Seesee Posted February 22 Report Share Posted February 22 Hello all, I have been working on this slab bout peice for quite along time a lot has gone wrong but I’m finally happy with it. I don’t usually slab build which I think is the problem anyhow cracks have developed along the seams small hairline cracks, I’m afraid of firing and the finding out the cracks get even bigger or that the peice suddenly falls apart as my deadline is creeping up. While handling the peice in a leather hard state a wall shattered, instead of replacing the whole slab I patched the peices broken off back in with coils and plenty of slip. No matter how much it tried to repair it in a leather hard state the cracks reappeared so I’ve let it completely dry out etching into the crack using malt vinegar and a clay slip to fill it in. Letting it dry naturally and still nothing. The clay I'm using is meant for handbulding and has quite a lot of grog in. I’ve tried being patient but unsure on what to try next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted February 22 Report Share Posted February 22 My experience they will very very likely grow as the clay shrinks in the next firing(s). For me, I would remake it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted February 22 Report Share Posted February 22 Remake it is the only answer, a crack like that will only widen when it is fired, You might have had a chance if it was smaller but the twisting and movement of the clay will separate it. Denice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seesee Posted February 23 Author Report Share Posted February 23 Feared you would say this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rae Reich Posted February 23 Report Share Posted February 23 Since you have a deadline, it may be impossible to remake the piece in time. In that case, I would go ahead and fire the piece. Those cracks are not likely to expand to the point of destruction unless additional stress is put on it during the firing. You may need to accept the modifications to your piece as part of the process, maybe even emphasizing stress lines with glaze or coloration to incorporate them - an “I meant to do that” approach If there’s a possibility of completing a new piece in time (using and improving on what you have learned so far) I recommend that you make two or three at the same time as insurance, or at least the greater likelihood, of a piece completed as you envisioned. And maybe you’ll have a series! Callie Beller Diesel and Seesee 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seesee Posted February 23 Author Report Share Posted February 23 Initially I wanted to make 3 peices so if this happened I’d have options over the span of a month I only completed this peiece to a level that I was happy with. (the others warped, cracked came apart) So was distraught when I broke it and then these cracks appeared. I fear I’ve learnt nothing from the process but to never build intricate geometric forms by slab building. I have 3 weeks left and will just try my best to get another one done this time using the thicker slabs and another clay with less grog. I do like your idea about embracing the stress lines although I hope that the glaze I use will fuse everything together. Overall just disappointing that’s it’s not structurally a strong peice which also has an impact on aesthetic, also that I feel I’ve learnt next to nothing. Thank you all for your help! Rae Reich 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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