Christmas Eve Firing

Yesterday lightening was predicted so I couldn't fire. Today the storm passed by quickly so I decided to load up. As I was glazing the horse sculpture I noticed I had indeed left several holes for air to escape. So I filled them temporarily with broken off toothpicks and glazed away. The glaze color was almost the same color as the horse so I had to look close not to miss a spot. One of these days Ill get some food coloring and use it in the glaze to make it easier on my eyes. Have you tried that?

All loaded and firing now. Not really a completely full load but I just couldn't finish glazing all those tedious buttons. Next time. Happy holidays to you and yours. The little horse is hoping to greet you on Christmas day. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

Little Pretties Waiting to be Glazed

Little pretties waiting to be glazed. Some are flower pots, hanging vases (those with handles), window sill vases, and business card holders. I worked all afternoon yesterday and now all the small pots are glazed and the large bowl.

The large platters get a clear so those will go quickly. I still have the horse to glaze and can't think of how to glaze him. Maybe I'll hold him out and see how the small pots turn out in this load and then glaze him. I have some gold luster and have never tried it, maybe he deserves some of that. But firing a whole kiln for one horse with gold. Hum. Maybe I better stock pile some sculptures to add gold to. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

Cheese Board and Bisque Firing

Being a cheese aficionado (why did I think it's spelled with an o for the first letter) and having been inspired by Michele's cheese stones some time ago, I decided to make a cheese board to test more of my fritted stains. The board is about eleven by nine inches. Of course that's before firing and it will shrink. After final firing I plan to attach rubber bumpers on the reverse and a leather cord to hang the cheese board. As I was making the cheese board I was thinking of making a ceramic cheese knife. 

Meanwhile I have a bisque load firing. On the top shelf is that large bowl I made recently. I finally remembered to load the horse sculpture I made a while ago. As I placed the horse on the shelf I was hoping the holes I made would be enough to keep it from blowing up. It's been so long since I made it I can't remember exactly what I did.

As I was loading the kiln disappoint struck. I dropped almost a full tray of buttons which I had rested on the edge of the kiln while I placed each one on a kiln shelf. A few buttons made it without breaking so at least I'll be able to see if the holes are large enough to thread through as buttons. Every firing is a gamble, a risk, a hope, and a prayer,  After paying our house taxes this week, our microwave broke and isn't fixable. That must be our lump of coal for the holiday. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

Bisque Complete, Time To Glaze

The bisque is complete. Today I'll be glazing. I keep forgetting to put my horse sculpture in the kiln and I even had room. I had it on a separate shelf out of the way so it didn't get bumped. Darn. Tomorrow I'm working at ArtWorks. No rest in sight for this week.

I think Barney has cat flu which lasts 7 to 10 days and is very contagious to other cats. Poor Barney. He's drinking a lot of water and eating a small amount of food and sleeping the rest of the time. I hope my other two cats don't get it. Ugh. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.