Gary has been squeezing ruby red grapefruit juice this week. We're taking advantage of this grapefruit grown in the county below us here in Florida. Here's a cup and pitcher set I made a few years ago. I used Windsor Porcelain fired to Cone 10 in reduction. Gary and others have raved about this set, so I'll work on a few sets this week; another item from the back burner.
As I recall I used a cobalt stain on greenware and when the set came out of the bisque it was much too dark and streaky. Folks recommended I scrub it briskly to remove some of the stain. Maybe it was before the bisque. My memory fails me since I'm wondering if scrubbing would remove stain after bisque. I do remembering scrubbing it briskly with a scrub brush dipped in water. I put a clear glaze over the top and it came out looking much better, thank goodness. I like the wavy fronts on the cups, but I don't like how the handle is attached. It's too bulky looking; I think I can improve on that.
In other news I've been contacted by more folks wanting my pottery in their galleries, more about that later. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
You can probably sand off excess stain after bisque, but it'll be messy and wear your dust mask.
ReplyDeleteIf you apply the stain after bisque, you can just sponge off excess. A little less messy, but maybee it won't leave enough of the blue? Probably will, cobalt is strong.
Pretty set!
Hi Barbara, thanks, maybe I applied the cobalt after bisque when I got too much on, then scrubbed it, that must have been what I did, it was so many years ago I can't remember. I just remember the set was saved from the trash can by the scrubbing off the excess stain.
ReplyDeleteruby red,,, yum and the lamb stew- I have one I make with sweet potatoes and I prefer them over the regular ones.
ReplyDeleteDid you do a post about these? Seems you did- not you have to hunt for it- but I would think you did scrub it back on green ware.
that should be now not not----
ReplyDeleteHi Meredith, thanks, I used sweet potatoes because I didn't have regular ones and it was good, I'll have to get your recipe to compare to mine.
ReplyDeleteOh Meredith, thanks, I thought I did post on the scrubbing, but I did a search and couldn't find it, Ha. it must have been freshly applied stain and I was afraid to scrub it for fear it would break the pieces.
ReplyDeleteI love grapefruit and juice but I can't take it because it conflicts with a medication that I'm taking.
ReplyDeleteSigh....
You're so luck to have them so close to you.
ReplyDeleteI'm like Ms Sparrow and can't take grapefruit. But your pitcher set brought a bright smile. Love the color!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the interest by new folks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding me. I have a ruby red in my refridgerator that needs eaten.
yeah! good to hear about the galleries; I'm not surprised. I've put stain on pieces before bisque and after. Before, it's good, but it's hard to wipe away the excess, the clay body can help in this or not help...
ReplyDeletepost-bisque, I've found that it works well, but that sponges can be destroyed easily in the process. It helps in that if one doesn't apply too much stain at the beginning... good luck with it all!
p.s... forgot to say that post-bisque, when I put on the stain, I do so with a paintbrush and then use a WET sponge to wipe off the excess.
ReplyDeleteHi Ms. Sparrow, thanks, too bad about the grapefruit.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori, thanks, yes we have lots of farmer's markets along side the roads and we stop in to those we are passing by to see what bargains they have.
Hi Kittie, thanks, the blue turned out nice some of that cobalt can get too dark.
Hi Patti, thanks, we shall see how the new venues do.
Hi Amy, thanks, the more I think about it the more I think I must have done this after bisque, otherwise how would I have wiped it off. I thought I had posted about it but can't find the post. oh well.
Yeah I put it on with a paint brush but I think I mixed it too dark at the time. Next time I'll thin it down more.
Hi Linda
ReplyDeleteI love grapefruits and the juice. In Wyoming it's trucked in. I wish I could get it fresh like you! congrats on the galleries!
Hi Connie, thanks, yes it is good fresh. if we cant' get it fresh Gary likes the stuff that isn't from concentrate with pulp, more expensive, but he thinks the cost is worth it.
ReplyDelete