Mark C.

The car kiln and the updraft are maybe only a few of the reasons I cannot move.I'm thinking about pouring a large slab in kiln area for an 18 cubic Geil kiln I have access to add to my kiln quiver as well now. All my stuff is heavy-the many tons of Bronze in the yards from shipwrecks is also a deterrent . I did sell about 2k worth last year in salvage and have at least that again to sell. Heck I have one blade of a bronze ships propeller that weights over 750 #s in driveway.Now its a 40 foot x 14 solar array that I put in that also a chain around our ankles now. The two dive compressors I can still move -The  house is only 1250 square feet so thats not an issue all same level as well. Its the near 1 acre yard work that will be an issue-I have a rider mower now but the day will come we hire a Gardner-its just in the plan.
The zillion tons of glaze materials also slows down the move process as well as just about everything I do is so heavy.
In my next life I think car salesman so all my hand s have to do is point towards cars-that a good one over there see where I'm pointing .Its also a high milage unit-yes Desoto is an older brand name but just look at that styling.

This is what almost every Monday looks like on Glaze day-its whats on the workbench which is every flat surface I can find in kiln loading area. These are all the pots we glazed today(my assistant and I ) and I loaded the small 12 cubic kiln and the large 35 cubic car kiln(I forgot to take that photo but I have posted it more times than I can recall.This may be my last workbench shot this year not the last fire but the workbench is always looking like this every week since Sept when sales took off. As in above post my back hurts as do my feet and arms. These long days are killer on the body. I lit the kilns for a slow rise and will finish firing on Tuesday -unload them both on Thursday. I start throwing agin in am and this week is the last cycle this year for me. 98% of this glaze ware fit in the two kilns and I got it done by 6 pm. Out of a bath now feeling sore like i do every Monday night.Pottery is a contact profession and at my level it can wack you.I loaded over 50 advancer shelves in the se two kilns this afternoon. We cheated a bit and waxed a the load and I glazed a hour yesterday to get a jump on todays madness.My booth is closed for Monday and Tuesday so I could work without distractions of going and coming twice a day to booth.
I'll get the burners up later tonight to go thru quartz slow and get up at 5 am and kick both kilns up hard and go back to sleep a few hours.Fires will be over in afternoon at a soft 1/2 cone 11.  Slow two day cool. All pots are porcelain .I;m out of a few items right now and need some of these for orders NOW.
The beat goes on. Its days like this I wonder when folks ask about being a potter and how much do you have to work every day.I strongly feel if you ask that question you are not cut out for it. Time for some more Queens Gambit on Netflix.-Mea I'm putting my feet up tonight.

My next move is cremation . Age in place for us.

The car kiln and the updraft are maybe only a few of the reasons I cannot move.I'm thinking about pouring a large slab in kiln area for an 18 cubic Geil kiln I have access to add to my kiln quiver as well now. All my stuff is heavy-the many tons of Bronze in the yards from shipwrecks is also a deterrent . I did sell about 2k worth last year in salvage and have at least that again to sell. Heck I have one blade of a bronze ships propeller that weights over 750 #s in driveway.Now its a 40 foot x 14 solar array that I put in that also a chain around our ankles now. The two dive compressors I can still move -The  house is only 1250 square feet so thats not an issue all same level as well. Its the near 1 acre yard work that will be an issue-I have a rider mower now but the day will come we hire a Gardner-its just in the plan.
The zillion tons of glaze materials also slows down the move process as well as just about everything I do is so heavy.
In my next life I think car salesman so all my hand s have to do is point towards cars-that a good one over there see where I'm pointing .Its also a high milage unit-yes Desoto is an older brand name but just look at that styling.

2021 will bring in a fury of potting in 1st two weeks to get stock to cover my hand surgery recovery time in my outlets.
I plan on time away from clay for several months after the 19th.
winter is slow sales and thats what I need now. I will not do my usual may spring fair. Maybe an August show buts it still upo in the air. I'm not going to do a 4th of July show that I have done since 1973 staright thru iuntil covid cancelled it-I'm now done with the one day show forever myself.
I will put in another mini split in kitchen (14 foot ceilings) late spring.for the ac part mostly in summer.Its the only project this coming year after way to many last year.
As to potting I plan on stocking better for xmas since this crazy season that just passed . I was prepared I thought but never had a rush Like I just went thru.Just paid my gas bill $1450,00
I need to get back slowy into clay after the recovery.
I plan on diving /underwater phots in Bali in the fall if covid gets kicked down by then-it will be at least 3 weeks abroad this time.I missed this years trip . I'm also going to do a few less shows and try hard to work less -as I do not yet know how thats done well.
 

I agree on this point from that photo -also a lack of slip-I just do not see much slip in there.

My next move is cremation . Age in place for us.

My next move is cremation . Age in place for us.

I agree on this point from that photo -also a lack of slip-I just do not see much slip in there.

yes score both sides and push them hard together then wrap in plastic to equalize a day.

