I HATE Pottery…Sometimes
Okay, hate is a really harsh word, but that’s what I was screaming yesterday afternoon when I opened my kiln! I messed up – royally. I freaking over fired my kiln *again*. I say that in a whisper, because after I over fired one of my kilns about 2 years ago, I swore I’d never do it again. Same dang mistake too – something touching kiln sitter so it didn’t drop when it reached temp – cone 05. Instead, it turned off when the cone in the sitter was completely burned to a crisp. Who knows how hot the temperature reached inside my ancient Paragon kiln. I use this one to bisque fire work and while I think it’s rated to ^9 roughly 2300° F. So – did it fire to ^ 9? Quite possibly. What was in the kiln – mostly my student’s work from my after school clay class, but I also squeezed some of my work in there including Jean’s custom jewelry box. 
On first glance it doesn't look too bad…
After my discovery, I was banging around, cussing – I think every expletive known to humans escaped from my lips. Luckily, no tender ears were around to hear, save for those of my dogs. Then I got really mad – mad at myself, at the pottery gods, at clay and I actually said I HATE Clay out loud! 9&%$J K &*jy6% %HMK< – you get the picture. I don’t know of any other medium (save maybe glass or jewelry) that what you see isn’t what you always get. That stinks.
So then, after unloading work and salvaging what I could, I started to work on my shelves. Clay & glaze melt from the low fire earthenware my students made littered the bottom shelves. I had my hammer and chisel out banging away at my shelves all the while glancing at the custom box, ready to take the hammer to it as well. But, something stopped me and I went over to look at it again. I mean really look at it – turn it over, inspecting for major issues, besides being a fully vitrified clay object with bubbles.
Can you see the bubbled slip?
The biggest issue is that the slip bubbled on the side that was next to the elements and not really any place else. I’m sorry I didn’t take a photo of the before – but by the time I started taking photos of the piece, I had already taken a grinder to the box and popped most of the bubbles out of curiosity.
I sort of like how the sanded bubbles give the piece another dimension
Then I started asking the clay gods what I was supposed to learn out of this situation…. I’m not sure s/he answered me or not, but I really got to work sanding even more – exposing all the bubbles. I have decided to play around with this piece some more. I’m not sure exactly what’s going to happen or how it will turn out, but I wouldn’t do this intentionally, so who knows? I’ve already sent an email to Jean with my profuse apologies – she’s so nice and still wants a covered box from me – albeit not for her sister’s birthday. My experiment might turn out to be total crap – but I don’t have anything else to lose except time, do I? So, this is back in the kiln this morning with some paper clay repairs – along with a few other pieces from the archives that had “issues” during firing.
These 3 little boxes were also in the doomed kiln.
I’m pretty sure that I can’t glaze these boxes anymore – and they are pretty nice in their nakedness. I could probably play around with some cold surface decoration techniques for these boxes since they’re not intended for food. Both the ^6 porcelain and white stoneware I use fared okay at a higher temperature, unlike the low fire red earthenware clay.
low fire red earthenware house
Ever want to know what low fire red earthenware clay looks like at ^7-9+ ? It’s a nice toasty chocolate brown color and it’s sort of self glazing with a nice sheen on the surface. But, the lid is now attached to the base – and the clay deformed/melted ever so slightly during firing. These will be perfect for the garden or an aquarium setting.
Big sigh…. Note to self – pay better attention when loading the kiln.
~Cynthia
Meredith
February 24, 2009 at 12:29 pm //
OUCH! Been there done that! Had the same jumping up and down and looking for someone other then me to blame- but I do know you can still get a glaze on the boxes- or throw them in a salt kiln or wood- if it can take the heat again.
You can also put a low fired glaze on them since it has been fired high all you wnat to do is melt the glaze.
It helps to heat the piece fist and then glaze it and leave it alone. It takes forever for the glaze to dry. Remember it is not soaking in but sitting on top of the pot. Then just fire.
I have had some pots come out pretty well like this.
Or- you learned something – make another one and move on.
Although I do like the white coming through the blue looks interesting- maybe a wash and then glaze?
Love it hate it- you still have to do it!
M
Cynthia
February 25, 2009 at 6:34 am //
Thanks for the response Meredith – It’s good to know that I’m not alone in my absentmindedness! I do have access to a salt kiln, but don’t know when the next firing will be – I should take a look at the guild’s schedule. I have reheated pieces in a microwave and re-glazed with success – I had planned on trying a ^6 clear – but it sounds like I should use a low fire clear. I have a recipe that I’ve been meaning to try out…. I was also thinking a wash of something too – First I have to see if my repairs worked.
