October Pots
I couldn’t wait any longer to see the results of my experiments with the PSH400 earthenware clay, and get the latest jugbirds fired, so this was not a full kiln load. Thank you once again, Shelley, for allowing me to use your fine kiln. Now I can plan a trip in to Granville Island to leave most of these new pots in Circle Craft Co-op.
First, here are the five jolly jugbirds.
I’m very pleased with the two carved pieces I made with the white earthenware clay. Spraying the bone-dry pieces with watered-down coloured slip is much nicer and easier than dipping them in slip or painting it over all those grooves. Tell me what you think of the effect. I think the black and grey spray on the lidded one looks like marble. Of course slips sprayed like this on stoneware clay and fired in soda would have a totally different effect. There’ll be some in the November firing..
I was pleased with this large bowl, made with D’Arcy Redart earthenware, when it was freshly carved. But now that it has been sprayed with Fall colours and clear-glazed, the effect is not very different from giving it a coat of terra sigillata. It’s still useful!
Otherwise the kiln contained four very different plates. Clearly I was just having fun. There’s a boldly painted large slab one, a thrown one and two featuring sgraffito over my coloured slips.
I’ve been reconstituting some decades-old D’Arcy clay from Burnaby potter Rosemary Amon. It slakes down beautifully. She’s holding a Final Pottery Sale on Saturday before her big move to Victoria. You should go, there are lots of her fine pots still available!
Now my wheel has been thoroughly cleaned out and I’ve started working with a box of Plainsman H555 stoneware clay. I think I’ll make more than the required two cubic feet for my next group firing in the Vault kiln. It never hurts to have extra pots at the ready, and we’ve heard that TriCity Potters have been offered another firing in the Spring. I’d still like to have some pots fired in a salt kiln. The all-over orange peel is the best. But I do appreciate the unpredictable results of soda firing and will do that as long as I am able. Here are the pots I have made so far.
Wishing you all a grand Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. Our super platter by now-deceased British potter Richard Godfrey is perfect for a Fall welcome in our hallway. I found it in a Parksville, Vancouver Island ‘junque’ shop. Imagine its journey from Devon.
That large carved bowl is Amazing!
Also like the effects on the leaves plate. I love autumn anyway. Isn’t it beautiful to go on walks in the fall and breathe in the earthy smells with leaves that will turn into mulch and temporary shelter for small creatures!
I do appreciate your comments Claudia. And yes, I love Fall and its colours and smells and crinkly leaves.