Big Kilns are hard to move to Texas

I spent the afternoon on the phone about how much it would cost to move my gas kiln to Texas.  It definitely isn't cheap but it's a lot cheaper than either buying or building new.  

First I'll need to find a studio space that will permit the kiln...otherwise I'll be selling it and I'll figure it out from there.

Like I said...the worrying has begun.

Teapots

I've made a few teapots, which is something I do rarely.  Even rarer is the fact that they're made with porcelain.  Here's a preview and may be the only shot of them if the handles decide to be picky.  They're sitting pretty under plastic and will be drying as slowly as I can to give them a fighting chance.  Since these pics were taken I've let the handles set up a bit and then thinned them out a bit more while they're on the pots.  

These will most likely also get some stains and then a clear glaze.  

Today will hopefully be spent making a few more pieces, throwing some test tiles and then getting ready to fire the electric kiln by the end of next week.  As always, some moving stress will be inserted throughout the day.  Today's dilemma is the large Bailey gas kiln.  How much will it cost to get a rigger here, crate it up and ship it freight down to Austin.  Or, do I sell it up here?  Then, once I figure out where my long term studio in Austin will be, build either a reduction or a soda kiln.  

Mug Pairs

I'm still cruising with the porcelain and a little over a week into it I'm beginning to enjoy the stuff.  

Instead of making mugs in sets of 6-8 at a time like I normally do, I decided to make them in pairs as I get used to porcelain again and try out different forms and different handles.  It's been a fun exercise and has also kept things light in the studio as I'm starting to wind down life as a maker on the Cape.  

I do have to say that I'm looking forward to decorating all of this pure white ware.  I'm planning on mixing up a clear glaze for an electric firing and decorating most of the work with some underglazes via Silvie Granatelli's site.  The recipe I've been using is for bone dry ware:

epk 100

frit 3134 100

stain 100

The mugs in the last image have a couple of coats of the underglaze stain on them, I used a sage green mason stain on them.  This is all new to me as I experiment with some more electric firings to prepare for our move. I'm trying to turn all of my raw clay into pots so I have work finished while I figure out my studio setup down in Austin.

The move, by the way, is starting to become extremely real and nerve-racking....we are moving on August 10th.  I've been busy getting estimates and figuring out what's coming, what's staying and what's going.  It's all very confusing. 

Thanks

Thanks to everyone who stopped by over the weekend and picked up some new and some old pots to take care of in their homes.  

I'll be open by appointment throughout the week.  Use the email on the contact us page at the website or just give us a call and either Evangelina or I will make sure to show you what's new.

Thanks Again!

Open

I'll be in the gallery today until mid-afternoon.

Open Studio is Saturday & Sunday, 10-3

A Glimpse...

Here are a couple shots of the gallery with different focal points.  

We're just about set up for the weekend and I have the door open today for a preview.  

Every year I forget how quickly the Cape changes.  The traffic had a noticeable uptick yesterday and it's great seeing people walk around town again...even better when they swing into the gallery.  

I'll be here today until mid-afternoon.

The real Open Studio begins tomorrow:

Saturday: 10-3

Sunday: 10-3

What Day is It?

Proofreading should include checking the date.  I got word from a few loyal customers that I put the wrong dates in the newsletter that I sent out this morning.  Whoops!

The Open Studio & Sale is Memorial Day Weekend.  That's this Saturday and Sunday, May 23rd & 24th.  We will be closed on Monday, May 25th.

I hope I didn't confuse too many people.  See you all this weekend.

Spring News at Kreeger Pottery

If you're already on our email list you should have received your Spring Newsletter from Kreeger Pottery.  If you didn't, you can click here to see it.

And if you'd like to sign up for our email list, click here to join.

Porcelain Progress

I've gotten through a little bit of porcelain.  I was hoping to have gotten more accomplished by now but it's been a little slow going with this stuff.  It almost feels like I'm working with clay...almost.  I'm starting to get used to it again so hopefully by the weekend I'll have enough together to bisque and then glaze up next week.  That could be another pottery pipe dream though...we'll see.

Here are some mugs...I'm trying out some new shapes.

One of those little 1 pounders got the fluting treatment.  We'll see if any others get attacked by any tools tonight.
Here are a couple of small vases.  I'm trying to work up the nerve to throw some vertical forms with this stuff....for now it's small or bowls.  