When the bond is not right they can jump off.
Reasons -here are a few
slabs are different moisture content- Slabs are to dry to work well. my guess is this one
wrap them fin plastic for at least a day to even out next time
not enough slip  used or  enough pressure when joining
Not enough time wraped up to equalize moisture content
bisque fired to fast ( I doubt this one)

When the bond is not right they can jump off.
Reasons -here are a few
slabs are different moisture content- Slabs are to dry to work well. my guess is this one
wrap them fin plastic for at least a day to even out next time
not enough slip  used or  enough pressure when joining
Not enough time wraped up to equalize moisture content
bisque fired to fast ( I doubt this one)

This is what almost every Monday looks like on Glaze day-its whats on the workbench which is every flat surface I can find in kiln loading area. These are all the pots we glazed today(my assistant and I ) and I loaded the small 12 cubic kiln and the large 35 cubic car kiln(I forgot to take that photo but I have posted it more times than I can recall.This may be my last workbench shot this year not the last fire but the workbench is always looking like this every week since Sept when sales took off. As in above post my back hurts as do my feet and arms. These long days are killer on the body. I lit the kilns for a slow rise and will finish firing on Tuesday -unload them both on Thursday. I start throwing agin in am and this week is the last cycle this year for me. 98% of this glaze ware fit in the two kilns and I got it done by 6 pm. Out of a bath now feeling sore like i do every Monday night.Pottery is a contact profession and at my level it can wack you.I loaded over 50 advancer shelves in the se two kilns this afternoon. We cheated a bit and waxed a the load and I glazed a hour yesterday to get a jump on todays madness.My booth is closed for Monday and Tuesday so I could work without distractions of going and coming twice a day to booth.
I'll get the burners up later tonight to go thru quartz slow and get up at 5 am and kick both kilns up hard and go back to sleep a few hours.Fires will be over in afternoon at a soft 1/2 cone 11.  Slow two day cool. All pots are porcelain .I;m out of a few items right now and need some of these for orders NOW.
The beat goes on. Its days like this I wonder when folks ask about being a potter and how much do you have to work every day.I strongly feel if you ask that question you are not cut out for it. Time for some more Queens Gambit on Netflix.-Mea I'm putting my feet up tonight.

This is what almost every Monday looks like on Glaze day-its whats on the workbench which is every flat surface I can find in kiln loading area. These are all the pots we glazed today(my assistant and I ) and I loaded the small 12 cubic kiln and the large 35 cubic car kiln(I forgot to take that photo but I have posted it more times than I can recall.This may be my last workbench shot this year not the last fire but the workbench is always looking like this every week since Sept when sales took off. As in above post my back hurts as do my feet and arms. These long days are killer on the body. I lit the kilns for a slow rise and will finish firing on Tuesday -unload them both on Thursday. I start throwing agin in am and this week is the last cycle this year for me. 98% of this glaze ware fit in the two kilns and I got it done by 6 pm. Out of a bath now feeling sore like i do every Monday night.Pottery is a contact profession and at my level it can wack you.I loaded over 50 advancer shelves in the se two kilns this afternoon. We cheated a bit and waxed a the load and I glazed a hour yesterday to get a jump on todays madness.My booth is closed for Monday and Tuesday so I could work without distractions of going and coming twice a day to booth.
I'll get the burners up later tonight to go thru quartz slow and get up at 5 am and kick both kilns up hard and go back to sleep a few hours.Fires will be over in afternoon at a soft 1/2 cone 11.  Slow two day cool. All pots are porcelain .I;m out of a few items right now and need some of these for orders NOW.
The beat goes on. Its days like this I wonder when folks ask about being a potter and how much do you have to work every day.I strongly feel if you ask that question you are not cut out for it. Time for some more Queens Gambit on Netflix.-Mea I'm putting my feet up tonight.

This is what almost every Monday looks like on Glaze day-its whats on the workbench which is every flat surface I can find in kiln loading area. These are all the pots we glazed today(my assistant and I ) and I loaded the small 12 cubic kiln and the large 35 cubic car kiln(I forgot to take that photo but I have posted it more times than I can recall.This may be my last workbench shot this year not the last fire but the workbench is always looking like this every week since Sept when sales took off. As in above post my back hurts as do my feet and arms. These long days are killer on the body. I lit the kilns for a slow rise and will finish firing on Tuesday -unload them both on Thursday. I start throwing agin in am and this week is the last cycle this year for me. 98% of this glaze ware fit in the two kilns and I got it done by 6 pm. Out of a bath now feeling sore like i do every Monday night.Pottery is a contact profession and at my level it can wack you.I loaded over 50 advancer shelves in the se two kilns this afternoon. We cheated a bit and waxed a the load and I glazed a hour yesterday to get a jump on todays madness.My booth is closed for Monday and Tuesday so I could work without distractions of going and coming twice a day to booth.
I'll get the burners up later tonight to go thru quartz slow and get up at 5 am and kick both kilns up hard and go back to sleep a few hours.Fires will be over in afternoon at a soft 1/2 cone 11.  Slow two day cool. All pots are porcelain .I;m out of a few items right now and need some of these for orders NOW.
The beat goes on. Its days like this I wonder when folks ask about being a potter and how much do you have to work every day.I strongly feel if you ask that question you are not cut out for it. Time for some more Queens Gambit on Netflix.-Mea I'm putting my feet up tonight.

