Dilemma

Decisions, decisions. It has been an ongoing dilemma about which kiln to buy. I ended up choosing a Skutt 1027, single phase--- which arrived today and it goes up to cone 10. Was really interested in a Skutt 1227 KM, but it was $800 more! If only money grew on trees.

This has not been easy. I keep telling myself that I have a house payment, that I soon will need a new car, and that I need to keep saving $. My other rationale is that I really don't see myself as a full-time potter ever--- it's a wonderful avocation, and well, if I decide to ever go full-time, I can purchase another kiln that is a bit bigger and use this one as a bisque kiln. This kiln- the 1027 is a good basic kiln, it just looks small. And, it can go to cone 10 which is a plus. 7 cubic feet inside, compared to 9.9 in the other. Still, I understand it can hold 38 tea bowls. And, they say it's the most popular-- a good basic kiln--- actually, a bit better than a basic one.

I've got to look forward on this and keep moving ahead. I also am mindful that I don't make many big pieces.

I also made the decision to buy a kiln before the purchase of a washer and dryer. Sometimes one has to do what one has to do. Creating a studio is EXPENSIVE.

That's my kiln rambling for the day. Pictures tomorrow and a trip to Starworks to contemplate which kind of cone 6 clay to buy...

Any words of insight? What kiln do you use?

I tell myself that this is a good choice for now. It is a beautiful kiln. It will be more beautiful after the electrician comes and wires it, etc... and it's ready to go.

On another note, buying a wheel was MUCH easier. I have a brent C. I'm already loving it. My plan is to get my hands in clay at the wheel on Sunday afternoon. :)

One of my favorites

As I await the arrival of my kiln and wheel within the next week or so and contemplate what kind of clay to purchase and what glaze or glaze materials to buy, I am wanting to travel here.

Words cannot describe what it's like to snowshoe out in the snow in daylight or by candles at night... where it's inches and inches and inches of snow beneath the snowshoes. While labyrinths aren't my favorite, I love to stomp the new snow in them after a new snowfall. And cross country skiing is a must and a good workout!

This place is in the North Cascades. One I've written about before. Don't see how I can travel there this winter, but will definitely go there within the next 6 months. It always does my body, soul, and mind good to be there.
Here's the labyrinth at night with candles throughout. When work gets too busy and thoughts of dreams and hopes not yet realized still linger, an dwell when I am reminded of the challenges of life, I like to imagine going here, in the middle of nowhere.

Watching the tape of the Lady Vols basketball team playing and seeing how Pat Summitt (Head Coach) has changed doesn't help. How I hope and pray she overcomes Alzheimer's. If anyone can, she will.

Even so, I am thankful. Thankful for the gift of life and that I've visited this place, one of my favorites! And there's always tomorrow.

Moving Forward- a new wedging table!

This is the newest addition to my soon to be studio. My parents visited last weekend and Dad made this, along with a bit of help from me. Loved having them here. Only problem was time was too short. Still while here, this is what was created. A wedging table! It's simply beautiful! Can hardly wait to use it.

I expect my kiln and wheel to arrive within the next week from Bennett Pottery. :) Then an electrician will come and wire the garage. Kiln is coming with the envirovent system too. Now onto deciding which kind of clay to buy first... hmmm! Decisions, decisions!

Can hardly wait to put my hands in clay again. It's been almost 5 months since I've been away from the wheel.

Questions as I Wait- Creating a Studio

Well, I'm in the midst of waiting for three weeks until my kiln and wheel arrive from Bennett Pottery. See the previous post for the kinds that I purchased. In the meantime, I'm saving money everywhere I can.

I also have a few questions: Comments, please!

1. Better to have an electrician come to wire my garage after or before the kiln arrives? There's only one outlet in the garage. Does this matter?

2. Better to have a dryer vent put in the garage before or after the kiln arrives? Not sure how long the cord is that goes into the outlet which would matter where I place the kiln.

And I have other purchases to make including...

clay--- for cone 6. Any suggestions on which to buy? Am thinking about some NC clay (I'm not into porcelain; last clays I used were highwater phoenix and zella stone). Thought about trying some starworks clay- the okeeweemee one.

Also need to make several purchases including...

a banding wheel---

glazes!

a space heater

This is also a big switch for me from cone 10 to cone 6. Any wisdom in this?

Thankfully my parents are coming next Sunday, I think... to help around the house and with a few set-up projects for my studio. It will be wonderful to have them here! We'll do fun things together like create a wedging table and also put some shelves in too.

geez, somedays I tell myself it would be great to have an avocation that is less expensive! Still I love it, and miss it more than I can say.

All these decisions! Would love to hear your nuggets of wisdom about creating a studio.