Sunday, April 12, 2009

Kiln Opening and Homegrown Meats.

As I write this the weather outside today is one of the best ones we have had this spring- the birds are singing and busy building their nest. The flowers and trees are just scrumptious! The wind has died down for the day and Mark was up at at 4 am to light the kiln. The wind is not our friend when it comes to firing the kiln. The fact we fire gas/reduction has a lot to do with how the glazes work.
From the websiteabout.com:
Reduction (adjective) refers to a kiln atmosphere which does not have enough oxygen in it to completely consume the fuel as it burns. Due to this deficiency, the flame pulls oxygen molecules out of the clay bodies and glazes, changing their character. Reduction can be also be used to describe clay bodies and glazes that are especially developed for reducing atmospheres.

Reduction (noun) refers to the state of being oxygen-starved. It can also be used to replace the full term, "reduction atmosphere".

So as you can see, or read, we need the wind to be calm while we are firing the kiln. Otherwise it messes with the ratio of oxygen in the kiln.

This coming week-end on Saturday April the 18Th and Sunday the 19Th. We are joining with about 40 other potters from the greater Seagrove area to have a kiln opening.
Joining us here at Whynot Pottery on Saturday from 10 until 2 pm will be Bill and Dianna Osmolski from Green acres ranch.
The Osmolski’s will be bringing their grass fed beef and pork, along with eggs from their free range chickens.
We have been buying beef and pork from them the past year and a half.
We have enjoyed all their products from the beef to the pork and the eggs.
So, come and see what is new out of the kiln and bring your cooler along and plan to take home some locally raised meat, eggs and a pot or two.

On Saturday afternoon the NCPC will have its annual auction.
This year for the first time ever the NCPC Auction Committee used the theme of having pots donated with faces on them. “Faces for the NCPC.”
I have seen chickens, Face jugs, platters, mugs and much more.
The exhibition of the auction pots are on display now, and will be up through Saturday. The NCPC takes absentee bids- so if you can not be there in person you can still buy a piece of your choosing.
Seagrove will be hopping during the week-end; the wood kiln firing from two week ends ago will be unloaded, with pots being donated to the auction as well. Manyof the local potters will be opening kilns and serving refreshments.
Start your day out at the arae shops, being sure to stop and see us, and end Saturday at the NCPC auction.
For more information on open shops and their events visit the Celebration web site.
For more information on the North Carolina Pottery Center Auction visit their web site

2 comments:

Shortstuff said...

Hey, Great to see you. Sounds like you have another busy weekend coming up. Wish I could come down again. Remember to look for those old gray Jugtown Plates for the auction. If you haven't taken them to the NCPC yet, please do. Good luck with the gardens. I plan on having some tomatoes when I come back this summer. hugs, Les

Jay said...

Infobit from F.H. Norton, Ceramics for the Artist Potter (1956): "In an electric kiln, the atmosphere is close to normal, that is, 23.3% oxygen and 76.8% nitrogen by weight. A gas-fired or oil-fired kiln may have an atmosphere containing 88% nitrogen, 6% carbon dioxide, and 6% oxygen by weight. Both of these conditions are known as "oxidizing fires." [A] "reduction" atmosphere is deficient in oxygen and . . . contains something like 88% nitrogen, 10% carbon dioxide, and 2% carbon monoxide."