Tag Archives: kiln

Is There Still Anyone Out There?

Posted on June 7, 2017 by | Comments Off on Is There Still Anyone Out There?
So I mostly use a tablet these days, but when I use the computer my blog pops up as a start up tab.  And I am reminded that I have not posted in WAY too long.  I have entered the Instagram world like so many other people.  That is so much easier.  Instant gratification, and I can post when I am in the middle of DOING.  That way there is no, "hmmm, I should post about this on my blog..."and then it never happens.

So look for me there as Anna Branner's Cloth n Clay (@wooliewoman)

Meanwhile I have been keeping busy.  I am still lacking in the motivation department.  Ever since my Dad died (wow, more then 2 years ago now) followed by Layla, my furry studio companion, it seems my energy is not as focused as it should be.  Still working on that.   Working in the garden helps...  I had two Spring shows and have another coming up this Saturday.  That is very busy for me!  And a good thing, since having a goal that needs to be met is definitely a motivator!

This Saturday is the Sophia Street Pottery Throwdown, Fredericksburg's first all pottery show.  We hope that this will be an annual thing.  Come see us Saturday, in front of Sophia Street Studios, from 10-5.  20 Virginia potters, most from our little talented town, but a few from away as well.

Meanwhile here is what I have been working on!






Potters call loading the kiln "tetris" like the game.  This is a glaze firing so nothing can touch!  My kiln is a top loader.  So you build the shelves from the bottom up as you load.













Hope I see some of you this Saturday!  And for all of you that are not local, I hope to load some pots into the ol' Etsy shop in the next week or two!

Peace!











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In Like a Lion….!?

Posted on March 14, 2014 by | Comments Off on In Like a Lion….!?
Lots of distractions still going on here in Fredericksburg.

But the sewer line is fixed.  (We hope.)  The city rescheduled FOUR times.



Greg's knee is very slowly healing.  (I promised him I wouldn't post any pictures of it this time.)  Another 3 weeks until he can start trying to walk on it.  But at least he has begun PT and his working leg has gotten stronger so he is getting about the house with his walker with more confidence. Which means more studio time for me!


So I loaded a bisque this week.


I absolutely love my hollow core shelves.  SO much lighter and easier to load then the solid ones.


Layer one.


Layer two.


It never fails.  I try to manage the space to allow for lots of pots and I always end up with a shelf right on the level of the thermal couple.  So I add height and my attempt to not have empty head room is but a dream.



You will notice I don't do a lot of stacking.  I don't like to put too much  pressure on the "tabs" on the yarn bowls.  And I also have issues with my images "ghosting" onto nearby pots.  Especially the black.  So I only stack some of the bowls with only interior designs.  And that means most of my glaze firings hold almost all the pots from the previous bisque.

Layer three.
(Notice my witness cones.  My kiln may be a computer but those cones are my protection!)


And the top.


And of course I continue to weave.  I have a new brown warp on my small loom and will keep working to produce towels for my upcoming show in April.


But the best news.  Despite mostly cold temperatures (today is 61 but tomorrow will once again be freezing...) I found evidence of Spring!  

Just a little longer....



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In Like a Lion….!?

Posted on March 14, 2014 by | Comments Off on In Like a Lion….!?
Lots of distractions still going on here in Fredericksburg.

But the sewer line is fixed.  (We hope.)  The city rescheduled FOUR times.



Greg's knee is very slowly healing.  (I promised him I wouldn't post any pictures of it this time.)  Another 3 weeks until he can start trying to walk on it.  But at least he has begun PT and his working leg has gotten stronger so he is getting about the house with his walker with more confidence. Which means more studio time for me!


So I loaded a bisque this week.


I absolutely love my hollow core shelves.  SO much lighter and easier to load then the solid ones.


Layer one.


Layer two.


It never fails.  I try to manage the space to allow for lots of pots and I always end up with a shelf right on the level of the thermal couple.  So I add height and my attempt to not have empty head room is but a dream.



You will notice I don't do a lot of stacking.  I don't like to put too much  pressure on the "tabs" on the yarn bowls.  And I also have issues with my images "ghosting" onto nearby pots.  Especially the black.  So I only stack some of the bowls with only interior designs.  And that means most of my glaze firings hold almost all the pots from the previous bisque.

Layer three.
(Notice my witness cones.  My kiln may be a computer but those cones are my protection!)


And the top.


And of course I continue to weave.  I have a new brown warp on my small loom and will keep working to produce towels for my upcoming show in April.


But the best news.  Despite mostly cold temperatures (today is 61 but tomorrow will once again be freezing...) I found evidence of Spring!  

Just a little longer....



Comments Off on In Like a Lion….!?

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