May 9th, 2010 by admin

I tried a new crystal glaze formula.  It a cone 6-9 by  Fara Shimbo called bory 1.

I reduced the zinc oxide in t the glaze from 27 down to 25%.  While firing I unexpectedly fell asleep during a 5 hour soak at 2000.  The kiln continued a slow rise in temperature till it reached 2140.  The crystals came out long and spiky.  I like this new look.  I’m going to try it again with a new glaze soon.

May 6th, 2010 by admin

I have had a few friends ask me how I get the images on my pottery.  They are painted on with underglaze.   Underglaze is a slip-like glaze that fires onto the clay a lot like paint.  It looks great and is stable under glazes like celadon and most cone 10 transparents.  My favorite is a clear glaze developed by Pete Pinnell called Pete’s Clear.   It has been frustrating trying to find a crystalline clear that is compatible with the underglaze.   I have killed several test pots in the search.  Drawing and painting have always been a passion of mine.  Combining drawing and clay is a logical step -and a fun one.

May 4th, 2010 by admin

This is the first time I was able to judge the atmosphere of  my kiln accuratly enough to achieve copper reds.

A friend on the Crystalline glaze made me a Oxygen probe that made it easy to start an early reduction at 1500,  and carry a med reduction all the way to cone 10

These pots will be for sale at summer fest August 7, at Bountiful park.