tony clennell on sun 23 may 10
Mel: Life has been a blurrrrrrrrrrrrr around here for the past month
with workshops oceans apart. I did however manage to read your book on
flights and in airports. First let me offer congratulations for a fine
effort. I hope you are not too late for the party with this book. You
seem to have a knack for picking subject areas with small markets-
temmoku and build your own kiln!
There are several articles in the book that make it worth the price of
admission. Some of our Clayarters offered what I would expect from
them- very thorough articles.
Ted Neal on the train kiln- couldn't be better. Vince Pitelka on the
soda kiln- makes me want to have one, David Hendley Fastfire
-excellent, Bill S on shelves- some fine stuff, and Tim and Diana and
on and on.
I also found Donovan's method of building the anagama a great read-
again made me want to build one, and the Abernathy flue blew my mind-
very interesting. I know you have described it before but I had to see
it in picture form.
There were some "atta boy" articles that could have been edited out. I
built one and you can too kinda stuff. I know when you ask friends to
offer up their articles it is hard to say thanks but no thanks. I also
think there ought to have been an article or two on veggie oil kilns.
Being the selfish guy I am I was hoping there would be as I am
considering building one.
For anyone thinking of building their own kiln this book is a must
have. Take one of the plans and build that kiln. Too many people have
bought kiln books and sat down to design a kiln that doesn't work. My
advice is build one of these kilns and go to your studio and make nice
pots to be fired in a kiln with a track record.
Well done, Mel. I also love how it was Mel and friends. You can't go
wrong when you surround yourself with smart friends.
All the best,
Tony
P.S The access to 21st Century Kilns website is also a bonus.
--
http://sourcherrypottery.com
http://smokieclennell.blogspot.com
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