glazenerd
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Posts posted by glazenerd
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Like Min; moving is in my near future- next year or so. Will have to decide which kilns to keep, which to sell; along with other equipment. I built a 26x44 work studio over a decade ago that is stuffed with equipment and supplies; most of which will not go with me into my golden years. Truthfully, I wrestle with just walking away all together. Would not miss the glaze so much as I would miss the clay-chemistry.
Tom
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Harvesting and processing wild clay is an emerging trend; more popular than most realize. Many are processing their own silica, fluxes, etc from wild sources. Natural basalt is gaining popularity for some amazing reds. The best looking celadon I have seen is processed from natural materials. Certainly not profitable or suitable for production: although some are heading that direction. Hunting wild clay is somewhere in the panning for gold category: hoping to find the perfect pit. Firing crystalline; absolute No for me- cannot give up modern kiln controllers.
Tom
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Min: the first mention of slow cooling I seen was in an ACERS journal by Edward Orton, Jr. (The cone guy) in 1908. The mid 1970's is when I have noticed changes in modern pottery. However, I also noticed detrimental effects of technology in the last two decades. Modern kilns, glazes, and premix clays makes pottery easily accessible to any and all: which is a good thing. However, the ease of operation does not require the user to acquire any basic working principles of functional or food safety guidelines. We have all seen the end products on EBay and art fairs.
That said: technology has opened doors on previously extremely challenging techniques and glazes. I spent all of one month attempting to fire crystalline glaze in an old kiln with a sitter before I quickly realized I was not spending 8 hours babysitting it. Kiln controllers rank high on technological improvement list. Anyone who had or played on a kick wheel: would say the same about an electric wheel. I have been playing around with self glazing clay bodies----one of these days....
T
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Min: the difference between us doing a triaxle and them doing a triaxle: they have PhD behind their names. Which comes back to the thread's premise: they have lab equipment of measure: we do not.
Bill- late 60's into the 70's.
A standard cone 6 porcelain is 30% KnaO, and cone 10 is 25% KnaO. Heat work being the offsetting factor.
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7 hours ago, Bill Kielb said:
I never could find out why 6, not five, or four or seven? And energy, only anecdotally. Cones are a great one but credit Hermann Seger. I like all those examples though, hidden game changers right in plain sight.
U of I study found that KnaO was completely melted/spent at 2190F. Above 2230F =/- cristobalite begins to form. In a clay body 3/8-1/2" wall: potassium begins to melt (fluid) at 2044F and sodium 2012F. The combination of these factors is the basis of cone 6 firing target. Ougland & Brindley (British Ceramic Society) found glass content at cone 6 was 61% and glass content at cone 10 was 66%. Mullite at cone 6 was 19% and mullite at cone 10 was 21% Their study was based on a triaxle blend of 1/3 kaolin, 1/3 KnaO, and 1/3 silica. (porcelain). So now you have the why!
- Hulk, liambesaw and Bill Kielb
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Bill: cone 6 rose up in the early 80's because of power shortages/costs. Ceramics/pottery uses extensive technology; but we only end up seeing the consumer product results. Mines use slurry technology, magnetic separators, and power sievesthat do tons per hour. Orton cones are based in technology (chemistry). The pentameter Laguna uses ensures clay remains reasonably consistent. K26 brick, magnesium insulation, advancer shelves, controllers, relays, and thermocouples.
T
- Bill Kielb and LeeU
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R2 porcelain specifically blended for crystalline work.
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TY Min. A couple of Doctors in the States have said they do not work. However, States, Counties, and hospitals have been asking the public to bring these masks in if they have them. To my knowledge, the mask worn in hospitals are N95, unless they are using the full level 4 bio suits. Certainly some mixed messages State side.
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Like Roberta: my wife and I live on acreage- surrounded by more timber and farmland. Very thankful we do not live in a dense urban area. I retired from home building almost 2 years ago, I still do high end finish work for high end contractor friends. I work alone mostly, rarely deal with people face to face: and have work for several more months. I am fully aware of my fortunate situation: so my concerns are for others who will be hurt by the uncertainty of these times. My mother is 87; my brother has her for a month, then my sister for a month: then me. She will stay with one of us until this storm passes. On the bright side: many potters have masks or respirators if those needs arise.
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I started out of the gate making and firing crystalline glaze: which also meant making my own glaze. From there it naturally evolved into making my own glazes; including my own versions of temmoku and others. The first ton of clay I purchased, then started making my own- later buying a pugmill. Currently, I use R2 porcelain that I specifically developed to promote crystalline growth. I make my own suspender and brushing medium: that Britt named glaze jelly. Made my own tile setters, and other kiln furniture. I prefer to explore and learn.
T
- Pres, blackthorn and liambesaw
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Marcia:
Speaking of crystalline glaze- I read a thesis paper on crystalline glaze written by a student at SIU-C in 1973. As a historical perspective: 1973 was 25 years before any formal books on crystalline glaze was published ( Macro Crystalline Glaze by Peter Isley) I have read it several times: the insights and theorem are well within the boundaries of modern crystalline chemistry. The author of this thesis paper was YOU.
