Expectations often don't match reality. . .

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Hope Mother's Day was a good day for you, whatever your circumstances.
A little bit of everything here weatherwise:  sunshine, heavy rain, sleet; light showers, sun again! 
 
 Part I...Things don't always work out as we expect they will when it comes to pottery:

1.  I refired mugs made for Don after adding LOTS of white snow on the spruce boughs. He wants "very wintery" looking mugs like his favorite one made several years ago. Well, apparently the white glaze doesn't have quite the punch it once had, and the blue has changed, too. Below is Don's favorite mug, followed by those I recently fired with an extra snow load...but they will not likely measure up to the "very wintery" look desired. It may be time to start over with new mugs and some different white glaze. Sorry, Don.  I'll get closer, eventually, but come take a look at how these look now. You may like the coloration change that happened in the refire. Thanks for your patience.

Less wintery...with subdued snow.

 2.  There are many ways to add text to pottery. This one did not work out well for me.  I added text by carving letters into a red iron oxide background. The red iron oxide burned out in the firing, so the carved letters no longer show. It became white on white, which translates to no visible lettering. One of the pieces had a John Muir quotation, another an Alfred Tennyson quotation. Either a stronger concentration of the red iron oxide is needed, or a different background all together.  Underglaze, perhaps. Here is a piece before its final firing...and then after its final firing. Time to experiment more with text on pottery since I like the idea of incorporating it into the pieces. 
Guess  the lettering is still there,  just invisible! 


Before the final firing...red iron oxide background for text

After final firing...the red iron oxide burned out...so no text is seen.

The best way to learn what works well and what does not is to try it. There is so much learning that happens in each firing, and that's a part of what makes this such a fun hobby.  Sometimes what I expect does happen, but often the result is less than I had hoped for, sometimes more!  Yes, I do keep a log of every firing and what it teaches me. 

What people like is another HUGE variable.  Take a mug for example:
What volume? 
Shape?
Weight?
Thickness of lip?
Balance when holding?
Glaze coloring/ contrasts?
Surface design?
Foot?
Stackable?
Microwave and dishwasher safe?
Then there's the handle!!  size, shape, thickness, opening, attachment, thumb rest,  etc.
Will it be something you enjoy holding and using every day?

You name it and people have personal preferences to consider! 

 More images will be added soon, but here are some from the first of two glaze firings last week. 
Get in touch if you'd like to visit the studio to see pieces in person.

Coasters amd little bowls

Casserole dish
 

Even a small piece can offer some nice surprises.

A lid on a cylinder, can also add interest.

This glaze combo is much nicer than the photo shows.

These are lidded bowls for floral displays ... or mosquito coil holders.

Sponge holders of various shapes and sizes
(Oops...those conversing ducks are on the window sill behind the holders.)

A 14" platter in rich wood-grain texture.

Various trays in  lighter wood-grain  texture.

Thanks for looking over Part I of the post. 
Here's Part II.....mostly images of second kiln items:

I could see storm clouds in the distance, but chanced taking photos on the deck.






















At this point, I moved indoors for the final two photos...
and the downpour began outdoors.


Y

If you see something you are interested in knowing more about,
do get in touch.  Yes, located in Willow.  
~ Carol
willowakpottery@gmail.com



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