Testing out Ms. B

We are still working on the ends and outs and all abouts of the small gas kiln, Ms. B
She has her moments and produces some decent pots in and around the kiln. In fact there are more good ones than bad ones.
The questions is, "what is a bad pot?'
The very bottom shelf just does not reach the same temperature as the rest of the kiln. Mark is able to get a good 10 at the top, but no more then an 8 at the bottom. With that in mind we went for some test in the bottom of the kiln just to see how that would do.

This test was a cone 10 glaze with a six used together to see how the two would work. There are properties that I like about this and possibilities to work through. We plan to do some research into cone 8 glazes to see what we can come up with.

On the top of the kiln we had some of the new vases that I have been carving. These are in B-mix, a nice white stoneware. I see possibilities to explore with these as well. They still look like some really fancy drinking vessels and I guess that would be alright too. I do like the way Mark has cut the feet on these.

Just more things to expore all the time.

On the teaching front.
I had my last day for the summer session on Monday. Kilns fired, unloaded, students picking up work, clean up and paperwork.
I have been asked to stay while they are hiring the new instructor. I said yes. I'm looking forward to continuing with the students from the summer session, along with the new students that will be enrolling.  
I have some time off before I go back for the fall and the routine of being here, catching up, seeing family and working on my own pots will be a priority.

There are more pictures coming from Ms. B, we'll let you be the judge on results.

Testing 1,2,3.....

Before I go hog wild on the back splash I have one round of test to finish up.
Lee and I went over the glazes for the back splash and there are a few I have recently added that we both like.
Now to move them from a 2 inch tile to bigger.
You know how this is -you make a test love it and then throw it on EVERYTHING- only to have it come out of the kiln ... and you look and go- OMG what is that?
Ouch- too bright, too loud too PINK- whatever.
So I wanted to put some combinations of different glazes on larger test to see how they all came together.

I will fire this either tomorrow after Lee comes back and brings some of her work to help me finish loading the top of the kiln.
Or Saturday  just depends on when she gets here.

I have high hope that it will all work.

I added in some pillow pots to help fill the kiln.
I like the new combination of the burgundy-red with the reddish-brown background.

Then again- it is glaze and who knows what will really happen.

Gosh did someone say it is time to put feet up and have a glass of wine.
Sorry- gotta go!
Cheers!
M