glazenerd

Took the week off from clay and went tuna fishing

Another 100° day. Firings kilns in the basement. Window unit A/C working hard. Trying to remind myself that this is better than shoveling 2 ft of snow.

fired my new raku kiln today for Obvara. whew, took it slow to 1650 and then started pulling the pieces. I usually have help for the lid on and off. Fired 13 pieces tumble stacked. I am beat. Dripping in this heat. drinking lots of water.

fired my new raku kiln today for Obvara. whew, took it slow to 1650 and then started pulling the pieces. I usually have help for the lid on and off. Fired 13 pieces tumble stacked. I am beat. Dripping in this heat. drinking lots of water.

Glaze firing on - mostly transparent over oxides and tissue transfers with my v reliable glossy glaze. On the shelf is a batch of stoneware pieces from a throwing workshop I attended - after 2 failed stoneware glaze firings I'm very reluctant to get on with these. Have tweaked the glaze and will do just one test piece before sacrificingthe rest to the kiln gods

glazing espresso cups today and then preparing raku slabs for glazing. Glazing is one of my least favorite things to do.

glazing espresso cups today and then preparing raku slabs for glazing. Glazing is one of my least favorite things to do.

You know you are getting old when you open the test kiln only to realize you never glazed anything!. hangs head in shame...

You know you are getting old when you open the test kiln only to realize you never glazed anything!. hangs head in shame...

Took out a turquoise glaze firing yesterday. Hangs head in shame. streaky, pinholes and white areas . They were on order too

You know you are getting old when you open the test kiln only to realize you never glazed anything!. hangs head in shame...

You know you are getting old when you open the test kiln only to realize you never glazed anything!. hangs head in shame...

Replacing elements this week, along with some element holders and bricks, One of the pigtails is also being replaced after a failed bisque. Hmmm one blow up also. First one in many years, humidity!

my big oval is really well insulated. Took over 30 hours for the bisque to cool. but the fan was running and it comes on at 120 F.

Waiting for leather hard so I can trim stuff...

Headed to the CA State Fair today. It's an annual trek to see how my wife does in the Jam & Jelly Competition.

Headed to the CA State Fair today. It's an annual trek to see how my wife does in the Jam & Jelly Competition.

Almost done hanging drywall on my studio ceiling. 8 sheet done 4 to go. And singing, "all by myself". Yup, I'll be happy to wedge a ton of clay after this.

Off to salt kiln rebuild.

Rolling out grid test. Made about 15 of them. Red clay, Black Clay, Porcelain, Brown Clay. Yum.

No one wants to buy a lottery ticket to have the privilege of cleaning out the cly trap in my studio sink...people just don't understand how much fun that is (spoken in my best Tom Sawyer voice) *snicker*

Harvested a bunch of veggies and will set up my vegetable stand today...

Just posted an album in Gallery -- LeeU June 2016 -- It has some pieces from my recent firing.

leaving tomorrow at 5 am to check out a potential retirement home in Montana for my husband and me. Studio space, kiln space and mountains! My friends have me covered for p/u at airport, drive to town, stay with friends. I love Montana!

I recieved several private messages today from people still experiencing problems getting into the forum. Anyone have an update I can send them?