Could there be some teapots in the future.  I only have one left in the gallery so I thought I would experiment with a few here.  This may be all you see of them if they don't go as planned.

Well...more later.  It seems like it's been a slow day in potteryblogland....maybe people are working?  

Porcelain Time

Time to throw some porcelain. The whiteware wheel is cleaned and ready
to go. I'm hoping the earthenware particles aren't floating around the
studio to pollute the porcelain.

From the Collection

I haven't seen these in ages.  When we renovated our house about 4 years ago we moved into my parent's house and what didn't got to storage went with us.  I just dropped the kids off for a sleepover and found these pour bottles still hanging out.  

Why don't we play a game of name that potter? 

Going Big

We don't have too many guests tonight but perhaps I should figure out how to get this pan for a summer paella party.  

I wish things would look as good when I try to scale my work up a bit larger.

Image from the book Paella! by Penelope Casas

Buy the book and anything else paella related here.  
And, if you have an extra $1300, save a little slice for me.

Mmmm....Paella

I just started making the paella for tonight.  I'm using our large 18 inch paella pan which I thought made a lot...but I think these guys win that battle.  Plus, it looks like the guy across the pan is multitasking while on his phone.

Image here via Flickr.

Hey Abigail!

Appy Birthday!

photo from flickr, here

Glaze Recipes

As part of the next version of the website, I'm going to put up a technical page with the recipes I use in my studio.  The only problem is that like many other potters, this photo shows my glaze recipe filing system.  It is fairly similar to my office filing system....they both need a little work.

For all of the sharing going on with potters and the intertubes, it seems hard to find reliable recipes with a quick google search.  Everybody I know is always quick to share recipes when asked but not too many people have the info readily available.

Here are few potters who already have great tech pages up:

Kari Radasch

Sylvie Granatelli

Julia Galloway

Anybody know of others?

New Pots Online!

I'm still fighting with the internets and my webstore version 2.0.  

This beautiful bowl and other new pots are available on my current website here.  

I haven't uploaded everything yet but I'm working hard to get it done.  In the meantime, enjoy what's up there now.

UPDATE:

I forgot to mention earlier...FREE SHIPPING on everything from the webstore until June 1st!

Wish I Knew

I'm going to add this to the list of things I wish I knew:

I wish I knew that I would be receiving an email with Webstore 2.01 today.  

I have spent the greater part of yesterday and today uploading files, editing css and trying to figure out how it all works.  Now, I get to ftp new files up to the server and figure out how to do all of that all over again.  I guess this has just been a little practice run. 

Perhaps, along with my future apprentice I should hire an IT guy.

random image from betternetworker.com  

Behind the Scenes

I'm still trying to finish up photographing the new pots.  It's taking a little longer than I expected because I'm also trying to update my site.  I'm really close to getting the Webstore 2.0 up and running but if I can' get it done tonight I have a tech support call scheduled at 1pm tomorrow to get it all figured out.  

In the meantime I'm busy entering all of the new pots into the system so that when the store is a go, it should be a quick upload of all the new work.  I think I mentioned earlier that the new Webstore is going to have customer registration as well as wishlists.  It's got a lot of other great features that I'm excited to see put into action. 

As I struggle with the store I do keep thinking about how easy it was to set up my Etsy Shop.  Maybe I'm going about this the wrong way?  We'll see soon enough.

Squared Plate Samples

Here's another sample...these beauties will be on the website by the end of the day.

Dinnerware Sampling

Here are a couple of photos of a recent dinnerware order.  I'll be shooting some more images of the gas firing today and tonight and get them up to the website.  In the meantime, don't forget to check out my Etsy Store for the new earthenware.

Alive on Etsy

I've put most of my new earthenware on my new little webstore on Etsy.  I hope you'll take a look.

The Giant Jackalope of Austin

I forgot to post this picture from our Austin trip a few weeks ago.

A friend from the Skidmore ceramics studio lives in Austin and works at Blue Genie, the force behind this Jackalope.  The company can make just about anything with their 3-d scanner, computer software and router which can cut anything out of foam that the computer tells it to.  It was a pretty cool place for the kids....and us....to get to see.

Yawkey Way

The scene as Bruce and I head up to the seats.

Off to Fenway

Bruce and I are on our way up to Fenway to catch the Sox play Tampa Bay.

