These mugs are simply made  textured porcelain slabs folded into cylinders very fun and quick.  I think they turned out great.  Hope top see some of you tomorrow.

Saturday, September 11th

7th Avenue between “I” and “N” streets
(adjacent to Lindsey Gardens)

in The Avenues of Salt Lake City

9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Hi all we will be up in the avenues selling pots at the Avenues Street Fair.  I have several new pots  that will be on sale.  My last firing was spectacular.  Several of the larger pots turned out awesome.  I tried a variety of crystal colors on larger shapes.  If you are in the neighborhood stop by and check it out.

Bottle colored with neodymium and iron

Bottle colored with nickle oxide and iron

Bottle colored with manganese and iron

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.

I have been throwing pots like a madman for the last week to get ready for an arts festival in August. I have to get the beast fired by Monday morning. Friday night I glazed pots for 10 long hours. then at 1:30 am I made my wife a birthday cake. Right now its Saturday the 11th just started the firing it will burn all night till 5:00 am. At cone 10 I will drop my temp to 1950 for 15 minutes. Up the temp to 2100 for one hour. 2050 for one hour, 2000 for one hour, 1950 for one hour, 1800 for 30 minutes, 1650 for 30 minutes

In this firing I experimented with several different aventurine and lustre combinations.  The results were better than I expected but need alot of development.

May 29th firing bottles, mugs and serving trays

This firing was my best so far.  I am about ready for some art festivals this summer.  I made some smaller bottles that I can sell cheaper.  I figure with the ecomomy being so crappy poeple who want some cool pottery should be able to aford it Ill post some of the best pots tonight.

I just finished with my 3rd crystalline glaze firing in my Monster Kiln. I am now in the process of removing the pedestals and catchers from the bottoms of the pots. This is a very delicate process involving a hammer. Last firing I broke several of my best pots removing them from the catchers. I have read several good tips on how to do this without killing my poor pots. The best have come from a recent discussion on the crystalline glaze forum.

http://s3.excoboard.com/exco/thread.php?forumid=64484&threadid=614684

Porcealain bottle, glaze catcher, and pedestal

Pot has been glued onto pedestal with 50% epk and 50% elmers wood glue

Fired crystalline glazed bottle with .5% cobalt carbonate and 1% copper carbonate. it has not yet been removed from a catcher

This pot has successfully been removed from the catcher

Bottle was broken when i used to much force removing it from pedestal

I now use a torch to heat up the catcher from the bottom.  When the catcher gets hot it  expands.  As the catcher expands it causes thermal shock in the glaze holding the pot to the catcher.  When I hear a small ping I tap the catcher gently with a hammer.  Usually it falls of gracefully.  If this method fails a diamond saw is used to cut the catcher and pot apart.  After the catcher is removed the sharp glaze layer on the bottom of the pot is ground smooth.