Somedays

Somedays, like today- all I want to do is be a potter.  If only I could make a living doing it...  At least I can still throw a good bowl on a day like today.  :)

Translucent Blue Glaze

Went to the Sanford Pottery Festival today and while it featured great pottery, I must admit that some of it didn't catch my eye.  As I was looking around, I wanted to find something that closely resembled what I've been doing.  Sometimes pottery can look so much alike---
Interestingly, I found nothing that looked like the bottom part of this bowl above.  I've been on the lookout for a unique look for my pottery.  So, for now- this will be it.
The bowls will be a bit different, as they'll be fired in cone 6- electric kiln.  What that in mind, I'm on the lookout for a blue translucent glaze.  It's a tedious process to write the words (which can sometimes hurt my hands from all the etching) on the bowl when it's leather hard and then fire it and after the bisque firing, put the black mason stain in the crevices of the words.
It's all worth the time and work.

On another note, this is my homework.  Learn as much as I can about my 1027 kiln before I fire it.
Oh, and have a cone 6 translucent blue glaze recipe to share?
Thanks for all your support and comments...

At Last!

Hard to believe but earlier this week I called a remodeling guy who was referred to me and he called in his electrician and $375 later, my kiln is ready to go.  Got an extra outlet for the the kiln put in and a dryer vent was installed- hole put int he wall towards outside.  I had purchased an envirovent 2 and was surprised that the outside metal vent wasn't included.  Thankfully a metal one was found.  All went well---  and now my

Maybe next time I'll take a picture of the vent and new plug.  Next, I will read the skutt kiln manual from beginning to end and when I have enough pieces to a bisque firing.  Linda Starr suggested that I go through an entire firing with nothing inside.  Thanks, Linda!  I already tested the envirovent and it works great.  Any other suggestions or tips as I start this new kiln?
Tomorrow it's off to the Pottery Festival in Sanford in the morning.  Friends of mine, Linda and Jim Dalton will be selling their pottery there.
Thanks for reading!

Birdhouse!

My mom just sent me this photo of a birdhouse I made last summer.  Turns out that a bird liked it enough to nest there recently- and the remnants of the eggs can barely be seen.  I had made it with a wire hanging in the center going throughout the two piece birdhouse which would make it hard for a bird to nest inside.  Only problem in making it was figuring out how to hang it.  So, my dad is incredibly resourceful as you can see and he took out the wire hanger and made this to hang it up.
At least I like this form except that I'll need to work on construct it so it hangs.
Always learning something in the pottery world.  At least the birds are flexible and not too picky.
Thanks for the picture, Mom!
On another note, looks like my garage will be re-wired this weekend.  Ready for the hot weather to end here.  90 is too warm for May.
Thanks for reading and a particular thanks to all who have commented.  Your support means more to me than I can say.