Teeny Tiny World

Tiny porcelain vessels pulled off the hump

The Thanksgiving day celebrations went on through the night here. At 10 P.M. I had had enough and put myself promptly to bed. I just couldn't take any more eating, drinking or cheer with family. The upside to getting to bed at 10 is that by five in the morning I was bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready to take on some clay. Having been inspired by a web link to some teeny tiny raku vessels (thank you Sarah) I was seated at my wheel working some tiny vessels of my own.

Two hours into the adventure I determined that teeny tiny vessel throwing was easier than it looked, but I was determined to make it work. I am dying to see pieces like this china painted with fairies and bugs and tiny flowers and little mice with dresses on them. Every step of production though is a nail biting experience, but four finishes out of six tries isn't so bad for a start and I have to honestly say that I feel like I'm on the brink of discovering something big.

Firin' Friday

Wares glazed and waitin' for some heat

It's a dreary, chilly day here. Perfect for firin' up the kiln!

I glazed a few vessels this week. I was happy to find that they were dry and ready for the kiln this morning. Nine o'clock sharp they went into the kiln. Today is a bit of an experimental day. I bought a new collar which raised my kiln up by about 4". I ran a test fire a few weeks ago but it took many, many hours to reach <04.

Kiln at its normal size

New collar raising the kiln height

Of course, I had a shelf placed in the kiln that was much larger than the one I am using this morning. I believe that shelf prevented the upper portion of the kiln to get the proper amount of heat, so this smaller shelf should work much better. My rice bowl sits perfectly in the spot too!

I'm trying every which way to deal with the fact that I really need a larger kiln. I'm not sure this solution works, but there are definitely some advantages to having the higher collar. I can now fire a few of the larger vases I threw on the wheel and I can finally fire my bisque Pixie without worrying about her head frying to a crisp! LOL

Finishing Up

HA Arab commission in dappled grey

I haven't been too chatty this week. I'm really just busy finishing up a couple of deadlines and working on the commissions left in the studio. I know I've put them off for my pottery wheel long enough. I was always more disciplined than I have been recently. I can only say that I love how it feels to be working on the wheel. It's very mediative for me and relaxing. It's also wonderful to create art in a matter of 15 minutes or less.

This was probably my most favorite vessel from the "Mother's Day" batch. It unfortunately cracked when I pulled it out of the kiln for the horsehair process. I heard it pop twice and saw the crack running up along the edge. A most disheartening sight and sound. I've decided not to use this technique on any of the low fire clay vessels I've created. I'll use it only on the stoneware and porcelain pieces. I suspect these clays can handle the changes in temp. much better.

Horsehair vessel

But as you can see I am still working on horses. I'm scheduled to paint a Fraley "Sucre". I can see her in bloody shoulder and will most likely have her in my hands by the weekend. Lynn always ships so promptly. I love that. I also managed to snag a Scarlett. I promised myself that I would cool it on resins, but since my studio is fairly clean of unwanted resins for now and the urge to paint one of these lady's hit me recently I decided to jump on the email when it came through from Tumlinson.
I'm thinking roan perhaps?

Hopefully somewhere in all these color decisions and new pieces I'll get the urge to finish up a few pieces I started like my second Smittyn resin and, of course, the Stormwatch. Unfortunately for all resins involved I have to physically pass my wheel in order to get to my work station. LOL