Blackthorn Yesterdays glaze loads
The 1st photo is the small updraft gas kiln the other three shots are the larger downdraft car kiln
packed up most of these pots for future wholesale order in gallery about 10 drive from here.I take them about 1/2 way down in next Month (late May ) if I'm allowed to go.
The fires turned out very well with only a few refires(3-4 pots with pits) It's pits that happen with so much rutile glaze used in a reduction atmosphere . I have learned very well how to get near 100% refires to work at this point-it all depends where in kiln they go. Working with most of the glazes for over 40 years now I can usually control how much they run. I had one runner in all these pots and it was a sponge holder fired to a hard cone 11 near burner.
Min the new Seafoam satin matt glaze came out super in the small kiln bottom (hot spot)Thanks again for that help
Glazes range from black to browns blues and greens to landscapes-shiny to matt.
I decided to work one week in clay and take the next week off and so forth to get my other projects done. Back to clay next Monday.
I unloaded on Friday  afternoon and by saturday mid day  they where all packed in boxes and accounted for.Some for wholesale otrder some for lacal supoermarkets some for a gallery when they reopen.
 

Glad to see real potters have to set up sheets of plywood in the yard to make room for glazing too lol!
Looks like a chore man, nice load

As to the workbench I'm overloaded with demand currently. I open my booth on the 11th -build it on the 10th same day I unload two glaze fires. Every outlet is selling like crazy -one gallery sent a email today as they sold all the tumblers today to one customer (48 of them) . I called them back and said more on the 12th. My  organic markets are outselling last year by a bunch. This years xmas season is nuts and since it my 40th something season thats saying something. To top it all off covid is on the rise now even here behind the redwood curtain.

I will condider shorting the 1000 foot pier I was dreaming of to say 500 feet
As to the  ceramic tec i'll give up the kiln controlers on an electric (I do not have one) But am willing to finish without one

I will condider shorting the 1000 foot pier I was dreaming of to say 500 feet
As to the  ceramic tec i'll give up the kiln controlers on an electric (I do not have one) But am willing to finish without one

I think the other thing that has made a significant change to how electric kiln fired glazes turn out is the practice of slow cooling. I think that has been a game changer; being able to get the micro crystallization of dolomite mattes etc. that are possible with a high mass hard brick kiln that cools so much slower than the typical electric kiln. I was looking through an online CM magazine from the fifties, an article spoke of using the kiln sitter and propping it back up and turning the dial(s) back on to medium for a few hours. I didn't know it was a thing back then to slow cool (I wasn't around then), it's my understanding that the practice of slow cooling electric kilns really took off when it was written about in the Mastering Cone 6 Glazes book from Hesselberth and Roy. I know that when I went to school in the 90's the electric kilns were mostly used for bisque or earthenware firing. Can't remember anyone slow cooling the electrics.

As to the workbench I'm overloaded with demand currently. I open my booth on the 11th -build it on the 10th same day I unload two glaze fires. Every outlet is selling like crazy -one gallery sent a email today as they sold all the tumblers today to one customer (48 of them) . I called them back and said more on the 12th. My  organic markets are outselling last year by a bunch. This years xmas season is nuts and since it my 40th something season thats saying something. To top it all off covid is on the rise now even here behind the redwood curtain.

Hey your  "sailing mugs", old school travelers.  are what we call Motion mugs or Trucker mugs or Travel mugs.I still make and sell them.
I attach a neoprene rubber bottom on them so they also make them no skid.
I can pm you a source if you want them
 

As to the workbench I'm overloaded with demand currently. I open my booth on the 11th -build it on the 10th same day I unload two glaze fires. Every outlet is selling like crazy -one gallery sent a email today as they sold all the tumblers today to one customer (48 of them) . I called them back and said more on the 12th. My  organic markets are outselling last year by a bunch. This years xmas season is nuts and since it my 40th something season thats saying something. To top it all off covid is on the rise now even here behind the redwood curtain.

As to the workbench I'm overloaded with demand currently. I open my booth on the 11th -build it on the 10th same day I unload two glaze fires. Every outlet is selling like crazy -one gallery sent a email today as they sold all the tumblers today to one customer (48 of them) . I called them back and said more on the 12th. My  organic markets are outselling last year by a bunch. This years xmas season is nuts and since it my 40th something season thats saying something. To top it all off covid is on the rise now even here behind the redwood curtain.