Soda Firing at the Colorado Potters Guild on Sept. 6 & DNC
- The soda kiln in action at the Colorado Potters Guild
Guild members, Ginny, Jackie and Kate injecting salt burritos in the vapor kiln last April
On September 6 – less than 2 weeks from now, the guild is holding a group vapor firing for any members who want to learn about the process and participate. Currently, only about 5-6 people use the vapor kiln at the guild. I love the look of salt glazed pottery, and in fact, it’s mostly what I buy when I buy pottery for myself because it’s not something I make myself. I need to get a few small pots ready between now and then so that I can get in on the action and even think I still have a bit of cone 10 porcelain left in the studio to do so. I don’t really know a whole lot about atmospheric firing because I fire in an electric kiln at home for convenience. I borrowed the book below from the guild to read up on the process and philosophy before firing day. I used to interchange soda and salt for this type of firing, but now know there’s a difference. I’ll have to see what method the kiln director plans to use.
Meanwhile, I’ve been messing around with the template of my site and think I may have found the theme I want to use, but it needs a few tweaks. It’s called Mandigo and for my first test run yesterday, I was pretty happy with it and think I can make it do what I want. My static pages can be configured to have no sidebar like a website and the blog page can have either 1 or 2 sidebars. I also know enough about using templates to make color, font, border, graphic changes, etc.
As you probably know, Denver is hosting the Democratic National Convention this week and it’s turned the city upside down. I tried getting tickets to Invesco Field (where the Broncos play) on Thursday night so that I could hear Barack Obama accept the Democratic Presidential Nominee, but I am currently wait listed (and highly doubtful that I’ll score tickets at this point). 40,000 tickets were allotted to Colorado residents, and over 80,000 Coloradans applied for one. Needless to say, I’m disappointed, but also relieved because I’ll avoid the heightened security and throngs of people attending the event. I-25, a major highway that bisects Denver will be closed on Thursday night since it is adjacent to Invesco – it’s going to be a real mess for anyone trying to drive anywhere near there that night.
It is exciting to have the DNC here in town. Tomorrow, I’m taking my daughter out of school for the day to go downtown to take in the “Presidential Experience”, go to Civic Center, City and Cuernavaca Parks where many of the protesters are camped out and are going to visit a few art galleries and public art exhibitions dedicated to the political process. My daughter is almost 11 now, and I think it will be interesting for both of us. Her teacher gave us her blessing, so hooky it is. My husband also put his name in a lottery to see Rage Against the Machine perform at the Denver Coliseum on Wednesday as part of the DNC events happening around the city. I’m not really interested in this event – their music is way to angry for me.
That’s about it from me today,
~Cynthia
Janet
August 25, 2008 at 4:44 pm //
Salt does neat things to so many mediums.
Ben Stark
August 25, 2008 at 5:48 pm //
Looks like the firing will be tons of fun! Try not to inhale the fumes
I would love to go see Rage live! Tell your husband I’m jealous. (I like angry music
Linda Starr
August 25, 2008 at 10:41 pm //
Love your new tumblers at the header. Soda firing looks like fun.
Noelle
August 26, 2008 at 3:17 am //
Hey Cynthia! I am just learning about salt/soda firing myself…and I am in love with it. Check out my latest blog posting on the firing I did with Watershed’s Director, Tyler Gulden. I have a great image of Tyler spraying soda ash into the kiln at cone 10. Also, let me know how you like the book…I’ve been thinking of ordering it. I have Gail Nichol’s book (Soda, Fire & Clay, I think it’s called) which has allot of useful information, but I enjoy the effects of salt more than soda.
Melody Madden
August 26, 2008 at 5:10 am //
I was watcing the Democratic Convention last night on tv and I thought about you as it was being held on Colorado. Even though I live in Canada I am an American political junkie. Couldn’t stay up to hear Michelle Obama speak but will find it on CNN today I’m sure. Would have been great to hear him speak but you never know……something might free up. My husband John loves Rage Against The Machine but I prefer something much more mellow….
Cynthia
August 26, 2008 at 6:09 am //
You are so right, Janet!!
Hey Ben – I don’t dislike RATM, but I have to be in a certain frame of mind to listen to them. My husband should find out this morning whether or not he scored tickets. I was told to bring a respirator to the firing in Sept. and was just reading about the noxious fumes, salt firing gives off which is why soda firing is a safer choice. I sort of think we’re doing a salt firing though.
Thanks Linda, I’m still playing with the header, fonts, and the little graphic dealies on my blog right now, but think I’ve found a template I like for now.
I read that post, Noelle – I thought I commented, but maybe I didn’t. I started looking through the book and it looks like it has some really good information along with some gorgeous photographs. The guild has the book you mentioned and I really debated which one to borrow. I may switch at a later point.
I didn’t watch it either, Melody, but I’m going to look for it online today. Ya, I’m with you there on mellow – think James Taylor or something.
Mary T.
August 26, 2008 at 6:27 am //
Have a blast. Not in the explosion sense but in the learning sense. Rock on, Cynthia.
Jean Levert Hood
August 26, 2008 at 8:00 am //
I’ve been thinking out you being in the midst of Denver and the DNC! By all TV accounts, security is at a level not seen before! I imagine the traffic will be a nightmare with all of the closures. I visited Denver about 10 years ago, stayed in a hotel downtown and loved it. So much to see and do, great museums. A hooky day with your daugher sounds great, and probably will be pretty educational too!!
Haven’t commented on your last few blogs, but always love reading them!
Janet
August 26, 2008 at 4:48 pm //
The banner is looking good.