I'll check in from Boston if my iPhone and it's typos let me.

image from redsox.com

Before & After

The photo hasn't been color corrected so the celadon isn't all gray as it looks like here.  I'm very happy with the firing....lot's of ideas of where to go next.  Most of it has to do with porcelain and white stoneware.  I guess I better clean all of the red earthenware off of the wheels and tables.

Gas Kiln Preview

Since all of Michael's B&W pics have always looked so good I thought I would try it here.  It's completely appropriate since this cup is matte white with some nice dark coffee in it.  

I've finished unloading about 2/3's of the gas kiln and it looks really nice.  Some really good celadons and some other good experiments.  I'll take some photos tomorrow night and update the website over the weekend.  I was going to try to get that done today but unfortunately it's not going to happen.  So...new pots for sale on the site on Monday...I promise!  

I'll try to get a few more quick pictures up to the blog today but I've got a lot to do before Bruce and I head on up to Fenway.

One More....

I hope you have your sunglasses on...or at least can turn down the dimmer on your monitor.

This is the brighter blue that I envisioned....Man it's bright...and it's feels awfully strange to see it come from my studio.  I guess we'll see where this goes.

More familiar gas kiln pots tomorrow.

A Few Earthenware Pots

Here are a few samples from the electric firing.  I'm pretty happy overall with it although I did want the blue to really be blue.  It got a little washed out...I guess the underglaze was a little too thinned out.  I may play around a little more with low fire later this spring....we'll see...

The gas kiln is still cooling and I'm hoping to be able to unload tomorrow afternoon.  If it's not cool by 2 or so I'll have to wait until Saturday.  I'm off to a Fenway with my friend Bruce to catch the Sox play Tampa Bay tomorrow and we're heading up to Boston a little early.  It's been raining for about 2 weeks here so hopefully the weather holds out for us.  

Kid's Project

I unloaded the electric kiln a little while ago.  I started making earthenware a couple of weeks ago because I had told Ale's school that I would make them something for their fundraiser auction.  It's a good sized bowl and hopefully somebody wants a big bowl with little hands on it.  

I'll upload a few samples of the other earthenware pots shortly.

Moving Along

The gas kiln is starting to glow and the burners are on high.  

I had a fun little morning at Ale's pre-school glazing a big bowl.  I made two large earthenware bowls and brought in some bright commercial underglazes.  Each bowl now as handprints of each kid...one per classroom.  Some of the handprints look like hands and others look like blobs...I tried to warn them about moving their hands once it was on the pot.

I'm glazing up the earthenware after re-sieving and using some hot water to dissolve some crystals that formed in the glaze.  (Thanks Emily!)  I guess that happens if you don't use a glaze for almost an entire year.  

I should have the electric kiln loaded with glazed wares by dinner and then I'll have both kilns going this evening.  Finally!

I wish I was in Abilene...?

I'm not sure how close you are to Abilene but this will be worth checking out.  Don't forget to support your local potter.

The opening is coming up on Friday and you should check it out.  Google maps said it's about a 4 hour drive from Austin.  It's a bit too far from the Cape though.

Kiln Progress

In addition to seeing all that's going on this weekend I've been steadily glazing and am now about halfway done loading my gas kiln.  It's rare that I'm fully glazed before I start loading.  This time I am except for about 4 pieces that I'm not sure I want to put in....they'll go in if I need them though.

I forgot how much easier it is to have a full choice of pots to choose from for each spot in the kiln. This kiln is getting packed nice and tightly with very little wasted space.  Even though it felt like it took me forever to glaze I'm glad that I'm not looking at a shelf in the kiln and then trying to find a half dozen pieces to glaze for that specific spot....I guess I'm a slow learner.  Now...perhaps I should go make those cone pads....like I said, the kiln is about halfway stacked.  

They'll have a little time to dry though.  Because of my schedule I can't start firing tomorrow until mid-day.  Then, I'm planning on firing this kiln as quickly as possible.  My body can't handle all night kiln firing like it used to.  Hopefully the quick firing will yield as good results as Brandon over here.  

I Wish I Was in DC

Looks like there's a lot going on in the pottery world this weekend.  

My friends Mark Shapiro & Sam Taylor are having a Home Show in DC this weekend.  They both make beautiful pots over in the hills of Western Massachusetts.  Enjoy and when you go...tell them I sent you!

I Wish I Was in Austin

This is definitely worth checking out....

I guess I'll be in town for the show next year.  If Minnesota is too far north for you this weekend, go check out The Art of the Pot.  It's going to be chock full of my future neighbors and fellow Austin potters as well as some folks from abroad....including the Artstream Nomadic Gallery.  

