Long day in the studio today. Started with a three hour hand building class followed by a quick lunch and then a Raku firing. We also had a few pele drop by to play with clay including a young boy and his mom.
Here is a picture of a raku piece from today. It's a really simple white crackle glaze using cedar chips for post fire reduction. There were a number of really nice pieces today and I am inspired to experiment with some other new glazes. Right now we only have three and we have spent about six months sort of perfecting them.
I unloaded the glaze kiln today as well. Here are some of the first plates for a special order. I am thrilled with the results. Not sure how much detail comes through in the photo but they are really rustic, sensible, and earthy. Easy to handle and very durable. I lost one to cracking and one is a little too rustic......I have six more in the bisque kiln tonight so will get them glazed later this week. Yeah!
First tiles came out of the kiln. I use a very simple calcium matte glaze from a book called 'Mastering Cone Six' it's called Bone. I substitute the rutile as it makes the glaze too yellow with titanium. It contains no opacifiers but it crystallizes here and there giving it a nice variable finish that is both durable and attractive. I will experiment with copper oxide and cobalt engobes to see where we can take these tiles. They will be available at the local lamb and goat conference here on Lopez in May.
Lastly I have a finished jug. It holds about 3 liters or 128 oz. of liquid. I would like it to hold one galln so will keep working on it but I am thrilled with the finished project! It just needs a stopper.
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