Disappointed…
I had enough ware to have a glaze fire the other day in my electric kiln. I used one of my new favorite clear ^6 glaze recipes, courtesy of a Lana Wilson. Though it’s not on her website. The clear is so easy to make and gives consistent results. It also brushes on quite nicely so that one doesn’t have to make a big bucket batch if space is limited. I sieved it 2 times in an 80 mesh sieve before using.
| Clear ^6 Glaze | |
| Gerstley Borate | 50 | Kaolin | 20 | Silica | 30 | Totals | 100 |
I had my glaze fire on Monday, and yesterday morning when I cracked open the kiln to let it continue cooling, I was super excited. I noticed that the cake platter had not warped and was intact. Boy, was I happy! Later in the day, when I unloaded the kiln, I noticed a hairline crack on the interior rim. Sniff, sniff, I was so sad. I’m trying to think how I can avoid this in the future. Maybe, I need to use stoneware instead of porcelain for objects that consistently have issues. So, I’ll try again. I think it takes a certain masochism to work with a material that isn’t always guaranteed to come out perfectly everytime. What’s that old saying, “That which doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger.” I’m holding out hope.
On another note, the smaller porcelain platters that I had expected to warp or slump in the firing came out great! Don’t have photos yet, maybe later today. I had intended to take my photographs yesterday, but it rained all afternoon and I shoot all my photos outside.
On the bright side, I have lots and lots of porcelain pendants and earrings! That seems to be what has been selling lately in my Etsy Shop.
Happy Wednesday everyone!
May 23rd, 2007 at 8:02 pm
What hairline crack girly!? Seriously, WHEREEEEE! I think you did a wonderful job!
I love the earrings as well!
*HUGS*
May 23rd, 2007 at 10:19 pm
I was wondering where the crack was also. It is lovely.
May 23rd, 2007 at 10:25 pm
Is the crack that sort of raised looking line around or am I just not seeing the darn thing? I’m not sure I see the crack!
I’m so sorry, because that is a seriously beautiful piece, otherwise! I mean seriously beautiful. I’m even thinking of coming down in June! to the ASL to see all the stalls.
May 23rd, 2007 at 11:03 pm
Oh, there’s a crack there all right. You can see it on the 3rd photograph close-up.
Thanks for your comments, Angela, Janet and Mary.
And, I would love to meet you Mary! If you want I’ll send you an invitation in the mail. There are some amazing artists at SAM, painters, ceramicists, print-makers, sculptors, fiber artists etc. My advice is to come early, because it gets pretty crowded and HOT after lunch. Or, if it rains, come after the rain storm, because everyone has gone home.
May 24th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Cynthia, I got the earrings you made yesterday. I LOVE them….Green is my fav. colour, too. Thank u so much!
May 24th, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Ugh frustrating! Such a beautiful piece. I’m off to check out your Etsy shop!
May 24th, 2007 at 10:54 pm
Oh Cyn what an absolute gorgeous piece and I had a hard time seeing the crack too! Is it that tiny dark stripe going around the top edge? This is really beautiful and those pendants are like little jewels!!
May 25th, 2007 at 3:17 am
Oh pOO, that sucks Cynthia, oh the platter is so beautiful too :(, can you use it or break it up and use the peices mosaic style?
May 25th, 2007 at 9:34 am
The pendants and earings look fantastic!
Try try again I guess….Argh!
May 25th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Well, my home is slowly filling with work that is not good enough to sell, but it’s still functional. So guess what? My family now has a cake plate, albeit one with a crack. It will match the mugs that came out of the same firing with a hairline crack around the top of the handle. : )
I’m so glad you like them Diana!!
Thanks Lynette! Oh poo is right, Jafabrit - but I’m going to use it anyway. I want it to be perfect, Heather!!!