April 27th Firing

I unloaded last Tuesday's firing and found a few good pieces and a couple losers. Unlike the last firing, which was slightly under fired, I made sure to reach a solid cone 10 temperature before turning off the gas and heading to bed. This longer firing didn't suit one of my green glazes and I had three pots who's glaze melted onto the shelf and will require some grinding to remove the remnants.

The Supervisor

I have noticed from reading other potters' blogs that they enjoy the company of pets, usually cats, in the studio and I am no exception. Our Bob does not like to be petted, picked up or do lap duty but he does enjoy keeping an eye on the activity in the house, yard and studio.

Here are some photos of our Bob-cat performing his watch.

Casseroles, Casseroles, Casseroles!

Casseroles (and serving dishes) are about the only thing I want to make these days. And thanks to my slab roller - bought off Craig's List - I can make non-round pieces.

First, a well wedged piece of clay is cubed and tossed onto the table until is it flat enough to go through the rollers.

I have found that the slabs of clay need to shrink and firm up before being attached to the bottomless sides to keep them from separating later in the process.

In the third photo you can see where my fingers pushed against the sides as I rolled the texturizing cylinder around the outside.

When the slab is ready, bring out the Magic Water. (What a wonderful name for water with some sodium silicate to aid in adhesion. It is a recipe from Lana Wilson I got from a pottery magazine. It works like magic!)

Score and slip (photo 4) then add a coil to reinforce the joint. In the 5th photo I haven't smoothed out the coil. Again, apply liberal amounts of Magic Water.

After a period of rest another slab is draped over the top and coaxed into a domed shape. After it is very firm a surform is used to gently shape the edges so they fit in the galley of the piece.

The photos at the top are pieces slowly drying and getting ready for a bisque firing. I'm anxious to see how they turn out but it will be several

more weeks before they can be glazed and fired in the big gas kiln.

Patience, Patience.

Anderson Island Gift Shop is Open

Anderson Island is situated in south Puget Sound and, like other islands in the area, has it's own special history. The Anderson Island Historical Society was formed to preserve this history and part of their mission is to operate the gift shop in an old chicken coop that was part of the Johnson Farm. (For more information about the farm see http://andersonislandhs.org/)

This Saturday the gift shop will be opened after it's usual winter break and I will again have some of my pottery for sale. I have several baking/serving pieces that are new as well as some bowls and mugs. For such a small shop there is a wide variety of merchandise at all price points. If you are on the island during a weekend, stop by for a visit. The shop is open 12pm to 4pm Saturdays and Sundays.

Here is some of my work.