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Poppies In London


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Wife and I were in London on Armistice Day several years ago visiting Westminster Cathedral.  All around the grounds were small areas recognizing each unit of their Armed Services that had fought in WWI.  Among the decorations were thousands of paper poppies and every one was wearing one.   It was quite a moving experience. 

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I watched the video but never saw any pics of them glazing ... just forming and firing.

Do you think the clay is red?? They look shiny and glazed close up.

I guess only potters want this much more info> :rolleyes:

From looking at the pictures, I would guess the poppies are painted red. The tumble bisque firing is a chore; imagine the work of a second glaze firing where each would have to be on stilts to allow all surfaces to be glazed?

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That's an amazing feat in itself ... the bottoms look totally glazed with only one glaze firing ... looked like they each had two bar supports on the table while the glaze dried but those would leave marks in the firing. So interesting ... let alone the fact that they have a really great red glaze!

My notion is they must bisque fire higher than the glaze fire so they don't have to worry about slumping and the support can be merely to hold it up off the shelf.

UGH ... so curious ... I guess I could go volunteer to help :rolleyes:

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What do you all think of that amazing installation of ... CERAMIC ... hand made by humans ... Poppies around the Tower of London?

 

http://www.theverge.com/2014/8/4/5966507/800000-ceramic-poppies-turn-the-tower-of-londons-moat-red

 

Isn't it wonderful that potters making them are the center of attention.

 

Thanks Chris for posting this and reminding me to check it out.  My friend mentioned it yesterday, it was the first I'd heard of it.   (But I have been camping for most of the past month.)

 

I made a poppy shaped holder that contains all the paper poppies I've ever had.  Some are faded, mouldy, shrivelled, but every year I donate for a new one, wear it for a few weeks then add it to the collection.  I'm very tempted to buy one of these ceramic ones and put it in the collection..

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I'd be interested in buying one, though the cost to ship it to the States is nearly as much as the item itself.  Still, the money does towards a good cause.

 

I watched the second video, on the making of the poppies.  Allow me to say, "Now that's a kiln!"

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