Glazing and firing a conical shape

[PaulineNL]

I have made a bunch of conical tree ornaments, I bisque fired them and glazed them today. I would like to glaze the interior of the cone as well as the bottom rim. But that leaves no place for it to sit on a kiln shelf. What is the solution?

[PaulineNL]

I am making stands out of high temp wire so they hang above the shelf. I hope this works.

[oldlady]

will that wire really hold the weight without sagging?    if the wire is strong enough i would try hanging them from a wire supported by posts at either end.   it would be simpler to leave the bottom unglazed.  

[Kelly in AK]

The wire will not support those, even if they’re light as a feather. Using stilts is how some people manage to glaze the bottoms of things. Generally stilts are rated for low fire (cone 04 or lower).

As mentioned above another solution is to leave the bottom rims unglazed. Still another is to use a room temperature finish, paint, varnish, etc. Since they’re not something people will eat off of it’s worth considering. 

[PaulineNL]

Thanks for the advice and warning. I think removing the glaze from the bottom rim is my best option. 

[Hulk]

You might test* somewhat like this:

A clay "stilt" - a tapered clay cylinder that supports the conical piece from within - touching perhaps about where the fourth or fifth circle of branches are, so it's stable.
Thus, you could glaze the bottom edge and up the inside - leaving plenty of unglazed area for the support, of course.

I was trying to remember where I'd done something similar, finally remembered, the upper portion of a two-part fountain, where I wanted the upper portion's drip edge glazed. A support cylinder did the trick. Lucky for me, the support and the ware didn't stick together! I was happy with the result, where all parts in constant direct contact with water are glazed. I run the fountain when I'm in the Studio; it makes a nice sound.

*test, as in limit the trying of something new to one or two tests, vs. risking the whole batch!

Edited December 24, 2022 by Hulk
subject/verb agreement

[Magnolia Mud Research]

13 hours ago, PaulineNL said:

I have made a bunch of conical tree ornaments, I bisque fired them and glazed them today. I would like to glaze the interior of the cone as well as the bottom rim. But that leaves no place for it to sit on a kiln shelf. What is the solution?

place three small sea shells (filled with wadding [mixture half alumina half kaolin wet to a stiff paste); shell side up touching each cone ware item.  the wadding supports the weight of the ware;  
The fired ware will have three small rough spots where each shell meets with the glaze that can be pollished with emery paper.  if the ware item is quite heavy, used larger shells. 
I have used this method for many years at firing temperatures from cone 011 to cone 12+ with 100% results at oxidation and reduction firing.   

LT
 

Edited December 24, 2022 by Magnolia Mud Research

[Pres]

@PaulineNL, I am looking at an article right now that describes using nichrome wire feet on the bottom of mugs. The article might be worth you looking for as it may fit your needs. It appears in the January/February 2023 issue of Pottery Making Illustrated.

 

Best,

Pres

[Chilly]

How big are they?  Will they stand on/over a round kiln support?  Leaving a small ring inside unglazed, so the foot can be glazed and most of the inside.