Kari Posted June 17, 2016 Report Share Posted June 17, 2016 Hello! After hours of research online, and racking my brain trying to remember everything I learned in the ceramics class I took 5 years ago, I've found myself here hoping to get some direction! I would like to purchase materials to be able to create 10" by 10" plaques that have a handprint/footprint impression to hang on a wall. After my research, this is what I have come up with.. (Please tell me if something is wrong in my process, or if I am not considering something) 1. Roll out low fire clay to 1/2 inch thick, and make hand/foot impression clay I will use: https://www.amazon.com/Amaco-45015Y-Earthenware-Modeling-Multi-Purpose/dp/B000KI7QAY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1466142915&sr=8-2&keywords=low+fire+clay 2. Cut to 10" by 10" shape and allow to dry completely 3. Stack 3-4 pieces in kiln and do bisque firing to Cone 04 kiln i will use: http://www.bigceramicstore.com/cress-bt511kt-kiln-1353.html 4. Apply glaze to pieces glaze I will use: https://www.amazon.com/Sax-True-Flow-Gloss-Glaze/dp/B003V1BOUK/ref=pd_sim_328_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=51dma4Ztu1L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR248%2C320_&psc=1&refRID=KV9J72DKNVWSPYAEJ283 5. Stack 3-4 pieces in kiln and do glaze firing to Cone 06 Does this sound right?? Am I buying the right kind of kiln? Other questions I have: - Because this kiln is so small, can I just move it outside to fire instead of firing inside with a ventilating system? - How do I know how long to fire for both bisque and glaze firings? I really appreciate any help I can get! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted June 17, 2016 Report Share Posted June 17, 2016 where do you live? That is expensive clay you are using. If you can find a distributor near you, you may get a better selection of clay and some advice to go with it. I think the all-purpose clay may not really be good hand building clay, but that is just my opinion. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Sweet Posted June 17, 2016 Report Share Posted June 17, 2016 Another comment, if you are referring to stacking the glazed ware on top of each other, don't! Use shelves between them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted June 17, 2016 Report Share Posted June 17, 2016 Are you wanting to work with clay after this project? I would fire each tile individually, the depth it is to tight to get 2 tiles in it. You need to get some kiln wash for your shelf in case of a glaze accident. I know there are private and commercial stores that will do firing, the ceramic supplier in my area does a lot of it. You need to get a book on ceramics, handbuilding and firing, you will have more questions that can be answered on a forum. I have been working with clay for 40 years and will still grab a reference book now and then. Denice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayjay Posted June 17, 2016 Report Share Posted June 17, 2016 You'll not get a 10" square tile into an 11" hexagonal kiln - the 11" will be measured at the widest point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted June 17, 2016 Report Share Posted June 17, 2016 Even for bisque I do not recommend stacking 3 or 4 half inch thick tiles on top of each other. You're essentially creating a piece that's 2" thick, which could crack or blow up. Use shelves or put some spacers between them. Ayjay is correct, you will not fit a 10" tile into that kiln. At best you'll get about a 6" tile. For 10" tiles you need an 18" wide kiln, which will have 15" shelves, and you lose another 2-3 inches for kiln posts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kari Posted June 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2016 where do you live? That is expensive clay you are using. If you can find a distributor near you, you may get a better selection of clay and some advice to go with it. I think the all-purpose clay may not really be good hand building clay, but that is just my opinion. Marcia Thanks for the tip, Marcia. I live in Portland, OR and there is a ceramics shop fairly close to my house. I'll go in and get some advice from them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kari Posted June 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2016 Another comment, if you are referring to stacking the glazed ware on top of each other, don't! Use shelves between them. Good to know, thanks Fred! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kari Posted June 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2016 Are you wanting to work with clay after this project? I would fire each tile individually, the depth it is to tight to get 2 tiles in it. You need to get some kiln wash for your shelf in case of a glaze accident. I know there are private and commercial stores that will do firing, the ceramic supplier in my area does a lot of it. You need to get a book on ceramics, handbuilding and firing, you will have more questions that can be answered on a forum. I have been working with clay for 40 years and will still grab a reference book now and then. Denice Thanks for the help Denice. Do you have a recommendation for a good reference book(s)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kari Posted June 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2016 You'll not get a 10" square tile into an 11" hexagonal kiln - the 11" will be measured at the widest point. Ayjay- thanks for the help! You saved me from buying the wrong kiln! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kari Posted June 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2016 Even for bisque I do not recommend stacking 3 or 4 half inch thick tiles on top of each other. You're essentially creating a piece that's 2" thick, which could crack or blow up. Use shelves or put some spacers between them. Ayjay is correct, you will not fit a 10" tile into that kiln. At best you'll get about a 6" tile. For 10" tiles you need an 18" wide kiln, which will have 15" shelves, and you lose another 2-3 inches for kiln posts. Thank you Neil! That's good to know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted June 19, 2016 Report Share Posted June 19, 2016 can you tell us why you are focusing on this particular work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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