I’m whipped! I spent Saturday morning and afternoon glazing my cone 10 work and then loading the 30 cu. ft. gas Cooper kiln at the Colorado Potter’s Guild. On Sunday morning, before the sun was up, I was back at the guild helping to fire the kiln. Based on previous logs, we expected it to take about 12 hours for the kiln to fire; however, our firing took 14 hours. I didn’t get home till after 8pm. Not everyone who had work in the kiln stayed for the entire firing, but I stuck it out since I want to be able to fire it myself some day and gain a little independence. If I keep up my momentum, I could even fill it up with my work one day.
Willow Connery managed the firing and I feel more confident that I will be able to do it myself someday. I think the guild requires that you fire 3 times with someone else, before being able to do it alone. I think that’s fair, since I’m new to cone 10 reduction firings in a gas kiln. One could really screw up the glazes if proper reduction isn’t accomplished. That would be unfortunate for a new member to start off on the wrong foot if I messed up a bunch of other people’s work.
My daughter is still home sick - and this morning, I felt the twinge of a sore throat. I’m rushing out today to get some Emergen-C.
Have a great week,
~Cynthia
Tags: ceramics, Colorado Potters Guild, cooper gas kiln, pottery, willow connery
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The work looks great Cynthia!
And that vase looks to die for !!!!
Hugs
Chae
That thing is h u g e !!
Wow, that’s one hell of a kiln!
I hope your daughter gets better soon and that you find some time to rest - you’ll be more likely to catch something if you don’t.
That’s a shame some of your mugs didn’t survive the firing (from last post). Were they the gorgeous square bottomed ones?
Fantastic that you sold some items before you even got to the show though! What a great feeling that must be!
Hey Chae, that’s not my vase - that is Willow’s (the gal who led the firing). She was actually refiring the piece since she didn’t like the way it turned out. Believe it or not.
It is huge - but not as large as some kilns I’ve seen before!
Thanks Undaunted - daughter stayed home from school but by this afternoon was all better! She is definitely going to school tomorrow. The mugs I lost were some late adds. The squared off mugs are at the show in Evergreen till the 23rd - unless someone buys them.
I did not know they made such huge kilns. The layering looks somewhat precarious. I think I would worry about having to load it with someone else’s work.
That’s so cool you already had sold work before you even got there! It looks like too much fun to be around so many creative people and big equipment. Oh…the ceramic envy I feel! Your new work is fantastic, heck I knew it would be. Sending love!!!
PS. Try fresh rosemary in a pot of water, steam, drape towel over your head, hang head over pot, and breath in the rosemary steam. Rosemary is an powerful antimicrobial in it’s oil form and getting it in and down the throat and lungs will help clear the yuckiest out. Fell better both of you I am sending you healthy energy!!!
love the post… a day/week in the life of Cynthia-very cool.nice platter….aweome kilns… you looked beautifull all dressed up with the jewelry on!!! I love that house too….
Wow! Fourteen hours for a firing. I’m yawning just thinking of that! Whew! What a lot of work to go in at one time. It is a lot of responsibility for a lot of people’s work. Did the vase go in on it’s side or are there vertical areas in the frame work where it can stand upright? Just curious. It’s coming. . .2 days until the show!
Janet - stacking the kiln is a bit like puzzle pieces and trying to allow enough air flow through the shelves. Willow is the master though!
Thanks Heather - I don’t think I’m getting sick after all. I think I’m just physically tired after an extended period of work. Daughter is all better now too - she’s going to school today. I’m trying to catch up on sleep and being kind to my body. I am going to file the info away about the rosemary - I love the smell of it!
Awe shucks, Judi - thanks!
Yep, I was yawning too, Mary - by 2pm in the afternoon! Luckily it’s not something I have to do very often.
No, the vase went right side up - there was just enough room.
Loved your previous post wih you and your mentor, Mary, all dressed up. I checked Mary’s site and will probably order some of her jewels - they are so unique. That house was spectacular - I too would love to tour the inside.
What a great kiln. How nice to be able to load outside the kiln and then slide the cart in - am I assuming that correctly? The lower right corner of the kiln, are those two fire bricks there because there is a hot spot in the kiln?
Are your bowls footed? Just curious how the flat platters turn out in the kiln. I have been experimenting with mine which are not footed and have been placing rolled logs of clay underneath them to prevent warpage when they are fired. Does anyone do that with this kiln? If not, have they had any trouble with warping of their larger platters or plates?
If I think I am getting ill, I take an herbal supplement called ‘The Wellness Forumla’, which has vitamins, herbs and garlice all rolled into one - it always does the trick. Congratulations on the sales you have already made at the show, your work is beautiful. Can’t wait to see what comes out of this kiln load.
Pheew! I broke a sweat just reading.
p.s. What an adorable photo of you working!
Linda - It’s a car or shuttle type kiln. I wish I had something like that at home because it makes loading it a lot easier and there’s less strain on your back. Yes, my bowls are footed normally, though I’m going to experiment with some non footed ones in the future. Being around other potter’s gives me that motivation to try new things. I think only one of the flat platters warped in the firing, and no clay wads were added. I know she waxed the platters, but am not sure if she added a little alumina hydrate to the wax or not.
Thanks Kesha - I think I’m due for some down time!
Oooh layers and layers of lovely ceramic pieces, this looks like so much fun and oh what a beautiful vase!! I’m so sorry that your daughter is still sick and I hope you don’t get it too Cyn. Here’s hoping she will get well soon. Congrats on your awards!