Off the Porch and Growling

Also today the Animal pot was returned from the fire. I separated this one from the previous post because I want to re-visit the whole "What animal is it" thing.

This all began back in September ... I decided to make a ritualistic pot with animal heads as handles for someone as a gift. Unfortunately for me, probably because I made the "pig pot" first everyone seems to think the heads are pigs, or cows, or some other animal.

Here is a close up of the head bisque'd and on the other side is the glazed and fired head. I don't see pig, cow or anything else here; I've even heard "it's the ears" what about them? They are pointed. Pointed ... none of the animals mentioned have pointed ears.



I used my typical treatment, red iron oxide, soda ash and a liner glaze. I also added a little copper carbonate for effect.

Today I received various and sundry kiln gifts thanks to the Goddess of the Kiln. It is always nice, and quite a bit like Yule (Christmas if you prefer) ... you think you know what your getting. I mean you hope you know, and like Yule sometimes you're right -- you get exactly what you thought you were gonna get, sometimes you get something you don't like (rarely) and sometimes if times are hard you get nothing. Then there are those days you get wonderful, unique surprises.

I was not unhappy with anything that came out of the kiln today, the red iron oxide held well - sometimes if I am in a hurry, or I do not take my time the technique I use can present a few issues, it tends to blur and does not delineate. The copper carbonate, and mason stains performed as expected and added nice touches, and finally I got wonderful soda-ash shine.

So the honey pots go out this next week, along with an apology letter. Shoulda had them done ages ago, alas it didn't work out that way.

Let the viewing begin;

First here is the "Bud Vase" as I alluded to I used red iron oxide, over Miller 65 which has been slipped with a white slip. Notice the difference? It's got a whiter base and the red iron oxide is a bit towards the Sienna color maybe Burnt Umber if I remember my crayola colors from childhood. The internal glaze is Antique Blue. A french green mason stain was daubed along the curve for interest and I think works well.

Next, the "Honey Pots" Ah, yes honey - golden nectar, bee vomit ... lol, great stuff, sweetens everything, is anaerobic and works wonderfully well for making mead (honey wine). Again red iron oxide base, a little copper carbonate for effect, and Antique Blue as a liner. It's taken me several of these to finally get them accomplished, it is my sincere hope they are worth the wait.

Moving on -- the next is a vase, it should have been a pitcher. However; like a dunder-head I let it get too dry and thus could not put a handle on it, nor a proper spout. In the end it decided to become a vase, so vase it is. Same treatment as above; red iron oxide and soda-ash external. A little french green and viola, go to go.

Ah, the "Teapot" made during the workshop with Kevin Crowe. I am really, really very happy with this. As you can see I also slipped this pot, much like the bud vase. Great effect, I used the standard red iron oxide and soda ash treatment, but I also did both copper carb and french green giving this an aged appearance. The lid stays on well for pouring although at a complete ninety degrees you'll need to keep a hold of it. Additionally it pours a little fast, I made the holes too large - drat. Otherwise only a very small dribble. I like it.

Finally the "Bowl", this was an experiment in adding interest to a pot by adding rings to the base. I - honestly I am not sure I like the effect. It has grown on my some, but ... it is probably not something I will do like this again. Otherwise it received the same treatment as the pots above.

In the next installment we'll revisit the "Animal Pot"