Thursday, June 10, 2010

Skutt Here, Fun Begins


Rarely do I purchase anything new, but I think a new kiln is a wise choice for me right now. I finally splurged (with some convincing to Gary) for my new Skutt 1218-3 which just arrived. I purchased my kiln from Bennett Pottery here in Florida. Judy Shreve recommended me to them, thanks Judy.

This kiln has an automatic controller and fires to cone 10. Could there be crystal glazes in my future? There I go dreaming and off on a another tangent. My old Skutt from the early 1980's, which still works fine (at least before I moved it did), has a sitter and fires to cone 6. I purposely got a kiln with a wide opening and not too tall, 28 inches wide and 18 inches tall, so I can load it myself without straining my back.


The bowl is an experiment of mine from the last raku firing. The pitting you see is because this was a bowl I used coffee grinds for texture. The coffee grinds make a nice texture, but maybe not for raku. It was the only bisqued bowl I had at the time for raku. The back of the bowl didn't turn black. My bowl was the last to be taken out of the raku kiln and placed in the reduction chamber, so I think the glaze had cooled off. Still the copper is nice, but the blue didn't mature.


I am hoping I can get corelite shelves to fit this shape kiln since they are lighter in weight; so I'll be checking on those. I am so ecstatic I can hardly wait to get the kiln set up. I'm calling an electrician right away. It might take a week or so to get it set up depending upon the electrician's schedule, so more about the set up later. Comments and suggestions are welcome.

14 comments:

  1. congrats linda! that automatic controller is like when you first got a washing machine in the house.

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  3. That was my delete, boy I should really spell check before I press send! Anyway, congrats, very nice kiln, I know you are going to have a lot of fun with it! Bet you barely sleep tonight with all the ideas floating around :)

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  4. Looks like I didn't get my kiln before you after all. Mine came today as well. Have fun with it!

    Michael

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  5. Yes! You will love this kiln!
    Now let the firings begin!

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  6. ooh too much fun to be had..exciting stuff!!

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  7. Yay for you, Linda..congrats!
    You will love it, I'm sure...
    have fun dreaming of opening it for the first time!..
    T.

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  8. Happy Skutt day to you, Happy Skutt day to you, Happy Skutt day dear Linda, Happy Skutt day to you! (to the tune of happy birthday!).

    Great that you have got a new kiln. Congratulations, and may you have many happy years ahead making wonderful pots and trying new glazes.

    Best Wishes from P, L, G, and NS

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  9. You must be so excited! Are you putting it in your garage? I hope the electrician can get you all hooked-up soon. I'm sure you can't wait to fire that baby!

    I love my Skutt - it's been a great kiln & Skutt's customer service & technicians are great to work with. I love Bennetts too. They are a great pottery supply house!

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  10. YAAAAAY! The baby is here, the baby is here!! didn't you just want to run around in circles shouting to the neighborhood your new kiln is here?!! Congratulations you more than deserve a new kiln :o) give Gary a big hug :o))

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  11. Hi Jim, thanks I hope to be washing away real soon, that's quite a comparison, can't wait.

    Hi Cindy, thanks, I guess I'll celebrate making lots of test tiles.

    Hi Mr. Young, thanks, it's been a long haul.

    Hi Tracey, thanks, I have tons of ideas that's for sure.

    Hi Michael, thanks, too funny we both got ours the same day, they must really take just so long to make them and ship them.

    Hi Meredith, thanks, where is the electrician when you need him.

    Hi Ang, thanks so much.

    Hi Trish, thanks, can't wait for the reality.

    Hi Peter, thanks, just had my 60th birthday so the tune is perfect.

    Hi Judy, thanks, glad I went to Bennetts.

    Hi Patricia, thanks, I hope to going and going.

    Hi Cindy, thanks, I hope to put some big pieces in this one.

    Thanks everyone for your well wishes, I really have my work cut out for me now, no excuses on not making a lot of work. Ha, ha.

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I love suggestions, questions, critiques, thanks for your comment