Roberta12

Great idea Mark, about being tested after the show and the separation table. I have been rethinking my booth set up. I have a show the 7th of November, 10x10 space. I will have room to reconfigure my setup. It is in a large space, high ceilings, but not many will be masked. Just me probably. Trying to find a booster before then.

I would do that also. At least ask. In fact, that is what I did. I bought my own glazes because I wanted more than 4 shades of brown. I can't remember if you signed up for a period of time or how it is structured, but as @oldlady said, there are so many ways to learn. Don't give up and find a role model closer to your aesthetic.

Thanks Kelly. That was what I was looking for. My supply house will sell clay by the bag, so I am hoping to just try a couple of the clays. Thank you

My supplier has recently began carrying Kentucky Mudworks Clay. Does anyone have experience with that clay? If so, which clay bodies? I am curious about the Iceman and White Bear. I am always on the lookout for a white stoneware that is not too groggy. I may have a chance to actually, in person, go to the supply house this weekend!!! Thanks, Roberta

That is how that person throws. thick foot, thin walls. And yes, you are absolutely right, so glad we only did 4 that way!!!

We glazed almost 300 bowls, made the same way, bisqued to 04, with the same clay, with a variety of glazes. They were the only 4 that did that. The only 4 glazed that particular way. I heard the noise of them popping and I turned to see them break before my eyes. It was an amazing thing!

As we were on the last batch of glazing for Empty Bowls, I suggested that we use a glaze that I had, Bone, from MC6. And my friend said Oh and what about that lovely brown paired with it. The Temmoku from John Britt's book, Selsor Temmoku. Both of them are really great glazes and I had never thought of pairing them. So we did. I did not throw the bowls, my friend had, but I knew the clay was Laguna Dover. Imagine my surprise when all 4 of the bowls we had glazed that way just spontaneously cracked and broke right before my eyes. They were cool when it happened, not sitting in a breeze. I think it is because there was a great deal of tension between the 2 glazes. But I would love to have everyone's thoughts on this. We also paired the Temmoku with Ravenscrag white. It was simply a lovely combo! No breaking. Roberta

I mostly use the programmed schedules that came with the L&L but I did come up with my own schedule for slumping bottles when I first got my kiln. That took a lot of trial and error. A lot. The program that came with the kiln simply did not work to achieve a great product. I never intended to slump bottles but the material was free, and I sold a lot of bottles for a few years while the fad was strong. Now I just do one or two loads a year as a request from customers. Also I was able to program a schedule for roasting Alberta slip and Ravenscrag. #4 on the Vary fire! But mostly I use the hold or not or preheat or not to get what I need. Roberta

I wonder if it's a difference between west coast factory and east coast. So far, I haven't noticed anything out of place with Laguna. When I called the clay supply shop in Denver last week I asked about supply issues and they said they haven't run into problems at this point. They would be getting all their clay from City of Industry in California. Hmmm interesting.

I had a potential customer cut her finger on a piece of glass that cracked and shivered off the interior of a bowl. That was the last time I messed with glass and ceramics. Roberta

I get my clay from Laguna via Denver and so far have not had a problem with supply. However I am calling in the morning to get clay for the Empty Bowl throwers. I will ask some questions. Yes,, I heard about the ships on both coasts with endless containers waiting to be unloaded. Interesting times we have here.

@KilnCat like with most things in the clay/glaze/firing world, you have to find what works for you. I have shifted my habits a great deal since I set up my own studio 9 years ago. I started with spraying most of my glazes and now I dip most things. I know that I need to have long spaces to spread out, and I like to cover my tables with newspaper or newsprint in order to minimize my mess. A lot depends on your space, and how you are glazing. (my space is long and narrow) A friend of mine comes out to glaze her pots occasionally and I set up a table and she has all her pints of glaze and brushes and it works fine for her. She sits in one place and brushes on her glazes. I stand and walk between the buckets of glaze and where I am placing the pots. I use cookies (that have kiln wash on them) but many people kiln wash their shelves. Everyone has a preference. My favorite sites to purchase supplies are the ones that offer free shipping or that I know are reliable as far as shipping. There are many out there. Euclids, Ceramic Shop, Bailey's, Sheffields, and on and on. If I order from Sheffields I know that it will take 2 weeks. If my friend in Honolulu orders from Sheffields, she gets her supplies in a week. Amazon has some supplies as well. If you are close to a local shop, that is usually the best. You can ask questions and see in person samples. Sometimes I find that my test pieces are pots that I wanted to explore the glaze combos or surface design or textures. Every so often I mess up a handle on a mug or trim through a pot, those things become testers. And I was told years ago, there are no precious pots. I took that to heart and even with failures, I get new information. Starting with brushing on your glazes will help you make decisions on your color palette, the shape of pots that you like, without investing money in dry ingredients and buckets and storage containers and and.... So glad you found us!!! Roberta

My only experience with black clay was years ago in a community studio. We were all so excited to see the results. It bubbled and bloated badly. Until we fired at cone 5. Then it behaved nicely. I do wonder if you could fire to a lower temp? Roberta

I bought a few bottles of Stroke and Coat to use on earrings. I tested on 2 clay bodies, and at 04 and 6. I have been pleased with the results. If I understand from reading the description, it is Stroke and Coat?? Roberta

yes, more testing will happen. It was such an easy project. I used paper stencils on bone dry clay. I have done that many times, but I usually thin my ug a bit. And this surface issue didn't happen until glaze firing. After bisque it was smooth. I also discovered in that load that the 7 cone was down! I haven't put cone packs in for awhile because I was out. I will start doing that with more frequency.