aperhapshand

There is an online class I have been thinking about taking myself but haven't yet. https://www.ceramicmaterialsworkshop.com/about-glaze-calculation-online.html

Ahh!! I totally understand - pints do add up. I think Amaco Potter's choice would be your best resource to search - there is a facebook group that shares glazes on different clay bodies and on Amaco's website they show the glazes on different clay bodies (scroll down to see the charts ) https://www.facebook.com/groups/potterschoiceex/ https://www.amaco.com/t/glazes-and-underglazes/high-fire/potters-choice

Why are test tiles pricey? In my experience with commercial glazes, they seldom react like the pictures on the internet show - Red or white clay. There are so many variables that testing is important to me. That said I often "gamble" on smaller pieces like small sculptural work or the outside of a shot glass to get the feel for a glaze. If I have a large piece that I am especially proud of the form I will not risk it; time for a tried and true glaze or for it to sit on a shelf while I work it out. I can't take the heartbreak. I also find that the wasted kiln space for a large dud is crushing - but I have a pretty small kiln.

I, unfortunately, was unable to get images. I have passed along your comments. I really appreciate the help! Thank you!!!!

Thank you, Neil. He said he was going to remove the whole bottom and put plywood underneath - pour the "cement" (as he kept calling it, but explained that it was a castable material for kiln repair) - - I would assume that after the "cement" is set the plywood would be removed and the kiln would be placed on a regular metal kiln stand. I will see if I can take some pictures tomorrow when I am in the space.

HI All, I am currently helping with a just starting out Art Gallery and Community art center. I have worked in community studios for quite a few years and have helped a similar style studio start their ceramics room/department. My concern is that The Owners were gifted a kiln that is a VERY OLD manual electric Duncan - I heard somewhere that the year is in the serial number; if true the kiln is from 1964 . The kiln is in pretty bad shape. The electrical and the heating elements don't look too bad, but the floor and the lid are in really bad shape. The floor is crumbling, the edges of on the outside are rusted, the brick/board on the lid is cracked, and it just looks rough. I have told the owner, his wife, the Gallery Director; anyone, that will listen, that I am not comfortable firing it with how rough this kiln looks to be. The Owner had his friend, who seems to know a great deal about kilns, to look at it. The friend is suggesting repairing it by pouring, a concrete-like, floor and just tightening the lid. He said he could rerun the heating elements as well. This is beyond my knowledge, and if it was my center I would just buy a new kiln. They have invested a great deal of money into the space. I have offered a huge amount of free knowledge and experience to help get this up and running but am not financially contributing. The Owner doesn't seem to be interested in investing in a new kiln. My gut is telling me not to fire the kiln. . . but I am a very cautious person naturally . . . Am I worried about nothing? How old and how damaged is too damaged? Thank you for any help or insight you have.

I came to pottery from a painting background so I was more comfortable showing work in a gallery setting. I am starting to push myself to make more work and show more places. This post was a great reminder to me to keep pushing. Thank you!

Mark, if you are selling prints I would buy a print of DSC_9453! Great shots! My hubs (the astrophysics nerd) and I went to Carbondale IL for the eclipse and it was about 2 min of totality but the clouds covered it for about 1.5 min. Luckily we were able to see the start and the end. It was an amazing experience - but next time we might pick somewhere a bit less crowded.

You can see my apron in my avatar photo - just a simple split front apron I made out of some free denim. I actually made myself 2 of them - one for dark clay one for light clay. The apron works pretty well - it is thick enough that I can wipe my hands - I hose it down once and a while before throwing it in the wash. But It isn't the best design - I slapped it together and I still get clay on my clothes when I throw . . . I needed to add a "bib" part to it and the apron panels should be wider. I have recently have been researching some simple overall patterns that I can make oversize to put on over my clothes. . . I have to stop staining my shirts with the high iron clay. (that is not my studio - that was a community studio that I was just posing in)

I will be in Carbondale Illinois for the eclipse - I am hoping you are at the museum there! I will totally be buying cute one day only baubles -- my hubs is an astrophysics nerd. I think the suggestion for making eclipse themed items without a date is a good idea. Also, I wouldn't make too many - Limited Edition.

Thank you Min - The flexible plastic sounds like a great idea.

For these homemade bats - do you drill out for the bat pins? I just bought a bunch of Plaster to make a new reclaim area and think I might try this.