Explorations with Clay and Fire

Wonderful new ceramic web site...

Sat, 29 Nov 2008 22:53:24 GMT

Hello friends,

Just found an wonderful new ceramic web site.

http://www.kariceramics.com/

I found this site when I was looking for matte glazes. It displays some very creative work with interesting designs and beautiful colored glazes. Keri has a new line of "Organic Stoneware" dishes that have a nice contrast between the rough exterior and the smooth interior.

Check it out!

Don

Pit fired bowl inside

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:40:39 GMT

I uploaded some of my older pieces today.

Pit fired bowl

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:39:15 GMT

Raku bumpy glaze

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:37:26 GMT

Older bowl

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:33:14 GMT

Older lidded pot

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:30:16 GMT

Porcelain incised bowl

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:25:54 GMT

Two new pieces 6/8/2008

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:11:53 GMT

Tea Pot with new handle

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:07:20 GMT

The first handle on the tea pot broke off. I replaced it with a new one with a different shape. I think it works better any way.

Tea Pot

Tue, 27 May 2008 04:57:13 GMT

Haven't posted for awhile since I have been learning more about glazes. There is a lot to learn about that topic. I watched a YouTube video today by Simon Leach about making a teapot. I decided to take it as a challenge. I didn't choose to use a bamboo handle so I added a different handle. here is my first attempt at a tea pot.

Here is the YouTube video that inspired me.

Part 1 - body:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=OcyiuJWu0u4

Part 2 - lid & spout:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=T-UdzbpOEtU&feature=related

Part 3 - trimming bottom:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Xkf6ctZAinA&feature=related

Part 4 - attaching spout:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4A6xougMn6U&feature=related

Part 5 - lugging the pot for a handle

http://youtube.com/watch?v=EghDNz5ChgQ&feature=related

Part 6 - cleaning and banding tips

http://youtube.com/watch?v=13JBfSPS9bk

Firing 5/4/08

Mon, 05 May 2008 01:17:23 GMT

I have so much to learn about glaze formulas. It is like being back in chemistry class. I need to understand how it all works so I can have some control over what it looks like. I recently saw a beautiful blue/green matte glaze that I want to duplicate. It was on some work at ArtWalk in San Diego.

Old piece that already had cracks. It broke when I was scrubbing it. More scrubbing after the glue dries.

Another older piece with a blue matte Cobalt glaze that I formulated. Modified a glossy recipe changing it to a matte surface. Sprayed thin coat on outside (subtle over the red clay body) and heavier on the inside (had a white slip fired inside previously).

Bisque fire Colman Porcelain clay body with incised lines filled with Mesa Red clay.

Raku 04/27/2008 part3

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 03:43:20 GMT

Here are the pieces after lots of scrubbing and cleaning...

That's is for today.
Let me know what you think.
Don

Raku 04/27/2008 part2

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 03:38:46 GMT

Pieces right after smoking them...

Part 3 coming next...

Raku 04/27/2008

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 03:32:30 GMT

Here are the pieces with the slip and glaze before firing...