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Wednesday, June 09, 2010

my (lumpy) creative space

Last week's kiln firing wasn't entirely amazing; I tried to refire a few pots from the week before that were underglazed (I didn't hold them in the glaze long enough and so the coverage was thin and dry), only to discover with stoneware, that if you don't get it right first time, don't bother refiring. (But how nice is this design? I'll definately be making more like this and some with a shorter cut for smaller feathers)The feathers weren't quite bright enough on these pieces eitherThe yellow glaze on the inside was beatiful first time round, but after refiring it bubbled and melted down inside the pot, making the colour uneven and streaky.The reapplied clear glaze on the outside didn't improve at all, leaving the body dry and scratchy, and most surprisingly the entire clay body bubbled, creating lumps all over the pots, both in glazed and unglazed areas. The cobalt glaze shows best how the glaze remelted and pooled into the bottom of the pot, creating air bubbles.

So today's lesson in ceramics (or at least stoneware); get it right first time round.

More creative spaces and people can be found at Kootoyoo's.

17 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing this. I love to see the how & the why.

    Sorry it didn't work out but a valuable experience anyway.

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  2. This is really a craft I would love to learn one day when the kids are out of the house. Bummer you had a bit of a hassle this week but I still think they are lovely to look at. :)

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  3. It all looks gorgeous to me mistakes and all! Hope firing goes better for you next time.

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  4. i think they all still look marvelous... regardless. id still buy them and be happy to have them! xx

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  5. I love your work. I've added your blog to my google reader.

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  6. Sounds like a tricky learning curve-I love your peices especially your feather design. Remember theres no mistakes just lessons we haven't learnt yet!

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  7. Better luck next time hey? It all counts as experience and sometime we create the most lovely things from mistakes. Grow some herbs in your mugs or make some sort of garden sculpture.

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  8. Your work is great! You've got a new reader now.

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  9. I think you're pretty lucky even to have your 'seconds' in your house. They're still so lovely! But a lesson you'll remember too I guess.

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  10. love this design detail. and the colours :)

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  11. Wow! You are very talented and I think it looks great despite the glaze problems. I love the feather cup.

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  12. The feather design is brilliant!

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  13. i think you may be a harsh critic. i'm sure i have paid good money for pieces that don't look anywhere near as good as these. i love your feather design

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  14. i agree ~ they still look lovely! But I know how it feels to strive for perfection. Great to see your etsy store growing!

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