Off the Porch and Growling

The great experiment, I have to admit - I had trouble finding my pot in the kiln room. Apparently I've done red iron oxide for so long I go on auto-pilot mentally even when I know I'm looking for something else. I walked by my pot and probably even stared at it for 20 minutes before Jane was kind enough to "find" it for me.

 

This is one of the two french butter keepers I deemed acceptable for the next stage, glazing. I initially made three, but one didn't make the cut. These did however; after some evaluation and critique by me mostly and the few people I asked opinions of, there are some things I need to keep in mind when I do them again, and I will.

I used Miller 65 as is my wont to do, and measured carefully for width. (They actually fit rather well - both of them) Although the second one went in today, after seeing the first which was the base expiriment. Instead of red iron oxide I used a french green mason stain, and put it on just like I would have done for the red iron oxide, and then soda ashed it as per my usual process. For a liner I used Smoky Brown.

 

The picture on the right in the center is the butter keeper closed and right side up, this would be its position when not in use on the table. The picture at the beginning of this pararaph shows the butter keeper in its "serve" position. Just remember to drain the water out first before turning it over or you'll have a mess on your hands.

Just in case you don't know what a French Butter Keeper is; its an old world method of storing butter for use, keeping it cool to save it from going rancid and yet soft enough to spread immediately. I don't like hard butter (just fyi). To use it put about a 1/2 inch of water in the bottom of the bowl, pack the crock portion with a butter of your choice and store together. You'll need to change the water once a week, but if you use butter like I do you'll not have to worry about that so much.

 

I'm happy with this one, however for the second one I made the stain a little darker, more an ink consistancy as reccomended to me by Jane.

 

-Peace