Brandon “Fuzzy” Schwartz

More Pottery – Glaze Fire Results From 8-1-13

I last posted about some interesting results and glaze issues in a recent glaze fire. Here are the rest of the blog-worthy pieces from that glaze fire. These were fired to ^6, oxidation with a 15 minute hold at the peak temp. Wheel thrown with Amaco Warm Brown Stoneware.

: pletcher inspired tumblers

: rothshank inspired bowl

: side fired bottle

: small jar with lid

: small textured plates

: small vase

: tall lidded jars

: textured blue bottles

: blue bulb vase

: jar with lid

: large pie plate

: personal size berry bowls

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Now We’re Getting Somewhere

Glaze Experiments

I fired up the kiln a few days ago with a load full of experimental work. Most of it involved new glaze combinations involving Jen’s Juicy Fruit.

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Photos from the Last Kiln Load

I guess it’s about time to upload some pictures of pots from the last kiln load since the kiln is currently cooling with a fresh load of pots. All are Warm Brown Stoneware, wheel thrown and fired to cone 6 on June 23rd. The decal pots were put through the next bisque fire after the decals were applied.

: PBL Mugs

: Blue Drinking Vessels

: Cups with Decals

: Small Brown Cups

: Brown Crocks

: Splatter Platter

: Textured Brown Plate

: Tall Pots

: Jug with Lid

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Dick Lehman Pottery Sale

I had a chance to visit one of the finest potters in the area, possibly the world yesterday. Dick Lehman is having a pottery sale this weekend. Here’s what I came away with:

Dick Lehman Cup

I drove over to his place yesterday around mid-day. I arrived just as it started raining, of course. They had some extra umbrellas available but I would have stood in the rain. There was another couple there when I arrived but after they left it was just Mr. Lehman and I. And it was fantastic. He explained how he made almost every piece that I looked at. He answered my questions. He showed me one of his photo books. He even offered to contact me for the next wood firing to see if I would help. And the whole time he had the excitement of a guy just pulling his first fantastic pot out of the kiln.

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Working with Decals

I’ve had a chance to try some more decals recently. This time on real pots, not just test tiles. I really like how they look on the Bone White from Mastering Cone 6 Glazes. Even though the Bone White is a little too yellow after a glaze fire with a normal cool down I really like how it looks after going through an extra bisque fire required to fire the decals onto the piece. It becomes less glossy and brighter white. It reminds me a little bit of old paper.

Father’s Day Gifts

These were a big hit during the Father’s Day festivities. I used black and white photos of Q and printed them off on decal paper. They came out pretty well. There is enough detail in the midtones to tell what the subject is but there are a few rough spots. Maybe if the glaze was more glossy the images would be a little smoother? It actually adds to the old paper look.

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