First Kiln Loading- and NPR

 First kiln load- this was the bottom stack.  Blue t-shirt is a tip someone gave me.  It to help protect the kiln bricks during the loading.  Plus, it's an old tennessee lady vols t-shirt.   Good luck charm.  One of my favorite teams!   (those are test tiles that were extruded).

I took my time in this.  I probably didn't load the kiln as tight as I could. I also heard that it's best to not stack the firings- even the bisque ones too much.  The more air between the pieces, the better.  What's your insight in this?

 I also listened to NPR- some Krista Tippett podcasts.  I'm thinking this will become a tradition.  Helped me to keep a slow, steady pace.  Also wore a dust mask as I 'sanded' the pieces with this sponge; this kind has two textures-- one soft and another a bit rougher--- to ensure that the bowls were smooth.  Especially with the wording, this step, while a bit monotonous, makes a big difference in the finished piece.

 Okay, here's another question.  The skutt manual says to leave 2 inches all around thermocouple--- that is ALOT of space!  Hard to plan around.  I still did it. I'm guessing this is just well, helpful overall.  Any insight?
In all this, I was struck by how long this all took.  Making pottery is not to be rushed.  There was this great rhythm in it all, that I loved.  Putting puzzles together was fun for me as a kid and that has served me well; it is a puzzle to load kilns!

 That different piece is by the Dalton's.  Am bisque firing it for them... Good air flow in this kiln loading.  Bisque firing this weekend!

Dinner was tuna salad.  Saw the ad that tuna was on sale and haven't eaten it in months, yet it sounded so good.  Excellent protein; two eggs, a can of tuna salad, and tomatoes with mayo.  Don't eat meat much, so this was definitely a match!  Kiln loading advice, please to this new kiln owner!  

Almost Time

 The kiln is empty; I will load it for the first time tomorrow for a bisque firing.  :) Almost time!  It's so clean and neat.  Will do my best to keep it that way!  Also heard that it's good to keep a log of firings that one does on one's kiln, so I will do that.

 Before that I just had to take some time today to Spent some time experimenting with bowl forms.  I like all of these.  My jury's still out as to which of these I'll be making a bunch more of in the days to come.

Tomorrow, a bisque firing and some test glaze mixing.   What a great weekend it will be!

What a Day! Skutt, etc...

 First, Skutt.  Called them about the crack in the kiln brick wall on the inside of my kiln.  The technician at skutt said it was a normal stress fracture- to be expected.  'Happens all the time' he said.  Still took a picture of it and documented it for my files.   I'm a bit relieved.

Put some clay through the extruder at a friend's home and well, I didn't have quite enough clay.  As maybe you can see, there's some lighter clay on the inside of several of these.  That's loafer's glory clay-- and the clay I'm testing is starrworks starrwhite.

 The test tiles are now on the drying rack--- awaiting time in the kiln for my first bisque firing this weekend.  :)  I'm loving the cooler weather; trimmed a pot today as it was raining outside.  70 degrees!  I love this.   Will also mix some test glaze batches this weekend.  Can hardly wait!

 Here the test tiles are drying... at several different angles.

So, it's been a simply wonderful day.  On a way different note, I've discovered this frozen yogurt recently as it's on sale at Lowe's.  And well, it's the best I've had in a LONG while.   More soon-

My Heart Sank... and Generosity

 Opened my new kiln this morning as I'll soon be unloading it for its FIRST bisque firing ever... and noticed this crack- towards the bottom.  My heart sank.  Really.  I'm calling skutt tomorrow.  Any wisdom?  Please, please share.  A friend suggested that I take a picture, email skutt and get this on file if the warranty doesn't cover it.  I was so disappointed.  I haven't put a thing in the kiln yet.  Only did a test firing as the installation instructions requested.  :(

 The generosity is that Linda Dalton taught me how to do the computation and measurement of glazes.  She and Jim Dalton have been wonderful to get to know since I moved here.  So thankful they are closely and so generous!  All the conversion stuff had intimidated me... and she walked me through the whole process.   She made this all look easy.  I took copious notes.  Interestingly, chemistry was my LEAST favorite subject in high school.  This weekend I'll be measuring test glaze batches--  100 or 1000 gram size.  This shows the new ohaus triple beam scale I bought.  Interestingly, it didn't come with the three weights that Linda uses- and she recommends that I get two of them.  Any wisdom as to what to do?  Maybe this particular scale isn't built for weights.  I plan on calling ohaus about this.

 First zinnia of the season.  These grew from seed and the rest have a while to go.  I'm hopeful others will bloom.

 The Dalton's gave me some tomatoes and a cucumber, fresh from their garden.  Such generosity!

 Thanks to the yummy tomatoes, I had a BLT for dinner.  YUM!   mayonnaise, rye bread, homemade tomatoes and bacon.  :)

Oh, and here is me on June 21 in the North Cascade Mountains.  Loved this hike while on vacation.  It was 70 degrees at the start of the hike and then this was the end.  Big lake behind me.  Had to find my way in the snow and mark my trail, along with the help of a friend.  Loved it!  Oh, and it wasn't that cold even with all the snow around me.   Thanks for reading and please share your insight!