Kyle Kunnecke
February 24, 2009 at 2:28 pm //
we had a student in class use low fire clay (and they weren’t supposed to!) and probably didn’t know any better – but they had most likely found the clay in their locker and just used it… anyway, at ^9 it melted and stuck 6-10 other pieces to a kiln shelf… including a cup that a bride made for her maid of honor… (the other 5 cups survived fine because they were on another shelf)
Anyway, I think the low fire clay in a high fire kiln gone wild survived pretty well considering… I love and hate the unpreditability of ceramics – but I feel better when I think how long some projects take… like the OCO sattelite that NASA spent 8 years making and the rocket didn’t release so it crashed into the water near antartica…. 8 years of work. sheesh!
Cynthia
February 25, 2009 at 6:37 am //
You really put my situation into perspective for me with the whole NASA comparison, Kyle! There are worse things in life for sure. I was surprised that the low fire clay did what it did instead of totally melting down.
ang
February 24, 2009 at 4:40 pm //
weheyyy.. it’s now a slumpy hut….. seen some just like it in a doco….i find expletives usually help at this point…. sanding the bubbles brilliant, you prob could still do a brush on low fire glaze if you were so inclined but the high fired ‘raw’ surface is sooo nice… thanks for sharing anyway..cheers ang
Cynthia
February 25, 2009 at 6:39 am //
The kids were a bit disappointed in their slumpy huts! I made them all take them to the community garden during class so I could take a photo of their “village”. At first most said they were not going to take their huts home, but in the end, most did. I suggested using them in an aquarium or in the garden and that gave everyone a new perspective.
Ben Stark
February 24, 2009 at 6:54 pm //
AHH! That sucks so bad! I actually really like the sanded bubble look, but I know that’s not at all what you were going for. Expletives definitely help–and throwing clay at the floor, and maybe a wall
Cynthia
February 25, 2009 at 6:40 am //
Yeah it did suck – but what to do? I probably would have thrown clay if I didn’t have to clean it up.
Chiseling the shelves did help – luckily I had the piece of mind to put safety goggles on so that I really didn’t have something to cry about.
Jacqueline Thompson
February 24, 2009 at 6:58 pm //
wowwwww cynthia, i don’t have my own kiln yet so i can’t relate to over firing my own stuff and i can’t relate to the “i hate clay” idea….i do think the bubble design on the box is interesting, but i know that was not your intent, so it’s hard to deal with…. i think it’s strange that the earthenware clay did not melt into a complete blob of clay on your shelf…..
Cynthia
February 25, 2009 at 6:42 am //
I do have a love/hate relationship with clay – but I keep coming back. I’m subbing this morning, but hope that when I come home around noon that I find a repaired box and can try something else with it.
christy
February 24, 2009 at 7:05 pm //
bummer! so sorry about the firing. when kiln disasters strike, i end up envying friends who paint. wouldn’t it be nice every once in a while to get just what you see, what you imagine? firings are the blessing and the curse…
christy
Cynthia
February 25, 2009 at 6:43 am //
Yes – yes!! Sometimes I think I should switch mediums – and I have from time to time for an extended period of time, but then I go back to clay.
Sarah Regan Snavely
February 24, 2009 at 8:31 pm //
Oooooh! I have done this and your description brings back the pain/angst/anguish perfectly. So sorry.
Cynthia
February 25, 2009 at 6:44 am //
I’m feeling much better this morning about the whole thing after 2 days time – it’s one of those learning experiences.
Linda Starr
February 24, 2009 at 9:12 pm //
Cynthia, don’t give up yet, what about lusters – gold, silver, copper, etc. – can you not apply some lusters to the butterfly and the sanded bubbles and refire at a very low temp – worth a try isn’t it, I could just see that on the jewelry box and also on the other boxes too – even some lower fire glazes on the kids stuff and re-fire. You are so creative I think you can make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear
Cynthia
February 25, 2009 at 6:46 am //
I’ve never used lusters, Linda – the kids work is toast, at least the glazed pieces. They’re all taking it in stride. Plus we had a really good conversation about kiln firing, temperatures of clay and what happens when things go wrong. Visual examples are great and they really get it now! I am going to try some low fire glazes.
You’re too kind about that last comment!
cindy shake
February 24, 2009 at 9:47 pm //
I am so sorry. You could consider a texture to the exterior of the box… not what you had originally envisioned but may work. The structure of the box is still wonderful and you definitely have something to work with
) I’m sure you felt worse for the kids pieces. again sorry. oh, I used some great 3M sanding squares -course (bars) the other day that worked great on some dripped glaze.
