Fraser Valley Potters’ Guild invited its members to take part in a joint soda firing instead of having a Christmas Party, just like last year. Lots of people signed up so, as before, we were given a 12″ x 12″ x 8″ space to fill, with the request that we bring at least one piece that was 9″ tall or more.
This was a chance to see if some of my pots from the October soda firing would be improved by another toasting. On December 1st I took along two largish pieces that had already been cooked and one new mug. As I placed them on the shelves near the kiln I was encouraged to leave a third one which needed re-firing (my huge 13″ jug) in the glaze room just in case there was room. Lucky me, it turned out that there weren’t as many pots as expected and my four pieces found homes in areas of the kiln where flames and soda could circulate well.
As is now the system during Covid the techs did the loading and firing, although some members did help with spraying in the soda, and removing test rings as the firing ended. The kiln cooled for four days until a few of us were able to meet at the Vault Kiln at 10am last Wednesday, and some pots were still warm! Here are photos of the front and back shelves and generally we agreed that it was a good, melt-y and colourful firing.
We each collected pots by potters in our neighbourhood, so I was on the watch for work by Eliza Wang, Hannah Chan, Carlene Akester and Dorothy Doherty as well as my own.
The sun came out and it was a happy crew cleaning the shelves and applying fresh kiln wash for the next group. Photographer and FVPG member Abhay Patil took some random shots.. I’ve noted which are his in their captions. Thanks.. he captured my delight at the kiln door opening!
The second soda firing on three of my pieces was well worth it. They’re now suitably glossy and bright, with a nice amount of orange peel. Thank you for your expertise Shadbolt clay technicians.. Jay, Tony and Cheryl.
Now I’ve glazed and fired the last earthenware batch of 2021 in my home electric kiln and that kiln turned itself off this morning. My next blog will show some jolly plates.
