You're looking at about a one inch square close up of the Florida clay slip on a test flower dish after bisque firing. Notice the crackled portions of slip; that's where I applied the slip twice. I could scratch the crackled slip off easily. I applied this slip to bone dry greenware which is not something I normally do. I usually apply my slip to soft clay pieces.
I would love to see that crackled texture on a large surface though, I rather like the white clay showing through the red clay slip. I better use a magnifying glass from now on, I missed two dots in the textured center, Ha! Maybe those flaked off, they look like they have a shadow on them, maybe I'm not slipping after all (no pun intended).
Most of the slip did adhere to the white stoneware. I'll have to try this same slip again. These two tests are firing to Cone 6 right now with a clear satin glaze over the top.
My flower cart bisque fired up to a very rickety shape. There's some real camber to the wheels; if I filled it full of flowers there might be a reason for that camber. The three middle uprights separated from the top, so I didn't put it in this firing. I must perfect my building technique. I will say this thing dried to a very light weight. Perhaps I made it a little too thin. I may put it in a subsequent firing just to see how it fares. Hum, how to glaze it?
Anyway stay tuned to see what color the slip fired to. The kiln is also chock full of flowers, lots of flowers, and is cooling down. It's down to 1737 F at this very moment. Please keep your fingers crossed all is well, I'm hoping for some good flower results with lots of colors! Stay tuned.
WOW- looks like birds getting ready to eat or fly on that top piece.
ReplyDeleteHi Meredith, thanks, I didn't see that till you pointed it out, strange brush strokes indeed. Ha.
ReplyDeleteHi Meredith, if I tried to do that on purpose I'd never succeed.
ReplyDeleteThe birds are fabulous -- maybe add a little flux to that slip???
ReplyDeleteAnd the flower cart is great - just the way it is. I can see it loaded with your flowers!
Hi Judy, thanks, I know you talked about adding flux to your slip before and I have never tried that, wondering how much to add? The flower cart is growing on me, I was just disappointed it separated, but I did put it together rather quickly, the next one is better. I will fire it next time. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteLinda - just 'google' slip recipes. I'm not working at ^6 or using any slip these days so I don't have any recipes handy. You might even search 'redart' slip -- then just substitute your Fl Clay for the clay in the recipe. There are lots of slip recipes out there - test test test. (Always hated when someone told me that - lol - but it's necessary).
ReplyDeletei've got my eye on your kiln, haha. I envy those of you that have the space & resources to have one. For now, I am at the whims of class firings, which slows down my testing & experiments quite a bit! :(
ReplyDeletewell, someday..... until then, i must live vicariously...
Hi Judy, thanks, so much I will check it out I know I have some 3124 in stock I think, I may try some of that. I notice your blog is gone and I was so disappointed, I learned so much from your blog and I thank you for all the info you gave, have a good one; I hope to meet you in person one of these days.
ReplyDeleteHi Becky, thanks for visiting and for the info on the clay. not too long ago I was just like you firing at the school and then my Gary saw an ad for small Skutt kiln for $75 dollars and I was in heaven and then I saved to have it wired correcting for my home and was able to do my own, now I finally have this programmable one. My work has progressed since I know have control over my own firings and can plan for filling it up, not to mention the time saved driving back and forth to school, although I miss my classmates, keep an eye out for used kilns and if you get a name brand one like Skutt, you can't go wrong, I wish you luck and look forward to reading your blog and learning all about you experiments too.
Hi Linda
ReplyDeleteI like your flower cart - have you ever used paper clay? It does seem to withstand lots of joining like your cart has. It doesn't warp as easily either. Plenty of commercial paperclays in Aus now but don't know about your side of the globe. Lots of info on this site: http://www.grahamhay.com.au/
Good luck with your slip too..
I love the crackling too. I hope that works out for you.
ReplyDeleteHi Anna, thanks, I have always wanted to try paper clay but have never tried it. they do have it commerically made here or I could make my own, one of these days I will try it.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori, thanks, yes the crackling is nice, next firing I may try again. I need a larger surface to see how it reacts.
Like you I like it when the clay shows through the glaze. I love those flower plates. I can imagine tiny ones of them as earrings :)
ReplyDeleteHi Wild Cherry, thanks, I thought about making some tiny earrings, perhaps with the next batch I make, they would definitely be fun and a challenge.
ReplyDelete