Finishing up the kiln

We are putting the finishing touches on the train kiln. Last week we did a lot of work on the kiln. We finished the fire box, and the red brick around the outside of the kiln. We also kiln washed the inside, but one more layer will need to be put on. There was still some little things to do, like some welding, but it's getting very close to being ready. After we finished working on the kiln we did some clean up in the kiln area. Now all we need is some wood, I'm still working on getting some.

I'm going to have a lot more time to throw this week, so I'm excited to get working on my altered pieces.

progress

This week Brian showed us some techniques on how to create an object using only thrown. Our assignment is to create something that is mostly thrown. I'v been thinking about some half and half mugs, throwing two mugs cutting them in half and rejoining them to each other. I wouls also like make a nice three bowl plater for chips and dip. I'm still tryimg to think of some kind of sculptural piece to make. Last class Brian mentioned that oune of his professors use to throw mugs upside down, that really caught my attention so I tried it. Of course the hardest part about it was closing the top, but all in all I really enjoy it. Before I could start I had to make clay, so friday I made some. It takes a little bit longer to do by yourself, but the clay turned out great.

more plates and progress

The train kiln component is getting close to being finished we have a few more things to do, but we are getting close. We built the fire box and the chimney last week and it looks great. Im not sure if we are going to be able to work on the kiln this week do to the snow, but hopefully we can get it finished very soon.

I continued to throw plates last week and it's very enjoyable. however it seems to be the easiest element in the throwing component. The part of the plate process that is the most difficult is the drying. They can't be trimmed when they are to wet and/or to dry so you have to time it just right. I had a plate crack on me while I was trimming it. It was a little moist I should have let it set up longer. so I filled the crack and I'm going to experiment if the white slip.