stretching

What's going on....  If you've been looking for me at the farmer's market my absence these past few weeks is due to not having enough ware to stretch out to two places at once.  I joined The Riverside Artists Gallery and my stuff has relocated there.  I plan to eventually be in both places.  This maybe isn't the greatest timing since after the fire that wiped out most of my pots I've spent more time in development- testing and refining old and new glazes, than I have in production.  However, I have thought about joining the Gallery for a long time and think that taking this step might give me a well needed push.  Meanwhile, here's a sampling of the latest:



 The silver is left behind by the textured paper I pressed onto the bowl and will burn out in the bisque firing. Later, I'll highlight the texture with a black wash.



 

 

 Texture, texture, texture. 

 

These are bisque firing drop frame plates.  I fired them nesting together like this with a little alumina hydrate sprinkled on the kiln shelf. I was concerned about warping, but so far so good.  I need to investigate plate stackers for the kiln.  Wonder if they would work for this shape, though.

 

 Some black engobe brushed on then wiped off. 

 

 Sometimes I get out of the basement.

 

   Miss Billy visits the work table.

squared

I've had these drop frames a few months now and am finally getting around to giving them a try-out.

I ordered the frames from Moss Beach Ceramics.  They may or may not have them in stock at this time.  I'm not sure where I first came across information about the frames but in searching to learn more I found this Lapella Pottery video to be very useful. There are three sizes of frames.  Above picture shows the smallest plate at left, and the middle size on the right is still drying in the frame.

 

This one is the largest.  Right now it measures 11 & 1/4 inches across.  I added handles because I don't envision this as a dinner plate.  Maybe after it shrinks in the firing I'll change my mind.  Right now it looks too big.  I am concerned about warping.  I used 1/4 inch slats when rolling out the slabs.  I hope that's thick enough.  I also purchased alumina hydrate to sprinkle on the kiln shelves to help deal with the shrinkage movement during the firings.

Here's our new neighbors.  Mom is parking junior beside our storage shed some mornings while she goes off to get some breakfast.  Junior is one of the most hyperactive fawns I've ever seen.  He has trouble remaining stationary while mom is away.