SkitzoidLady

This is great information. This piece dried for 2 days under a bag, then another 5 days in our garage. We've had some warm weather, so I was sure it was dry enough. Maybe with thicker pieces, I need to go to 2 weeks total.Thanks to everyone who responded. One of our major issues is that we have an older kiln that we are trying to get used to. We have no programming like the newer kilns. What blows my mind is that we had other pieces in the kiln that were the same thickness as this piece that did fine. ~shrug~

Last night my daughter and I did a bisque firing in the kiln at cone 04. I've had some pieces shatter that last couple times we've bisque fired, and I have no clue why. Yesterday's firing went great except for a kitchen utensil crock. I was pretty proud of that piece because I just started playing with making vases and such from slab work. Every other piece came out great, except for that one. I made a matching spoon rest, so was pretty disappointed when the bottom shattered out of the utility crock. So here are my questions. 1. Can I try to attach green ware to the bottom of that piece and refire it? Is it even worth it? I'd hate to ditch it as I spent a lot of time on it, plus the cost of the clay factor. If fixing it is a pipe dream, I'll move on. 2. I am stumped as to why my pieces are shattering. It's not every piece. In fact, our kiln was filled to the gills yesterday, and that was the only piece that shattered. I've tried moving thicker pieces to the center of the kiln. I thought maybe it's the clay, but I'm using different clays. It doesn't matter if the kiln is super full or half empty. The pieces have been completely dried, and I always bag them and dry slowly. Anyone have an idea? Please recognize that I'm new to this stuff, so if my questions sound dumb, it's because I'm a greenhorn.

My daughter and I are doing both vendor markets and Etsy, and are extremely happy with the results. But, we do use several media outlets to tout our goods: website, blog, Facebook, and Instagram. Getting our name out there, references from friends, etc., seems to be key. Resting on your laurels never works. I've been considering some consignment, but it seems they want such a huge chunk of your profit. Great post. This gave me something to think about.

I think there is a fine line here, and that is what makes it so difficult. My daughter and I sell on Etsy and also at various markets. We've asked each other what to do with our wall of shame items. She has been in this a lot longer than I have, and has related to me how some of the potters at the college studio would toss stuff in the garbage if it wasn't perfect. I guess if you are taking a college course, and all the materials are basically free, you don't have an issue doing that. That isn't the case for my daughter and me. We pay for every ounce of clay and glaze in our studio, so if something doesn't come out just right we (A) try to salvage broken bisque, ( reglaze something that just looks horrid, and if all else fails, © ditch it. However, we've been talking about having a discount bin at our vendor tent for stuff that isn't exactly horrid, not 100%, but still sell-able. I have a beautiful berry colander I got from a discount table. The only issue was a very slight crack. It's one of my favorite pieces in my collection. Don't discount what you consider shame. Out of the ashes can arise a phoenix.

You are right around the block from me.... well... right down Park Blvd., LOL! My daughter has been in pottery for over ten years, spent four of them in college. When I paid for her college, I didn't realize this was what I was going to pay for, but the good news is that she is now teaching me! We have a studio set up in our garage. We call it the garagio. Nothing fancy, but we've got a wheel, and kiln and space. If you'd like to come buy some time, let me know. My stuff is rudimentary, but hey... I just started in November, 2015

I'm new to the community and ceramics, but would love to be a part of your chat room if you get it up and running. What a brilliant idea!

Thanks for all the responses. This is exactly the information I need for my customer.

Just a little bit of background since this is my first time posting. My daughter has been working in ceramics and pottery for over 10 years. I just took up the art form. We are long time Florida residents and this past week-end had a show in Crystal River, FL. A gentleman bought one of my pieces, and made comment that he hoped his wife would like it. Keep in mind that many people in Florida come down for the winter as snow birds, then head back up north for the summer. After we left the event, the gentleman called my cell phone and asked how my piece would handle -25 F temperatures in his cabin up north. My daughter and I were completely stumped. We are Floridians. We don't think about this kind of stuff! I've Googled his question and came up with nothing. We bisque fired at cone 04 and glaze fired at cone 6. I want to respond to him, but have no clue what to say.