Small items

Chopstick holders



Soy plates



Ring holder

Pacifica Wheel - splash pan

I made a larger splash pan with a concrete mixing tab.  It was easy to cut with a bow saw.  I used the  splash pan came with the wheel on one side, and fit the concrete mixing tub on the other end.  It collects the trimming very well.

Rochester Magazine

Article by "Rochester Magazine"

Opening the kiln

Firing is done. I am still getting some oxidation next to the flame, but overall got good reduction.
Here are some unloaded from the kiln.

18” Platter



Oval platter finished, from the mold I made the other day.



Tenmoku design is set.



Chun blue test 2, on Stoneware clay and White stoneware

Iron contents of the stoneware clay gives the glaze blue tone, which I am after.

Blossoms and Birdbath

Finally it is spring here. Everything blossoms at once.




Birds are busy flying around.


Chipmunk somehow climbs up to the birdbath, too.

Pacifica wheel

I have been using the Pacifica wheel, GT-400 for two years.  It is quiet, and can handle 20lb of clay with ease.  Right after the purchase, I temporary installed the Shimpo’s large splash pan to try out.  Temporary, I did not secure the splash pan and I was thinking just to try it out as I often removed the wheel head from the Shimpo to put on and off the splash pan for a larger platter.  However, the wheel head got stuck, and did not move since.  I tried everything, heat, three people, mallet, etc.  to remove it.  I unscrewed two screws securing the shaft a month ago, and forgot put them back.  Recently I noticed the head was dropped a little, and it is very hard to cut a bottom of a large platter with a wire.  It is now starting cause problem making pottery.


I bought the belt buckle and secured the bottom part of the wheel, and sprayed a large amount of the lubricant.  And, twisted the wheel head at a time and spaying for one hour!  It came out finally.  Something hard was caught between the shafts as you can see the lines inside the wheel head.  I measure the diameter; it is very tight fit with no play.  I will find some mechanical shop to mill down 1/10 of mm or so before reinserting the wheel head.  I need to find some other way to collect the trimming.  The original splash pan came with the Pacific is not just big enough to collect trimming. I hate them flying all over the floor as well.

Decorating

Some decorating bowl and platter today. Carving and adding stamped clays. This could be a wall hanging, bowls or bird bath.

I start to feel the tendonitis on the left wrest, this happened the last year at the same location. I hope the icing and Aleve will heal quickly. This is crunch time for shows!