Tuesday was the day I've been waiting for. At 1.30pm sharp the team were all there, waiting to start the unloading of the 107th firing of the Soda kiln at Shadbolt Centre. The kiln is showing its age, with some nasty chunks having fallen into pots which were placed on the bottom ledge of the door. Tony was considering whether repairs are in order or…
Deadlines are good! I booked myself in to join a soda firing at Shadbolt Centre's Vault kiln on May 22nd. So, at the beginning of May, I cleaned the red earthenware out of my wheel and started work with Plainsman H555 and Georgie's Umpqua cone 10 stoneware clay. I made my two cubic feet quota of ware, including carved bowls, jugbirds and more, and bisque-fired…
There's always more to learn when you toy with atmospheric firing. People ask how it went and the answer is 'well 80%', often. That's good. Overall the colours looked encouraging when we opened the kiln door but my batch seems rather brown. I shall refer to my notes and make suggestions to myself to try a different flashing slip, or apply less etc. Every time…
Once again I had the chance to join fellow potters in a firing of the Vault Kiln at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts. Hoping that having my name on their waiting list would earn me a chance, I had thrown some experimental pieces back in November. Lucky me, I was invited to bring my two cubic feet of ware for this firing. The pots are…
Let's see if I can complete the accounts of my English holiday with this blog. I had just three days to spend with my sister Mary, enjoy Salisbury again, see some friends and find another potter. On the Monday I'd arranged to have lunch with my god-daughter Amanda and her husband Clive. Their new home is Mallard House so of course I needed to make a…