We apologize for being absent from our blog for so long- we were busy making pots for the fall season.  Hope everyone had a happy holiday, and thanks to the folks who came out and supported us in 2009.  Here are a few photos of my wife Stephanie's latest work.  

Switching Gears: Adventures in Porcelain

I switched gears during this making cycle over to this very white, pure and persnickity clay.  First, i made these little flattened all- in -one jars. These jars are made from a 2lb ball and generally they are all made in different styles. Just because these are made in one thrown step does not mean that you are complete.  The trimming of these jars will take more time than the making to get them to fit just right.  

The second thing that i made during this time at the wheel was inspired from my wife's work.  I really love these hand-built owl boxes she has been making for many years now, and i  wanted to try my hand at them.  These turned out okay, but they look a little cuter than i prefer. I think that they match the forms okay though.  

Lastly, i made some standard jars with finger- formed galleries.  Your finger actually makes a great curve for the lid to set against.  The lids were made off the hump and the knobs were made separately and attached.

  

This is four of the pots from David's firing.  The flashing was very strong as well as the amount of ash that deposited on the swells of the forms.  I used a mixture of several different clays this time.  Usually i try to stick with one body for each firing because it makes it easier to compare the pots from previous firings. When I have the opportunity to experience a wood firing I try to take something new away from each burn that may help in future ones.  Thanks David for another great experience.

Few pots for wood-firing

I'm making a few pots for David Stuempfle's wood-firing this week.  This will be his last firing before building a new kiln in the fall.  I always like to make each and every pot different  because each firing is so individual.  It's always interesting to see the different flame patterns, and ash collection on the shoulders and bellies of the various forms.  Each and every pot seems to take on a life of it's own. 

We unloaded the kiln yesterday, and the firing seemed pretty successful.  I had a couple vases pinhole with our matte black glaze.  The glaze probably needs to be fired a little hotter, or soaked longer.  

Loaded  the kiln tonight to be fired again tomorrow.  Seems like each cycle we end up with enough pots to fire several times- back to back.  This also allows us to get into a 'glaze groove'!  Here's some pics from our first firing.  

work for next firing

We are trying to finish up the last bit of work before our next firing. It's hard to stop to fire because there is always a hundred more things you want to make. Anyway, we are going to try cut it off in the next couple of weeks. Jeff has been making vases and pitchers this week, and I am experimenting with some engobes I tested this spring.