Patience of the Potter

There are many aspects of pottery that teach the potter about patience.

First and most important is the forming of the pot whether on the wheel or by hand.  A steady rate of spin or a considered handling of the hand formed piece is crucial for a good outcome.

Next is the slow drying process - whatever the size or style trying to rush this process with almost always result in cracks.

The kiln firing also needs patience... again firing too high too quickly will result in cracks or even explosions...

Then there is the glazing process - each piece needs just the right amount of glaze then needs to dry and have its bases wiped clear of glaze residue so that it doesn't stick to the kiln shelf.

And we are not done yet!  Once the kiln has fired to temperature there is another wait while the kiln cools.  Again, rush this process and you are likely to have a poor glaze result or again cracks.

Even then the results are not guaranteed - this little jug looks pretty but drips when pouring so it won't be for sale.  I'll keep it for a while and try making a better one and then this one will be destroyed. 

I will once again be practising patience tomorrow as I wait for the kiln to cool from my latest glaze firing which took place today...

Have a lovely weekend

When a glaze goes well

I have used this glaze before but it is very dependent on the thickness of application to get that nice satin black.  It is called Copper Rust and in an electric kiln will go quite green if only lightly applied.  These platters are now available at a small local home decor store called Fred & Co.

Textured slab hand formed platters- stoneware  (2018)

Here is a link to their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Fred-Co

The weather has cooled down so its off to the studio for me to make a few more platters and some vases to be able to pack the kiln well.  All platters would mean the kiln would struggle to fire efficiently.

Another Cleanup then Back to making

We had a slightly cooler couple of days so I've given the studio another clean before starting back on the wheel... 

I recycle my clay so I wash the bags out and reuse them to store the next batch of clay.  The plastic containers are used over and over for cleaning, water for throwing and when decorating or glazing.

When it is too hot to pot

Summer is mostly very hot in Sydney and the last fews days have been close to 40 degrees Celcius or around 100 degrees Fahrenheit for those in other countries...

My studio faces west and so gets quite hot... not very appealing to me to make pottery...

So instead I have pulled out my jewellery making equipment..

I have one bracelet done and hope to make some more brooches and earrings too...

Hand formed porcelain jewellery components

previously made porcelain brooch and earrings

Successful Commission delivered

I was asked to make a double handled mug for a lady with severe arthritis.

As my father had bad arthritis I could sympathise and took the commission.

I made two (as you do just in case) and they were both successful and the person was happy to take them both which was lovely of her.

I delivered them today and she was very pleased with them which is a relief.

Doubled Handled Mug - stoneware white clay - clear liner blue outer (2018)

Double handled mug - stoneware blue glaze (2018)

A bit of a look back

And I mean way back...

 this vase was made when I was living in Papua New Guinea and first started on the pottery wheel.
There were no formal classes but some very encouraging potters who got me hooked on clay.

I might have a rummage and see if I can find my notebook from back then... it was a stoneware clay and fired in a gas kiln.  As for the glaze, it obviously had cobalt in it for the blue but I've no idea of the recipe.  I wonder if any of those people are still potting.

The flora here is mostly Australian - the fruit in the foreground is from a Weeping Lilly Pilly shrub, the violet are the native Viola hederacea which is one of my favourite plants.

The yellow is aptly called Yellow Buttons and there is an exotic Duranta repens  Geisha Girl which gets orange berries, at the back.

A nice indoor decoration to start the year now that the Christmas decorations have been boxed up and put away.

Welcome to 2018 - I hope its a good one for you.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

A big thank you to all my readers 

and supporters during 2017

May you all have a lovely Christmas and a Happy Healthy and Prosperous New Year

Off to Ireland without me

My large textured slab built box is winging its way to Ireland.  A gift for a family member.

It has a white inner glaze and a soft blue glaze outside.  The outer glaze was poured on - would have been better to have sprayed it on but without my own proper spray booth and windy weather this wasn't possible.

I am still pleased that it didn't warp or crack.

That went well

Our POP UP SHOP was in a vacant building that is due for renovation soon... It is part of a lovely heritage building where Port Hacking Potters hold their monthly meetings.

Entry to shop

We ran it for almost two weeks which is quite a commitment for a small group

hand formed candle holders

There were around 17 of us with our work on display - in this image mine are the blue vessels and the candle holders

Display of work includes my teapot set, green tree voitive and white vases

View from a different direction

All in all the event went well.

first time in a Pop Up Shop

my pottery group friends and I are having a go at a Pop Up Shop
come by and check it out if you can  details below