A few weeks ago I was running at warp speed in the studio. This week I've slowed down to a crawl. I guess I have to face the problems of the last firing before I can move ahead. Here's that big sunburst platter, it's fourteen inches across. Yep, unfortunately it warped, badly. My carving shows up nicely though, and I like the recessed foot. Not even a hint of a crack either. Darn.
I could use it as a wall hanging if it wasn't such a yucky color. The red clay did something weird to this color which is supposed to be a shino but looks like a clear. When I opened the kiln I saw one side was almost flat and luckily it didn't stick to the kiln shelf, that's how flat it was. Maybe I'll try this platter with a different type of clay after I get over this disappointment. Maybe I should make the foot taller next time.
The other thing I did with the firing before this last one was I put the cones on a cone pack which I thought cleared the top of the kiln. When I opened the kiln they were broken off and landed on the top shelf. Those didn't stick either, thank goodness.
I need to slow down a little and take stock in where I am going next. More about a few ideas I have later. This post is part of the Mud Colony sharing for this week, click on over to see what's happening in other pottery studios from around the globe. I have some smashing to do today so I can finally mail a package of shards. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
Hey Linda, don't give up on that sunflower just yet! I kind of like it...could be good garden art (?)
ReplyDelete:)
My mother had a sign in her kitchen that stated "The hurrier I go the behinder I get." Horrible grammar just made it easy to remember.
ReplyDeleteThe platter would make a great garden sunflower. It looks somewhat metallic in these pictures.
too bad about the slumping... the texture came out great. sometimes a wider foot ring helps for support.
ReplyDeleteyou need to get a stick that spans the width of your kiln to make sure everything is beneath the lid before you shut it!
I love your sunburst design! It's well worth trying again.
ReplyDeleteThe design is beautiful...do try it again!
ReplyDeleteHello Linda:
ReplyDeleteClay smashing, now that sounds like our idea of creative fun!! Indeed, it is most probably the only part of your work that we should have the least bit of success with. Everything else is beyond us, of that we are sure.
Is the sunflower platter really beyond all hope. The design looks lovely...surely it has a use somewhere?
garden wall comes to mind- and try it again.
ReplyDeleteDang! Hate it when that happens!
ReplyDeleteIt's so frustrating when slumps happen. I like the idea of using it in the garden. Perhaps you could make a support ring at the same time you make the sunflower....let them dry together...a couple of layers of tissue paper between should stop any sticking.
ReplyDeleteYou will get it to work....just give yourself time.
Every day is another adventure isn't it? We never grow unless we push our boundaries and we don't know where the boundary is unless we go too far once and a while.I'm getting better at telling myself this when things go wrong, and I know something always will.
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy, thanks, glad you said that I won't smash it, wish I had put a hole in the foot to string a wire through.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori, thanks, it's shiny and perhaps does have a metallic look to it.
Hi Michele, thanks, I do have a long carpenter's level that goes across the kiln, but I didn't use it, shame on me.
Hi Ms. Sparrow, thanks, I'll give it a whirl one of these days, big disappointment since it took so long to make.
Hi Turquoisemoon, thanks, so much time for so little results, bummer.
Hi Jane and Lance, thanks, yes it would be a smashing success to do some smashing, Ha. I may keep the platter around for some type of use.
Hi Meredith, thanks, sometimes these large pieces are so disappointing with all the work they entail.
Hi Patricia, thanks, yep you and I both know that feeling for sure.
Hi Suzi, thanks, I know I had suggesting about making the support ring when I made this platter but never did that, perhaps next time.
Hi Dennis, thanks, yes an adventure, sometimes I'm not so sure how much more time consuming adventure I want to get into.
YES...Garden flower. Maybe it could even be the base for a sundial?
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, thanks for being a part of Mud Colony!! Hey ,put that sunflower in the cupboard for 6 months-then have a another look, bet you will change your mind ! Cheers
ReplyDeleteAC :)
Hi Barbara, thanks, what a good idea for a sundial.
ReplyDeleteHi Adriana, thanks, I have set it aside and am now thinking of drilling a hole in the foot to see if I can hang it with a wire, good idea.