Kiln Opening

Sunday Morning-October 26, 2014

Made In Mud-Decorative Ceramics

Marcia Koski Finnerty

Arlington, Virginia USA

 

This is Firing #63:

A slow glaze firing to cone 5.

Well it has been a while, since I had enough art to fill up and fire this 10 Cubic Foot L&L programmable big boy!  

Here is a view of my kiln shed.  It is located outside, at the top of the steps, from my walk out, basement, studio. Very convenient as long as I don’t get a big snow storm and have to shovel out the stairwell before I hump all the green ware  and bisque up the steps.  I’m getting old!!!

As you can see the lid is closed.  I have not yet opened the kiln. I did not even take a quick peek!   Wanted to share the:  Excitement? Disappointment?  Frustration? Sadness? Glee? with all of you exactly as it happens. I let it cool to ambient temperature naturally. (around 70 degrees )

Absolutely beautiful fall day!  I did not use the down draft vent during firing as it is broken.  Does not seem to matter if I use it or not.  So being lazy and cheap….. I didn’t fix it.

  

First Look! 

SWEEEEET!

OOOOOOO! 

Mama Likey!!!!  

No explosions! No Glaze Runs

All Intact!  Colors look perfect! I’m really liking what I see!!!

I did LOADS of glaze and under glaze tests before I got to this point!!!

This is the top level and there are three more below.

These are textured slab plates which were placed over slump molds and have little feet rather than a foot ring.

Yes I did overhang the plates over the lower level.

Deep Breath! Remove and check the bottoms of each plate for cracks, and flaws. 

Close up of top level.  Unload to basement studio and remove kiln shelves.

Before I go to the next level below….. lets take a look at the  pyrometric cones.

Had a great firing.  This is Firing #63.

A slow glaze to cone 5.  No hold and no preheat. No forced venting.

Yes the cones were removed from the kiln for this photo, but this is what I see thru the peep hole during the final few moments and make sure kiln turns off.  Which it did. And Yes I keep detailed records of each and every firing in a notebook.  I use a “ ramp” method of firing.  I like a visual record and graphs to see rate of heating and temperature climbs. This helps me trouble shoot any heating/element problems before they get critical.

By the way I NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, fire the kiln without a cone pack and always stay close by when the end of the firing is near.  So even if it is 2 AM, and 15 degrees below zero….. I am there to check the cones and turn off the kiln in case the automatic shut-off fails!!!!  Which has occurred but once!

I don’t want to burn the house down!!! 

So crossing fingers that the next level reveals equally nice results…….  

Here is the second level and the bottom partially unloaded.  Still looking good!  Hmmm some of the Xmas ornaments came out a bit darker than anticipated.  Colors look good on the plate???  I used the same under glazes on the ornaments as on the plate. Perhaps the lighting?? So far so good!! 

 

On to the next level below…..

The third Level:  Still looking good.  Colors rich and nothing exploded or runny.  I’m happy! The bowl is looking good and shades of blue and green as anticipated.  Tried making some ugly gnome Xmas ornaments.  I love a creepy gnome.  Not your traditional Xmas ornaments.  Can’t explain it.  Just playing in the mud and having fun.  Yes this bowl overhangs the kiln shelf over the bottom level items.  I made sure the glaze underneath , on the bottom of the bowl would NOT potentially drip onto the items below!!!!  Because I know this glaze well I was certain it was safe to overhang.  Otherwise I would not pack the kiln in this manner.  Experience!  Knowledge! The foot was entirely supported on the shelf.  Just so’s ya know.

And finally, the Last level.

The Right side is the Bottom totally unloaded and left side is the last bowl and some ornaments. 

Oh Dang!!!! 

This bowl has a big crack in the side where the fold occurs. (Around 11 O'clock).  This was an experimental piece.  I was trying to see how thin a slab I could make and then drape it over a slump mold.  Guess I got my answer!!!!  Well…… lesson learned is that for this method  the slab needs to be a little thicker. The crack did not show up in the bisque firing.  Absolutely no hint of a crack in the bisque piece.  Go figure????  Ornaments look OK.  These photos also help me understand what might be going on in the kiln and locating potential hot or cold spots. 

Next job is to clean and vacuum the kiln and do some clean up on all the kiln shelves.

Love to hear from you!!!   

Questions/comments send me a line. 

Fondest Regards, Marcia