Yesterday I drove to Atlanta to get some much needed clay supplies. It's approximately two hours one way from my home. Even though there was a sushi bar right near the clay supply store,
Davens, I couldn't talk Gary into going. Not only was there a sushi bar, but an Indian, Cuban and Mediterranean restaurant nearby too. Going out to lunch alone wouldn't have been as much fun, so I passed them by to get out of Atlanta quickly. As I was driving home I heard the road I just took was completely backed up so I lucked out with that decision.
I picked up cones, stilts, clay and glaze materials. When I got home I asked Gary to help me unload the clay and he read out loud 'Loafers 6 to 10'. I said "What!" While I was loading the other boxes into my car the guy in the warehouse was loading the clay into the back of my car. My receipt said Cone 6 Little Loafers but I didn't get that. I got Cone 10 clay instead of Cone 6. Woe is me. Luckily there is someone who works at Daven's who routinely comes up to the mountains and hopefully we can make an exchange. Note to myself, when getting clay supplies, check your order before you leave.
For those of you not familiar with clay and glaze. Each clay and glaze can be fired (heated) to a certain temperature to maturity or to vitrify. Vitrification is the process where the spaces between the refractory particles are completely filled with glass, fusing the particles together, and making the clay body impervious to water. If I use cone 10 clay and only fire it to Cone 6 the clay body won't mature.
I dd get some speckled stoneware and some brown stoneware (Standard clay) in Cone 6 so at least I have something to work with in the meantime.
But not getting the white stoneware has put a cog in my mental making plans. I need to switch gears. Images taken from the net since it's too darn early to go down and take some photos. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
That's a head-banger for sure. I must admit I don't think it would occur to me to check the order as it was being loaded.
ReplyDeleteToes crossed that it all gets sorted quickly!
Hi Suzi, thanks, I never have checkit before either but i will from now on. ugh
DeleteToo bad about the mistake, especially since you spent 2 hours driving each way. Hope you can get this sorted out.
ReplyDeleteHi Gigi, thanks, yes I don't want to drive back down there especially since we are expecting freezing rain or snow. yikes
DeleteI've even found some clays that are designated cone 6 tend to weep when, say, a vase is filled with water. They were either underfired or the clay didn't vitrify for some reason...it's such a disappointment.
ReplyDeleteHi Barb, thanks oh yes if they aren't glazed on the inside they may weep for sure.
DeleteWhat a bummer. I know a few potters that fire to ^6 and use the ^6-^10 because they also occasionally wood fire and don't want to accidentally put ^6 in the wood kiln. You don't have to worry about that and you know how your glazes fit on the ^6 clay body. They should throw in an extra box of clay for the inconvenience... it was their mistake.
ReplyDeleteHi Michele, thanks, I did a few sculptures with cone 10 and fired to cone 6 but some of the glazes didn't fit or shivered so I don't want to use it, good idea for them to give me a free box. Ha. even though fuel is cheaper it still costs money and time to go get it
DeleteI’m one of those potters that uses Loafer’s Glory and fires mostly to ^6. When Highwater Clays first became available in Atlanta several of us tested both and found some cracking with Little Loafer’s that we did not get from Loafer’s Glory. The glazes I use fit the clay and I have water tested for vitrification with no problems. You might want to test a bag before you send it back.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori, thanks, the cone 10 I tried was in florida but it wasn't loafer's glory, I am hestitant to to test it because I am just now getting comfortable with this new clay compared to the Maccabee that I used in Florida. I'll see if they contact me and can make the change. right now I am firing between 5 and 6 so that might not be high enough for the loafers glory, good to know about the glory though since if I do make some sculptures for a wood firing or reduction firing one of these days I can use that clay
ReplyDeletedo you use it for raku too ? if so I'll keep a box of it then
I use Phoenix for raku and for functional wear. It’s resistance to thermal shock is great for the stress of cooking and raku.
DeleteThanks Linda, I am hanging in there.
ReplyDeleteHi Meredith, thanks, be god to yourself and Mark and your family
Deleteshould be good
DeleteSigh. Some days are like that. I hope it is sorted out quickly for you. And I like the idea of a freebie to make up for the inconvenience. If you have to drive down again DEFINITELY a freebie is called for.
ReplyDeleteHi Sue, thanks, well it seems the person didn't call me back as they had an emergency, ujgh
DeleteMy supplier is only about 50 minutes away. Still, I always pull around the side of the building to stop and check the order before I head home- I know how frustrated I'd be if they left something out. No mistakes so far.
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa, thanks, this is the first time this has ever happened to me. live and learn I guess
DeleteWow, you have to drive that far just to get the supplies. Must be really good ones. And must be a sacrifice not getting into that sushi bar. :)
ReplyDeleteHope you're enjoying your weekend!
Hi SuperLux, thanks, well the supplies are not that different from anywhere else but I live in the mountains and no matter which way I go it is quite a distance to get them. yes quite a sacrifice, but next time I'll make a day of it with dh.
ReplyDelete