Read more about the article May Soda
My 15 pots, including the re-fired teapot

May Soda

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…

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Read more about the article Soda Selection
Grooved jar with lid

Soda Selection

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…

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Read more about the article Soda Surfaces
First pots set out in the sunshine

Soda Surfaces

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…

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Another Great Soda Firing!

It was a hot Summer afternoon when we gathered in Deer Lake Park to unload the Vault Kiln on Tuesday. Right away we could see that the techs had fired the kiln successfully, with even some cone 12s having started melting. We saw lots of carbon trapping and orange peel on pots on the front shelves as we waited for all participants to join us. front…

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