Min

It's a bit chilly here this week and my wheel is in a shed that is outdoors with a gas heater. -27C so maybe I should think of something else to do.

ok, here goes. I replaced all elements in my paragon A88b kiln in December. Bisque fired cone 04 (bright red, orange, yellow) everything fine two weeks ago. Tried to do a glaze fire and never got past dark red. #2 and # 3 elements are not working. used volt meter and no power to them, checked not broken, checked connections. When i turn the two switches on to low and medium NO sound and no voltage. When i turn them to high i get the normal buzzing sound and #1 and #4 elements get hot....??? #1 and #2 elements are connected to the top switch and #3 and #4 are connected to the bottom switch. Rotary switches need replaced?????

I’m looking for any information on Blue Diamond kilns

Spent the last few days writing a clay chemistry specific  "glossary of terms." If someone would be kind enough to stop by an uncross my eyes, much appreciated.

Spent the last few days writing a clay chemistry specific  "glossary of terms." If someone would be kind enough to stop by an uncross my eyes, much appreciated.

In Shanghai airport on my way to Australia for Christmas and the only thing that I can seem to access is this forum ;D. Not blocked by their fire wall.

Min I don't think I took any photos of the dishes,  I was working at my store 70 to 90 hours a week and made the dishes when I had a moment to spare.  My friend wanted a entire formal place setting so her daughter didn't have to eat off of plastic dishes at family dinners and holidays.   I made the entire formal place setting including cups and saucers,  they were mostly for looks.    I believe I made the soup bowl with no rest on it.  I can tell you that I had a lot more curve inward at the top edge and it curved further around.   The had rest was added to the lowest side of the curve.   A half round shape,  my friend wanted it so her daughter couldn't flip the dish when she laid her arm down.    She couldn't gently lower her arm.   Can the lady you are making it for try it out?   Denice

 Firing two more glaze fires today

I build my lockable pottery Booth Friday-start selling Saturday.My 39th year at this shopping center.

 Firing two more glaze fires today

I build my lockable pottery Booth Friday-start selling Saturday.My 39th year at this shopping center.

raku'd all morning & then I get into the kitchen tonight and burn my hand from the steam of a microwave dinner. Looks like I should have kept the raku gloves on.

Over this past weekend I had a conversation with a woman who’s dad has mild dementia. It was at a sale I was doing and she literally jumped when she saw my porcelain polar bears. They are just little standing bears, nothing spectacular. She told me her dad and her have gone on yearly vacations since her mum passed away a few years back. In the spring she is taking him to the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat where they care for orphaned or injured bears. She said he has always loved polar bears but with his dementia his memory is slipping so she bought him a bear to put beside his bed to remind him of the trip they will be taking. Thought it was really touching and appreciated that she took the time to tell me the story even though it made her cry.

Over this past weekend I had a conversation with a woman who’s dad has mild dementia. It was at a sale I was doing and she literally jumped when she saw my porcelain polar bears. They are just little standing bears, nothing spectacular. She told me her dad and her have gone on yearly vacations since her mum passed away a few years back. In the spring she is taking him to the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat where they care for orphaned or injured bears. She said he has always loved polar bears but with his dementia his memory is slipping so she bought him a bear to put beside his bed to remind him of the trip they will be taking. Thought it was really touching and appreciated that she took the time to tell me the story even though it made her cry.

unloaded two great kiln loads-xmas stock is piling up-Back to working with 5#s of clay now-broken arm is coming along nicely now at 6 weeks .

Got half a kiln load. "Time to make the  donuts!" (I wonder how many members are too young to remember that fun commercial?)

Got half a kiln load. "Time to make the  donuts!" (I wonder how many members are too young to remember that fun commercial?)

In Honolulu this week. We get on cruise ship on Saturday. 

Glaze week-spent time last 3 days glazing-arm is slowly getting stronger .Fired small gas kiln yesterday with glaze load -today load big kiln

2019 Smithsonian Craft Show, here I come! 

Starting to read thru the gerstley borate substitute items on the forum.  Has anyone tried Tom Buck's dry mix substitute?  Or do you think its less problematic to just go with Gillespie Borate?

Starting to read thru the gerstley borate substitute items on the forum.  Has anyone tried Tom Buck's dry mix substitute?  Or do you think its less problematic to just go with Gillespie Borate?

Starting to read thru the gerstley borate substitute items on the forum.  Has anyone tried Tom Buck's dry mix substitute?  Or do you think its less problematic to just go with Gillespie Borate?

Finally was able to fire the new kiln yesterday.   Would not fire...just gave  a strange error message.  The problem was the  Genesis controller was wired incorrectly.  With help from Steve at Bartlett...changed 2 wires and it fired right up.  

Have to cancel my next weekend art fair due to broken elbow  1st canceled show ever

(cracked radius bone)

I was in my old apple tree when a 5 inch limb broke and I fell about 7 feet.1st ever broken bone.Two weeks in sling no clay for at least a month. kiln is firing last glaze fire now.just coming to terms with this setback

I packed up my small truck with every thing one needs to demonstrate pottery throwing .I am doing a live demo (11am -1pm at one of my organic market outlets in Mckinleville,Ca as its local products demo day . This is the 1st year my schedule has allowed this to happen.I have. not done this in 40 years or more

After 1.5~ years working as a receptionist and saving money I have moved to Stoke-on-Trent to find a job in a pottery factory