Recent Kiln Firing

I've been hoarding photos of the pottery from a recent kiln firing! I had the opportunity to fire a kiln with Anne Pärtna from Blue Hen Pottery at Dwight Holland's house. Not only was it a fun chance to help fire a gas salt kiln again, but it was a wonderful opportunity to get to meet and talk with Dwight Holland. Anne (graciously) loaded the kiln on the Friday before last:

Photo of the kiln interior after loading. Photo by Anne

The firing was on Sunday, I arrived in the afternoon to keep company while kiln-sitting, and to help salt.

Anne checking the cones

I also had the pleasure of meeting Thor, Dwight's great dane. Thor's playtoys were five-gallon buckets!

Thor playing with a five-gallon bucket

We salted around dusk, which brought back memories of chucking burritos of salt and dumping angle irons of salt into the gas kiln at Berea. The salt port on this kiln, however, was on top, which I liked very much. Most of the older kilns I saw while in Germany were salted from the top, which I think it is a very good design for getting a good coating on everything.

Anne salting

The kiln was opened up last Wednesday and the results were good.

Interior of the kiln after firing. Photo by Anne

I didn't have that many pieces in the kiln, just some tests of forms and clay bodies. The rope handle pitchers and small jars I made a while ago turned out well. I am glad that I recently made larger teapots though because the final teapots I made previously are much smaller than what I think should go with a tea set (something I'm working on). And the ring vases turned out well too, so I definitely think I will make some more soon. Here are some photos of the results:

Two mugs. The glass melted very nicely and flowed through the faceting splendidly.

The glass also blushed with some reds, which was new to me! Whether it was off-gasing from a glaze, or just the atmostphere of a gas fired kiln, I don't know! Ah, the wonders of making pottery!

Small lidded jar. This lid turned out pretty well. Some of the lids ended up standing above the rim, which only means I need to work on lids more!

Interior of lidded jar with lid on the side

Rope handled pitcher

Top of pitcher (the lighting looks good to me too!)

The twists stayed in tact and picked up the salt nicely. Feels good too.

Another pitcher top

Ring vase

Top of ring vase