Kelvin Scott on sun 14 apr 96
Dear All:
I joined Clayart a few days ago and it is like a godsend as I am living on a
remote island without libraries etc. I have been working in such relative
isolation for the past year that the prospect of being able to communicate with
so many ceramics people seems like some kind of dream. While I have some
knowledge of ceramics, there are huge gaps. I have just ploughed ahead with my
work anyway but as this oppotunity to ask a few questions (I have hundreds) has
arisen, I shall.
There is a local red clay here, which I am assuming is earthenware. I have no
idea how to judge its quality, other than it tends to crack more than I remember
bought clay doing. On the advice of a local potter I have added in random
quantities, various combinations of: chopped straw, chaff, burnt sea shells, and
baking soda. I have very little idea how these are affecting the clay. If
anyone could offer me some guidance on how to approach, evaluate, and supplement
the clay I would be very grateful.
I recently completed building a wood kiln, which I have absolutely no prior
experience with. I intend to do a single firing. I note that there has been
some discussion of this in the past few days but I believe I have missed the
beginning of it. Is it very dangerous to the work? I am fine with glazing
greenware but in terms of what happens in the kiln. My resourses are limited
so a single firing would be ideal. Also, I am using primarily wood that washes
up on the beaches. Has anyone used drift wood? Another abundant resourse would
be dried cow dung, the locals tell be it burns fast and hot with a short flame.
There is also alot of dried seaweed about. Are these usable resourses?
I hope I have not broken too many rules of etiquette here by asking too many
questions in one note.
-Wendelin
Orkney Islands, Scotland
(a meteorologist's nightmare)
dannon@ns1.koyote.com on sun 14 apr 96
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Dear All:.
>
>I recently completed building a wood kiln, which I have absolutely no prior
>experience with. I intend to do a single firing. I note that there has been
>some discussion of this in the past few days but I believe I have missed the
>beginning of it. Is it very dangerous to the work? I am fine with glazing
>greenware but in terms of what happens in the kiln. My resourses are limited
>so a single firing would be ideal. Also, I am using primarily wood that washes
>up on the beaches. Has anyone used drift wood? Another abundant resourse
would
>be dried cow dung, the locals tell be it burns fast and hot with a short flame.
>There is also alot of dried seaweed about. Are these usable resourses?
>
>I hope I have not broken too many rules of etiquette here by asking too many
>questions in one note.
>
>-Wendelin
>Orkney Islands, Scotland
>(a meteorologist's nightmare)
>
I don't know whether cow dung will generate enough heat, I suspect not, but
it does burn fast and leaves little ash. You would need significant
quantities. Perhaps in combination with driftwood might at least help.
You will be introducing a lot of trace chemicals and a great deal of salt
into the kiln by using driftwood. Do you have any way to test the firing
temp. of your local clay? Is there a potter who would let you try some of
your various combinations in a firing, to see whether it has a very low
melting point? You need to know that before you make a lot of work and try
to fire it. You will undoubtedly get a lot of help/advice from the list.
You'll just need to sort through it for what you can use...and then try.
Sounds like you won't have a lot of distractions, anyway.
Dannon Rhudy
dannon@koyote.com
Karl David Knudson on sun 14 apr 96
On Sun, 14 Apr 1996, Kelvin Scott wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I am using primarily wood that washes
> up on the beaches. Has anyone used drift wood? Another abundant resourse wou
> be dried cow dung, the locals tell be it burns fast and hot with a short flame
> There is also alot of dried seaweed about. Are these usable resourses?
These are all very good resources although here at the U of OR they are
more popular as fuels and "colorants" for pit and saggar fires. Drift
wood and Dried seaweed contain a lot of salt as well as some other trace
stuff that's in the oceans. firing with driftwood would in effect
lightly to heavily salt your ware and kiln depending upon the salt
content of the wood. Cow dung is full of wonderfull stuff. Try it and
tell us what happens.
Karl in sunny Eugene (?!?)
Jack Troy on mon 15 apr 96
I believe that if I lived in Scotland and were firing a wood kiln for the
first time I'd call Robert Sanderson in Crieff, Perthshire, where he's
logged around 100 firings. His phone number from the U. S. is:
011 441 764 683273. (just eliminate the inappropriate numbers).
Also if you plan to fire with dung, you might re-think calling it a "wood kiln."
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