The World of Glazes

New book purchased today. White in the center is from the glare of the iPhone. Several have recommended it. Hope it's good! Couldn't find it cheaper than $40. Have you read it?

So much to learn about glazes...

This is a contraption that Adrienne Dellinger showed me at Clayworks, in Charlotte where I used to make pottery. How I miss that place and people! Yet, I don't miss it enough to return to Charlotte. I'm quite happy in Southern Pines. Anyway, it's a simple plastic container with a pipe put into it... and silicone, I think to seal around the plastic pipe. The glaze/clay water is poured into the container, yet not down the pipe and the sediment and all settles in the plastic container, with the water rising to the top. When the container fills up, it'll eventually drain. I plan to make this and put it in my sink along with a gleco trap installed in the pipes under the sink. Google gleco trap if you have no clue what it is. I didn't until yesterday, thanks to Adrienne's teaching.

Am in Asheville, NC as I write. Almost didn't come, but quickly figured out that if I don't get glaze ingredients now, it'll be quite awhile before I do so. And, well- I needed a break from work, so here I am.

As usual, it's simply wonderful to be here. I passed through Charlotte on my way here and it was fun to talk with Adrienne a bit about the pottery world. She's so wise and generous. Not sure how I'd get through this studio creation without her insight and support.

Have decided to start off with five glazes. Found four from Clayworks that I liked and got recipes for them. Found another today.

So, today, I spent a long while at Highwater Clay in Asheville. The staff there was so incredibly helpful. Bought the dry glaze ingredients for 5 glazes.... one out of this new book pictured above.

Never thought I'd be using my chemistry knowledge again. Chemistry was my least favorite class in high school; at least I'm figuring out how to use the little I learned in it.

So, little by little I'm figuring this glaze stuff out. This book will be my fun, fun leisure reading! Still need to purchase a triple beam scale.

As I write, my car has 150 lbs or so of glaze ingredients! So much to learn...

On another note, it's supposed to snow or flurry here tonight, which I love. Winter is only winter for me if there is snow sometime. I've waited awhile for snow this season.

Tomorrow it's back home. Am thankful that Starworks pottery is close by (1/2 hour away), so I can go there if needed.

Oh, and I traveled there for the first time last weekend and brought home 500 lbs of clay! 250 lbs. of star white (star works NC kind) and 250 lbs. of high water's brownstone clay.

Will make the ben garden, clear, bluegrass, and maybe hare's fur blue from the pic above of the test tiles taken at clayworks.... hard to remember as I don't have my recipes with me. Long day!

Any glaze making advice? (Will definitely make small amounts and use test tiles before I mix big 5 gallon buckets).

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.