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record of placement in the kiln.

updated wed 9 oct 02

 

Elizabeth Hewitt on tue 8 oct 02


This is simple and many of you may already be doing it but it took me so
long to discover that I'd like to pass it on in case anyone else is as
slow.

Since I began doing pottery, I have been sketching the pieces and their
position as they sit on the shelves ready to be fired in attempt to
become familiar with the kiln's personality and habits. Many are
scribbles on scraps of paper and not as useful as I'd like. Yesterday
when I was loading the kiln, it occurred to me that I could photograph
them on the kiln shelves with my digital camera before and right after
the firing.print them out on photo paper and store with the notes on
those pieces and their glazes. If the pictures are kept small enough,
they fit on one sheet and it doesn't cost a ton for photo paper.

What a difference...much faster and a very nice record of the pieces. I
photograph most of my pieces anyway, I don't know why this never
occurred to me but I'm glad it finally did.

A note on Ron and John's "Raspberry" Chrome Tin Pink. Fired faster and
with no soak or slow cooling, it is a beautiful glossy, slightly darker
color that is very close to the copper reds fired in reduction. A second
firing gives more of a depth to the glaze. This is a cone 6 oxidation.
It crazed on the porcelain pieces but has no crazing on the stoneware.at
least at this point.

Elizabeth