanks Dad for gathering the wood ash. Sifting it helped and I plan to use the wood ash in upcoming firings.

Some of my favorite yunomis-- and a small tumbler on the right.

Kiln Watching and Glazing...

Some kiln watching has been happening these past few days. Julie was the teacher. Becky, Susan, and others were the students. I listened in on a few of the words of wisdom, but work has kept me away from the studio more than I'd like to say.

Julie was the instructor for a studio artist firing, before which these two cups managed to find their way into the kiln. They were the lucky ones of the 15 plus that were ready, sitting there on the shelf, having to wait a couple more days for the next firing mid-February. I especially like the variation in the spotted shino glaze in these. Please ignore the bad pic and the glare from the camera.

The first and third from the left are the two in the pic above. Spotted shino glaze with catherine's oribe accent. A bit of soda ash sprinkled on the outsides AND some wood ash (thanks, Dad!) also. That's the brown ash in this picture above.

The three pieces from the left are waiting to be fired too.

The shelf is full-- bowls, vases, and all sorts of forms waiting... just waiting.

Here's what these pieces looked like before they were glazed. A bit of wine too.

Yunomis continue to be my favorite form. The goblet was raku fired and is holding some wood ash that was sifted prior to application.

Hoping these next days bring more time in the studio.