Hot studio

After a week off, sort of. Back to the studio. Outside temperature is in teen's, and studio is 90's. It depends on the direction of the wind. North wind makes the studio really cold, getting good down-draft through the kiln chimney. Last two days it was different story. Even I opened the windows, the chilly air did not come into the studio. It was just strange. I should not complain, though. Warm is better than cold.

I have been thinking about the new items for next year. So far, I can't think of any. I threw several flower pots last week, which I used to make. Several people asked me about the canister sets, which takes up the space in the van to bring to the shows. Any suggestion?

It is a time to apply shows. I cannot decide whether I apply 100 American Craftsmen (10+ years doing the show) or Three River Art Festival (4 years ) next year. This is the first time the date for the show overlapped. It is tough one. My daughter is going to graduate the high school in June, so I should be careful not double booking events.

Two sectional vase 2

It is frigit outside, and tropial inside the studio.



I trimmed and decorated the vase today.  It will be cover for a couple days, then another a week for drying.

Two sectional vase

I threw a large vase with two sections. I threw a bottom pieces with the groove, and the top without it, and let dry on the wheel for 1.5 hours with the wheel turning and a fan running. Then put together.

Slowing down

Winter is back.  Arrived here late.  I certainly enjoyed the warm weather.



Many people came out for the studio opening, and I enjoy showing my work space.  I wish to have a little more space so I can display my pottery year around. This was the set-up over the weekend.



The decal in the glaze kiln to cone 10 held in the position it applied. So, it works to brush on the wax resist over the raw glaze, and apply the decal if you are in rush.  However, it was faded very much in the cone 10 firing. (left cone 04, right cone 10)  So, it does not work well in cone 10.

I finally slowed down last couple days, and picking up the studio to the working condition. I start making 2010 pottery now on.  I want to make a couple of large vases to start with.

Decal

I have been reading the decal on the pottery. Keith Phillips and Cynthia Guajardo describes their process at his and her blog. That makes me very curious. I bought the HP 1020 laser printer and the laser printer decal paper off the ebay last week.  I made the decal of the Hungerford Urban Artisan logo on the glaze fired cups, and put in the bisque kiln to cone 06.



Most recommended to cone 04, though I like the bisque pieces to cone 06 for better fit of the glaze. The toner of the laser printer contains 50% iron, that is fused to the glaze, and become very nice sepia color. I like how the test turned out, especially with the rutile blue and the amber glaze combination.


Today, I was glazing and loading the kiln for firing tomorrow.  I wanted several cups made with logo before the studio opening this weekend, but don’t have enough time to glaze fire, attach the decal and bisque fire them.  So, I glazed the cup, waxed over it, and attached the decal on the waxed surfcae. I have no idea this would work or not.


I think making a design for the decal to fit with the glaze would be the most difficult part, and have a whole winter to think about.

Two in the row

I opened the kiln today, and yes, it all reduced. The saga of oxidation is finally over!  I guess I have been reducing way too much, and choking the kiln. The setting now is very similar to what I have fired at my previous home studio.   It has been three years since I moved the studio, and I really do not remember how and when I changed the way I fire last couple years.   I change a setting, and guess the result and change again .  Bad spiral and going deep to a black hole, that I felt last 12 months.

Couple things to note are 1)  I begin the body reduction earlier. 2) oxyprobe reading maybe off .10 to .15 now.  Last firing, the reading at the end of the firing was .54, which is lowest I ever been, and I was very afraid of oxidation.  But the kiln temperature was climbing (it stalled at .60)  and I got both spy holes getting back pressure.

I enjoy now until another thing to headache with.

Getting ready for the open house

I have been glazing last couple days and am firing tomorrow. I mailed  postcards to Rochester area customers and was working on the map of the hungerford building for the building wide open house.  The kiln is loaded with slightly new setting, moving the target brick 1/2" toward burner, and I will ease the reduction at the end of firing.  I hope to have another firing after this load before the open house.

Studio Open House and Sale

December 4th (5PM to 9 PM) & 5th (10AM to 5PM)

In conjunction with “A-MAZE-ING Hungerford”
- Art at the edge Building-wide open studio over 25 Hungerford Urban Artisans

Come to the door 2.  There will be the elevator operator helping you to my floor, and other artisans floors.

1115 East Main Street Suite 422, Rochester, NY 14607

I will put a map at next post.