My plan to test some glazes before I glaze all the big pots is coming along slowly. So far I have seventeen leaves all glazed in different glazes, many with overlapping glazes.
On the back of each leaf in oxide pencil I've written a number which corresponds to the list I've written documenting which glazes I've used on each leaf. After the glaze firing the number will remain on the back and I'll be able to see which glazes I'd like to use. Once I photograph the glaze experiments I can still sell the leaves. The oxide numbers don't affect the usability of the leaves, although a purchaser might wonder what the numbers mean.
These are the pots waiting for my glaze experiments to be fired and logged. Once I have the testing completed I'll glaze these big and tall pots. I still have a few more experiments to complete today and a few other pots to glaze. I am hoping to fire the glaze experiments on Thursday. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
I think you should show what items could be placed on those leaves. Also, give the dimensions of each leaf.
ReplyDeleteHi Gigi, thanks, when I am at the shows I put a bar of soap and a spoon on several of the spoons to show they can be used. After I fire these I will give the final measurements, these have glaze on them and they may shrink slightly in the final firing.
DeleteGreat idea although I prefer to use vertical pieces for test tiles. I get more information about how the glaze moves on them.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori, thanks, yes that would be optimum but the base glazes I have already used and the top glazes I don't want to risk them flowing onto the shelf. When I apply them to the tall pots I'll taper down near the bottom. For the future when I have time I may make some of my vertical forms with a tray for flower pots to do more testing.
DeleteSince you brush on your glazes (I think) then the vertical test might not be as important for you...but I agree with Lori that seeing what gravity will do when a glaze is liquid is one of the tests that I want to do. If you test on tiles which have the overlap on just the top part, it won't mean any running onto shelves. I'll try to find a photo of the test tiles we use at Black Mountain studio.
ReplyDeleteHi Barb, thanks, yes I will do some vertical test tile but something that I can sell so I have a win win situation, eventually hopefully I'll put some test tiles in the studio just for display. Ha.
DeleteBefore moving to NC I put many years of test cups with numbers brushed on the bottoms, out for sale. They all sold quite quickly. I think it's a good idea to test glazes on small things that you can later sell. Even if you don't like, someone else will.
ReplyDeleteHi Michele, thanks, cups as tests sounds like a good idea may have to give it a whirl one of these days.
ReplyDeleteI am really looking foward to seeing the results.
ReplyDeleteHi Elephant's Child, thanks, the kiln is all loaded up, will fire tomorrow all day and then unload the next day.
ReplyDeleteBoy oh boy...you sure are keeping yourself busy there, Linda! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Lee, thanks, thankfully the season is coming to an end so I can rest up. Ha. Not. I have commissions and need to stock up for the holiday market, but then, then, I can hopefully rest.
ReplyDeleteThe buying public always surprises me. I do little test bowls to use for practice. When I started becoming over run with them I put them out for sale; They sold so quickly that I began asking what they were going to be used for. Some wanted them just for design, but others used them for everything from ring dishes to condiments for curry, butter servers....you name it.
ReplyDeleteRemember to show us your results, a step I forget way too often!
Hi Suzi, thanks, yes i will because I plan to sell these so I need the photos so I can refer to them later and if I loose my computer again I can refer back to my own blog, lol. It amazes me what the public likes too. I need to make some more pinch bowls, The last market I had a woman pick up one of my small ribbon vases and put it on a platter of the same color and said it was going to be a gravy boat. Gravy ? ok sounds good to me. It looked more like a chip and dip combo, which I now intend to make. ha.
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