First glaze firing

So it's been a while ! busy busy busy ? Work rest and play and all ! 

I have today been unpacking my first full glaze firing in my new kiln that has been slightly modified ie the burners have been raised and the inlet for the burners have been reduced , y'day was hectic started firing at 12 pm and finished at 10.40 pm ish slow climb in temp reducing around 950c even slower then till 1270c followed by a 1/2hr soak at that temp opened the kiln this evening found mostly good pots although there was a few that didn't make the grade ha ! 

Learning to pot / throw / turn etc has been very enjoyable and I have taken to it very well and had some great encouragement on the way from all, but for me the hardest curve (that I am still driving) is the chemistry, glazing, I'm sure I will enjoy eventually ! ' Won't I ' .

I do feel out of my comfort zone ! 

I have copied a couple of glaze recipes that are successfully for other potters , the results are mostly good and I can only strive to improve.

Here is a photo of me unpacking my kiln.

Cheers

Till the next time 

1st Test Firing

Big learning curve


It has warmed up here nicely, the past couple of weeks have been nice apart from the odd thunderstorm in the evenings, that's to be expected this time of year, one evening last week the lights flickered with a very large thunder clap that felt as if it was just over head then an eerie sizzle from our sitting room lights which led a slight panic from us both and to 4 hrs of candle light ! and a nervous wait to see if the tv / wifi was ok !!! All was ok by the morning, all the Masia was knocked out, about  8 houses in all.

    Anyhow the first test firing was okish, I fired the kiln slowly up over several hours to about 1280c plus , I say that because at around 1140c the pyrometer had a fault so I had to go by the cone 10

Started kiln on a low flame with both new burners, I was very pleased with them they worked very well !!!

slowly but surely 714c

 

Some of the fired pots, the okish ones ha , I did not achieve a good reduction but to honest I didn't expect to much !!! although I was quietly pleased with the overall test firing.

I am saving for my next additions which will be 4 new kiln shelves also  I have a new pyrometer probe and sheath on order from the USA . He he 

Some mugs just been thrown !

So all in all we are progressing to another bisque firing, I just need to be patient !! and practice more ha easier said then done a!!

I have moved the studio around a few time lately but I am sure I have it right now, work table is in the centre and I have three areas, work area includes treadle wheel with new work thrown & kiln, bisque area and a small show area for finished pots. happy happy happy days.

Till the next time. Adrian

New gas kiln

It seems ages since my last chatter !!!


Well we have been so so busy, our annual visit back to the UK visiting family and friends, we took to the high sea in early April and returned at the end having what I can only describe as a whirlwind tour ha.

So since our return I have been busy putting the finishing touches to the two gas kilns that I started months ago !

Firstly Catherine's kiln is well on the way to a first kiln firing and mine well is imminent   !!!  ha

This is my new gas kiln

Kiln floor and chimney build 

Here I am applying a white ceramic cement which will protect the fibre during firing and prolong the life of the kiln ! 

First few coats applied also the ceramic tile floor is in.

I have been kindly loaned the kiln shelves and have glazed a few pots for the first firing !!! It's know where near to how I want it, so dont take to much notice( its a first firing) !!! but hey gotta start somewhere ha

I need to get a decent pyrometer etc and various kiln furniture before I will be a happy boy.

😎

Till the next time.

Adrian

Almond blossom has arrived

               Driving into Castellon this morning was a lovely experience the fragrance from the Almond blossom all around us as I stopped to take this picture , really special . Just for you Doris & Leo.

              We have just returned from Barcelona visiting our our family / grandson whom we met for a short weekend break, Wow what a great city it is, although we have been there a few times it's always been when we have had a couple of hours to kill whilst at the airport. I would like to spend more time exploring the city ! Maybe one day. Worth a trip back .
 

                I have been busy preparing and making the frame for kiln 2 ( All mine ) .

Having researched for the build a massive thanks goes to those people that take the time to post videos on youtube of their Pottery/studios/kilns etc especially Angela Walford Ceramics as our kilns are based on hers and she has been very helpfull answering a few questions,  cheers Ang.

Finished welding even a coat of paint to cover my bad welding ha 

 

The kiln frame fits ! In its new home all that's needed now is to build it up yeehaa .


Reminder to me ! must move the pool cover ?

Till the next time.

Building a kiln

Building a kiln for Catherine

     Over the last few months / weeks I have been researching and designing a gas fired kiln for Catherine.

     She had in her garden a 1000 Lt water cube, the metal cage is ideal for the outside of the kiln.  I started by cutting one side off and that will now form the roof, !!!  I have formed the door and door frame out of angle iron that we recycled from an old disused european style potters kickwheel which would have gone as scrap.

       Catherine wants a front loading kiln that she can load and unload without bending, so we have raised it onto blocks, we will be lining the kiln with ceramic fiber and the chimney will be high tempurture kiln bricks. Lots more work to do ! 

     

This is how the cage was to start with.

The side cut off which now forms the roof.

  kiln sitting on top of blocks

kiln sitting on top of blocks waiting for next Phase !

Studio [somewhat] finished

Happy new year all , It's been a while since my last post as I have been having loads of trouble uploading photos to blogger ! So I am having a go on my mobile ! Here goes -:

I have been busy in the studio not on the wheel unfortunately , no I have been tiling the floor all finished and is now a much cleaner environment to work in.

Also acquired a new table thanks to dear Doris thanks again.

 Yesterday was the first time on the wheel since well before Xmas !!! Anyhow I attempted my first teapot and threw a few bud vases also

Anyhow I hope to blog more often if this works !!!

Till the next time 

Raku , Joy & Happiness.

Results from my first Raku firing

Joy / Happiness

Raku is a type of pottery originating from Japan meaning Joy happiness and is traditionally used in the Japanese tea ceremony, most often in the form of tea bowls, they are fairly porous vessels, the results can be amazing depending on what type of glaze etc. so I think I shall be experimenting !!! oh yes.

 

Results from my first Raku firing


 

 

October has been very busy and living in a very rural area sourcing materials can be difficult, so I jumped at the offer from my potter friend Rob Farrar saying he would be going to our pottery supplier in Valencia and do I want him to get a ready made Raku glaze for me ! And as I didn't really want to make my own Raku glaze (at this point) this was ideal.

 

 

 

 

Overall I am pleased with the results although I have a lot to learn about putting the glaze on at the correct thickness etc and  I probably fired the pots for a little too long.

 

 

 

Pots glazed ready for firing

My small bisque / raku kiln during firing.
 

So I shall take this firing and hopefully improve, but I must say I have so enjoyed the process and find it fascinating.

 

Maggie beavering away with what she calls a scrap quilt
 

 

 

 I suggested it was a chaos quilt only to be told wait until its finished my dear !!! ha

 

 

I am looking forward to the end result and If I can produce ceramic pots as well as her scrap quilt I will be a happy chap.

 

Till the next time !