T
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A recent thread on culture made me think about periods of art history. Being an arm chair historian, I often go through the history of potters before us: Adelaide Robineau's Scarab Vase comes to mind. Historians put art (including pottery) into periods: Medievel, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neo-Classical for instance. (Google "periods in art history"- you will find them) Each period in recent history lasted 100-200 years: the current period began in 1800. So if periods last 200 years, that would mean beginning in 2000, a new period should have begun.....but it has not!
Qotw : what name would you ascribe to the current period of art history that began in 2000?
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Controlling the rate of drying has been on my agenda for a few years now. Couple of years back I was mixing a wetting agent into porcelain in an attempt to control it: those who got samples know how badly that flopped.
so I have been working on a spritz made mostly of organic/food safe materials. To date, I have extended drying time by roughly 30%. When I get up to 50% or so, I will unveil it. However, I have no laboratory rats to test toxicity on, so PM me if you want to volunteer to drink a cup or two. ( that was Westerner joke by the way).
T
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Been following this topic, but I know just enough about Japenese/Chinese/Korean culture to say something wrong. One of the many times I wish Baymore was around: these cultures were his speciality. Being a Westerner, I will add a twist to it.
Modern technology has managed to put most of the worlds population onto a single stage/platform. The assimilation of culture that once took centuries, now only requires a mouse click. Marco Polo bought back porcelain pieces from China: and Europe spent 500 years trying to replicate them. Any potter can click Sung/Ming dynasty and start throwing in an attempt to duplicate it. The unfortunate side effect of instant knowledge, is the loss of culture and application.
The old saying goes "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." Should the blog writer be offended or flattered that others are trying to imitate her culture? Obviously some have hijacked strictly for ill advised sales promotions. Yet others love the work, love the culture, and are sincerely trying to imitate it. Personally I think she should educate rather than reprove. It is a futile effort to chastise those who have no respect to begin with.
thats my 5 cents worth. The extra 3 cents if for shipping and handling.
Tom
- LeeU and Bill Kielb
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Lee: let me give you an example of being me.
YOU form your favorite stoneware clay and notice how pliable it is, how it takes texture, how fast it dries, and how plastic it is.
i form the same clay and: 80/10/10, with 8.2CEC, potassium body flux, with 30% plastic materials.
You have much more fun than I do
But TY.
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Liam:
i agree, Mark has an inspiring success story in the pottery biz. After 45 years in carpentry, I am aware of the time, energy, and sacrifices he made to build it. Pottery is unique; full time, part time, weekenders, full time hobby, to monthly dabble. My only intention starting out was to "play" with crystalline glaze, until I accidentally fell down this very deep rabbit hole. Rabbit holes are also unique, but also common in pottery. To answer the QotW: I do not want to make any pottery plans: because it is the only area of my life that is not. I find the unplanned happy accidents of discovery a relief from a lifetime of calculations.
T
- LeeU, Hulk and Magnolia Mud Research
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23 hours ago, liambesaw said:
There will be plenty of time to retire when you're dead.
I spent the last 45 years telling myself that, not sure I agree these days.
like most here, my life was the typical series of following schedules to earn a living. Planning, plotting, and projecting the path ahead. I find myself curious about not going to bed in order to get up at regulated time. I am curious to know what it is like not to meet deadlines, keep appointments, and plan for months ahead. Not sure I even know what "living for the day" means. I have held many titles over the last 45 years, most of which have little meaning: I find "couch tater" appealing lately.
T
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Mark:
I only use crystalline on walls: way too soft for floor use. My porcelain body has zero absorption. The bad news is, I rarely get to see any installs; they have their own people for that. For the floor I use a boro-silicate glaze. The decorator sends me a color palette, and I send back samples in that range. If they want a custom pattern (most are), then I charge 300-500 for design layout, and die making. I usually sell 2-3 jobs a year: not really pushed sales -- yet!! I have one coming up for bid this spring: 220SF of 12" round floor tile, with deco inserts- will take a week to make the clay, die, and fire.
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I throw forms to practice and to test crystalline: the bowls mostly go to family members- 0 profit margin. The shows and shops around here are stuffed with $10 mugs, no need to even attempt competing.
i still make geometric tile: I rarely sell jobs; but when I do $$$$$. It works for me at the moment. I am currently working on a geometric pattern consisting of 12, 8, and 4" interlocking circles. The added bonus of having a professional CAD system, with a 24 x 36 printer- I can create precise cut sheets. One of my favorite patterns - makes for a beautiful shower.
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I started with crystalline glaze, and still firing crystalline glaze. I experiment with other glazes from time to time; but mostly to see their reaction to a specific clay body. Now I have been working on a series of "reactive" porcelains, to see how they react to reduction, wood, salt, and raku firings. Thanks to my fellow potters who have helped me in that research.
Tom
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But TY.
QotW: What do you think 2021 may bring to your potting life?
in Int'l Ceramic Artists Network (ICAN) Operations and Benefits
Posted
Mark:
One of the drawbacks of any trade: downsizing when the time comes. Took off before Thanksgiving, and not going back until Jan1-12. Never took that much time off in 45 years. I like it!