Big disappointment, only one white rabbit made it through the firing. The other white rabbit had a hairline crack at the bottom seam and that was the rabbit I thought had the cutest face. The cat jar had a crack down the middle seam. As you can see the good news is the glaze I put over the underglaze on the rabbit allowed it to show up perfectly.
I now have three animal heads in the studio waiting for bodies. With regards to seams I seem to regressing instead of progressing. I may have to get that other clay I was working with in Florida, Macabee 5, which seemed to be far more forgiving. Stay tuned for more pots, had to go to the gallery yesterday so no time to take the photos. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
But, he's a lovely white rabbit.
ReplyDeleteHi Joanne, thanks, yes he is and he's ready to go to a new home.
Delete...he's so cute!!! I am sorry about the others and can understand you're frustration. One of those "dang" things...
ReplyDeleteHi Turquoisemoon, thanks, he turned out super, so glad about that, dang those dang things
DeleteHow frustrating that you lost two. Are you using Highwater clay? I am curious because I never had a problem with oval bakers cracking until I started using their clay.
ReplyDeleteThe underglaze looks great, he/she is a cutie. Just in time for Easter!
I smoothed out the seams with a rib and blended them in well and still the cracks, on the cat it might be because I pushed in for the feet after it was constructed but not sure about the rabbit. I'll post the photos to show what happened next
DeleteHi Michele, thanks, yes I am using little loafers and in Florida I used Macabee 5, WC 901 by Laguna which used to be an Axner clay I think. the little loafers is whiter than the Macabee but not as plastic I think. In California I used Bee Mix 5 and it is about the same as Little Loafers, I found Macabee to be the best for not cracking out of all of them. On the West Coast for cone 10 I used Windsor Porcelain which I loved, if you can get that try some of it; it's by Laguna. I tried their cone 10 half and half and didn't like it too much cracking, also Frost cone 5/6 has a lot of cracking issues.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda...he's certainly cute. I use Little Loafers and have for about 6 years now. I tried the Highwater P-5, which is a cone 6 porcelain type clay, and didn't like how it sometimes has bloating (blisters in the cone 6 firing, which may be from our kiln going too hot. I usually use the Little Loafers for wheel throwing, but some hand building. If you like stoneware look, Speckled Brownstone seems more forgiving for hand building.
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara, thanks, I have some of the brownstone but for the rabbits and some other work I do I want a white clay.
ReplyDeleteHe is gorgeous. How frustrating that he is, at the moment, a lonely white rabbit. I hope he breeds successfully (as only rabbits can) soon.
ReplyDeleteHi Sue, thanks, you are so right about the rabbits, I hope to make more.
Deleteah sorry about the losses but that makes this one extra special...
ReplyDeleteHi Anna, thanks, yes I am happy I got one, does make him special.
DeleteClay can be so incredibly frustrating some days - I ask myself why I can't I be a painter or chase some other artistic medium that doesn't add such variables as clay does. But…then again, it's so addicting! The surviving one is terribly cute though!
ReplyDeleteHi Cynthia, thanks, I have been thinking about some painting lately because the clay is so expensive to make, heavy to carry, and not as easy to sell. I have been working behind the scenes and hope to have another medium to help with income and more creative outlet.
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