In the previous blog I showed photos of most of the work that was fired in the Shadbolt Centre’s Vault Kiln for eleven enthusiastic members of TriCity Potters. There’s lots of good colour resulting from a variety of sprayed flashing slips. Some folks thought things were rather grey but that is something to learn about and use or avoid in future firings. Some slips are best without too much soda and flame. Others generated pretty blue orange peel almost all over.

Last night, at the group’s monthly meeting via jitsi (sort of Zoom), members looked at my blog and discussed their results, with soda workshop participants showing us their favourite pieces. It isn’t the same as holding a pot and admiring and learning in person, but it’s the best we can do for now. Members were also going to watch a Goldmark video on Walter Keeler but the technology didn’t allow for me to see it. I shall download it for myself and watch it another day. The others know I’m a mad keen fan of WK and his work, having taken a workshop with him at ECIAD in ?1989 or 90, taken seven tour participants to visit his studio in Wales when he was actually firing his salt kiln and sat mesmerized as he demonstrated at the Seattle NCECA.

I now have decent photos of my work from the soda firing and generally I am pleased with the results. To keep me humble, my large Bird Bowl is imperfect. The stoneware clay reminded me that I must not add sections that are softer, and therefore have a little more shrinking to do, to parts that are already firmer. I know that! But there are tiny cracks at several joins so the piece is not gallery quality. I may let a friend give it a home or perhaps drill a hole for drainage and use it as a succulent planter. Nevertheless I shall make another one, when there’s another soda firing in sight.

My favourite piece is this Water Jugbird. I call it that because it is large and might be perfect as a water jug. A local collector already has her eye on this piece and she may well use it for Margaritas in the summer!

I made a large robust tea-pot and sprayed it with ‘salt blue’ flashing slip. I believe the recipe is a version of Jane Hamlyn’s slip. With a sploosh of titanium dioxide on each side there is a green surprise. Unlike a salt firing, the orange peel isn’t all the way around and part of the pot is brown.. but that’s soda and is quite OK.

My other jugbird and a non-bird jug may well be kept for a second soda firing. I think both would be made delicious with a re-fire. I did that with one mug and a tiny yunomi and it did the trick.

Otherwise my two cubic feet was filled with some generous-sized mugs, a little bowl for me, yunomis and a teeny vase. The last is perfect for enjoying forget-me-nots and bluebells from my Spring garden.