PS

Blogger somehow Bloggered the image....sorry.

I Wish I Was in Philly...

I just had to borrow this picture from Naomi Cleary's blog, Melt My Heart.  Here's a quick peek at Julia Galloway's new show at The Clay Studio in Philly.

Looks like an amazing show.  If you're close or have time to make it to Philly definitely check it out.  We had some of Julia's work here a few times for a group show we used to host called "At Your Service" and I wish I had grabbed more than one mug while her work was here.  

Naomi...I hope it's okay that I borrowed the picture.  Thanks for the info!

Ready to glaze

Almost. The last 4 earthenware mugs are slipped and thinking of going
I to a bisque kiln later today. I guess we'll see how that smart idea
turns out.

Time to clean up and get back to high fire glazing.

Starting to finish...

Obviously, my phantom apprentice didn't get the entire list accomplished.  So now I'm stuck catching up this morning.  

I got a few things done over the weekend but much of it involved finishing up the earthenware so the reduction kiln is still waiting patiently for attention.  I'll finish loading up a bisque of earthenware today and firing it off either tonight or tomorrow.  I just put handles on a few mugs late last night and I'm trying to force dry everything.  I don't have a wood-stove in the studio anymore so I can't force things as Michael can. 

Another hour or so of finishing up with the low-fire stuff and then it's time to clean a table and get back to glazing for the big kiln.  I should be able to start loading that kiln later today...if the stars are aligned it may even get the door closed and pilots on...although that's more likely going to happen tomorrow.  

Perhaps I should go make those cones now....

List for Apprentice

It's going to be a busy few days...Can you please:

1-Wax all the pots that came out of the last bisque

2-Mix white glaze

3-Cycle another earthenware bisque

4-Scrape & wash gas kiln shelves as needed

5-Clear off the glaze table so I can glaze over the weekend

6-Once I have most work glazed we can get ready to load the gas kiln

7-Make cone pads

8-Please stop hovering as I'm loading the gas kiln...I promise I'll get your favorite pots in there

9-While I'm turning on the pilots please clean the glaze area

10-Put the clear glaze on all of the earthenware just as I showed you

11-Load the electric glaze firing....I'm not as picky here so it's all up to you

12-Turn on the electric kiln to fire overnight as the gas kiln climbs slowly

13-Start firing the gas kiln with the first turn-ups starting at 4am(don't worry.  I'll do this one)

14-Don't worry...the kiln will even out

15-As you worry about the un-even kiln clean up the studio to alleviate your stress

16-Shut down the kiln when we get to 9 1/2 on the bottom....don't let the top 11 get too soft

17-Get some rest since we have to clean the gallery and fill it up with the new pots

18-Don't forget to set up the photo equipment so that we can photograph the new work

19-Grind anything that needs grinding/sand anything that needs sanding

I'm sure there's more but most importantly, I don't have an apprentice.  I think that once I set up the studio in Austin I'll look for some part-time help.  I'm hoping that with UT nearby someone eager will show up.  I've never been too good with assistants before...I've always been a control freak but I'm ready to let go of about 15 or so of these steps.  

Unfortunately, I can't let go of them yet....it's going to be a busy upcoming week for me.  Now that the kids are older and have tons of weekend activities, I probably won't get a ton done this weekend....although if I had an apprentice I would probably be very productive first thing Monday morning.

PS

Perhaps with an assistant I won't have to put my cone pads in the oven for a half hour when I realize that I'm almost done stacking the kiln and need to make them.

A View of the Blue

Not sure if this batch of bowls will get the same treatment....

....but these are awfully blue.  We'll know more early next week.

State of Clay 2009

Yesterday, I got my piece back from the State of Clay exhibit in Lexington, MA.

They recently put the exhibit online and you can check it out here...

Still Making....

I'm plugging away in the studio today with some more earthenware.  I only have about 50 pounds of the red dirt left so I should be finished making pots today.  Perhaps I'll be able to get back to that reduction kiln-load that is 75% glazed and 0% loaded.  

I'll be back on track to start loading the gas kiln over the weekend and hopefully be firing by Tuesday.  I'll probably also load up an electric kiln with glazed ware as well next week so by the end of the week I should...should...have a good amount of new work up on the site.

Oh and by the way....the earthenware is probably going to be bright.  I'm a little afraid and also a little excited to see how it turns out.