Studio Saturday

It's been a slow week in the ceramics studio. Record-keeping is up to date, and the cubby holes continue to give pleasure, but nothing new has been dipped. 

Three pots came out of the kiln - it was a bisque firing, experimental, and turned out to be a definite indication that it's better to "go for the jugular" with just one proper firing.

This one was formed around some tightly-woven silk, which kept the clay as  two separate layers, and the silk wasn't burnt away -

 Another similar pot is waiting for the next firing to top temperature, to see if the same thing happens or if it survives intact.

Two others kept their shape but are dull and the metal thread looks rusty! Never mind, they'll get another chance -

A couple of train journeys got me started on crocheting two series of small pots (chunky red linen and white glossy sewing cotton), to be dipped in different consistencies of slip, and also some simple organza pots for the same experiment -

The soft knitting cotton and many-stranded, very chunky linen, not to mention the bobbles, give these even more texture -

The rate-limiting factor seems to be the size of the kiln - it's so big that it takes a while to fill, even though the others make large work. There's plenty of room for my little pieces, but I don't want to "risk" everything at once, and have been holding back from dipping a couple of dozen pots that are all but ready. First I'd like to get the consistency of the slip right, which will take some experimentation. It does seem that an additional, small kiln would be a Very Good Thing ... research is afoot ...

One day I'd like to fire, or maybe even glaze, the sheep's head made in the swap-over session at West Dean, which keeps me company at the computer while it dries out -