Hey if it was easy and predictable, everyone would be an artist….right?!
Cynthia
February 25, 2009 at 6:48 am //
Oh – I’m going to look for the 3M sanding bars!
I felt bad all around – I’m making it up to the kids. They’re each getting a personalized cup from me….
Undaunted
February 25, 2009 at 12:53 am //
Oh no! I think I would have been too gutted to even swear – I think I would have had to go and sit in a field and cry!
I agree with you though – the bubbles on the box do look really pretty. And I actually really love the brown colour of that red clay!
Cynthia
February 25, 2009 at 6:49 am //
No crying – just down and out cussing like a sailor, Linda! I like the brown too – the kids were calling it “poop” – I said, how about chocolate? Much better visual for me.
Janet
February 25, 2009 at 6:07 am //
I actually love the sanded down bubble look.
Cynthia
February 25, 2009 at 6:50 am //
I like the bubbles too and was trying to figure out how I could recreate that in the future! put wax dabs or something under the slip – not sure. I might have to play around with the idea.
carter gillies
February 25, 2009 at 8:12 am //
Sorry to hear about the overfiring…. Sounds like you have some good ideas for how to salvage some of it. Is your kiln reliable however? I had this same problem consistently at one point. My kiln is a 1983 model L&L, and as it turns out the rod for the cone sitter was corroded. It seemed straight at room temp, but it would warp horribly when heated. So until I made this discovery all my attempts to calibrate it were useless. In the end I decided to replace the whole cone firing set up with a pyrometer ($129) and 4 thermocouples (@$15ea) with a switch to check between each of the four zones. Of course this means I have to baby sit the last stages of the firing, but I am also down firing/slow cooling my glazes now since I have that much control. I have seen too many overfirings to automatically trust a sitter anymore. Good luck, and thanks for the great blog!
W. J. St. Christopher
February 25, 2009 at 8:18 am //
So sorry for your kiln trauma, Cynthia. That ‘what you see isn’t what you get’ is exactly why I’ve stopped doing my own printing. One headache too many!
Let me know if you can’t find any use for your star-topped boxes — before you get all cussy/destructive again.
I think they’re fab!
AnneW
February 25, 2009 at 3:29 pm //
Doh! Bummer about the overfire, Cynthia. Inevitably these sorts of things happen when you’re firing a custom order with a deadline or firing someone else’s work, eh? Duh. Murphy’s law, you know
Pottery can sure be frustrating at times, not to mention humbling.
I used to use a controller but have a kiln with a setter now. I know intimately (sigh) how you can’t always rely on equipment to work properly and I try to always be there around the time when I *think* the kiln’s supposed to turn off. If I think the kiln has been firing too long, the color looks too bright, or I’m having a not-trusting-my-cones *moment*, I grab my pyrometer from the gas kiln and stick the thermocouple in the ekiln spyhole. Its saved a few firings.
Also, especially when I’m exhausted or up late firing, I set an alarm to make sure I am up to check the kiln at the right time. Its so easy to get distracted or doze off..
You know the next jewelry box you make will probably be even nicer.
Cheers!
Mary T.
February 25, 2009 at 6:25 pm //
When I first read this I was smiling all the way through. Isn’t it amazing that with all of our art work, no matter the medium, we are seldom satisfied and then there are those ‘really dumb’ mistakes we make! I was sighing as I went thinking, “Oh Cynthia, I’m so sorry!” And then when I was out having a fun lunch and art gathering with a friend I hadn’t seen in a long time, she wore a necklace I’d made her and given her a year or so ago. Wow! Did it look magnificent! yeah, you blew it on this one, but you’ve produced so much of great stuff in the last year! I’m still betting you’ve learned a lot . . . again.
Jurol
February 26, 2009 at 10:30 pm //
I think that is why i ended up getting a paid job at a pottery as I had 1 to many disasters so I work in clay and bronze sculptures. Thinking of you ,keep going.Judy
Melody Madden
February 27, 2009 at 10:49 am //
I absolutely adore your small boxes…..they are exquisite
Red Flashlight
March 2, 2009 at 8:55 pm //
These unlucky days will end soon!
Chae
March 6, 2009 at 12:40 pm //
Cynthia
That’s happened to me before too! Usually, on pieces that i most desperately wanted to come out!
However. It can be rescued. Just as you have done. Sand the dickens out of it (removing the bubbles) reglaze and refire.
Hugs
Chae