This Batch
Did another glaze firing. This kiln load was mostly pots thrown using "Long Beach" clay from Aardvark. It is a light brown clay with a little bit of grog (not completely smooth). It holds its shape well. I threw a bunch of vases and bowls using that clay.
This glaze firing did not go smoothly (again). I'm still learning how to use the Fuji controller on the kiln. My problem was that I programmed the controller to ramp up the temperature too quickly. After six hours the controller figured out that it could not achieve the requested temperature in the allotted time so it shut down. I had to adjust the program and try again. Eventually I will get it right.
These Bowls
The five bowls in the picture are each between 2 and 3 inches tall and about 7.5 inches in diameter. They are suitable for nuts or candy or small serving bowls.
Ida's White
This is my favorite. The iron in the Long Beach clay (that's what gives it the light brown color) burns through the Ida's white glaze giving it brown specks.
Vegas Red
This one has Ida's white outside and Vegas Red inside. The Vegas Red glaze was not evenly applied so it "crawled" some leaving a few bare clay spots on the inside of the bowl.
Clear
This was glazed using the "Clear Base" glaze from Aardvark. The glaze actually looks light gray when fired in a reduction environment. This bowl appears to have been in a cooler part of the kiln because the glaze is not smooth (not fully melted). It actually gives the bowl an interesting look.
Double Dip
This bowl was dipped into Navy Blue glaze from one side and Vegas Red glaze from the other side. The Navy Blue in a reduction firing comes out almost black. The Vegas Red is a very temperamental glaze. If it is fired too long or too hot it turns gray. If it is not thick enough it is also gray. So only part of the outside of the bowl is red. The final result is still interesting.
Snake Skin
This bowl was dipped in clear base glaze and then the rim was dipped in Navy Blue. Like the clear bowl above this bowl appears to have been in a cooler part of the kiln. The result is a lumpy (not smooth) surface. When I showed it to my wife she thought it looked like snake skin. I like the effect.
Other Pots
Many of the other pots from this firing are also interesting. I'll share them in other blog entries.
