Follow up on studio glaze results

Barbara wrote to say that the fish had New Blue and Jade on them (and not running). Jo Ann also responded that she had put Gloria's on the "blister bowl" thin. That's a puzzle. Hopefully, we can do some testing and glaze making next week.

The day after

Hope everyone made it through the latest storm in good shape. Aside from being down a long driveway full of snow, we made out fine...didn't even lost power this time.

Since I had some time, I thought I would share a couple of photos of some glaze combinations I like. The glazes are ones we have in the studio. The pictures are not that great since I couldn't get out to my usual photo set up, but you can see the colors OK.

First dipped in Jade, allowed to dry, then overdipped in BTBT. Notice the BTBT has a tendency to run, but not too much. I wouldn't take the overdip near the bottom, but the bottom third could be painted on if you wanted a uniform bluish color.

 

 The plate was first dipped in Nutmeg half way, then dipped in Byrne. You can see the area in the middle where the two overlapped.

If you have any pictures of pieces with good results, please send them along ,and we'll post them for everyone to view.

Studio expansion underway!

If you have been in the studio lately you will have noticed that construction of the throwing area is progressing. The student cubbies (storage units), wall storage units and workbenches for the wheels are completed,  Next the cubbies will be bolted together and attached to the wall and power provided to the wheels. We also have a clay mixer provided by Bill van Gilder to be wired in the future. Here are some pictures of the guys at work .Peter and Bruce are also working on the project, but weren't there for the photo op.

 

Gary, Wes and Jeff working for posterity (or is it posteriority?)

Gary and Jeff doing cubbie work

 

Now the wall units

Work benches for the wheels

Cubbie units ready for attachment

Glazing results

A recent glaze firing resulted in some interesting and disappointing outcomes. This post will focus on the disappointing since you need to know about some of the glazes before doing your next glazing. If you are aware of whose pieces these are, please let me know so we can document the glazes and processes they used.

This cup may have had Gloria's overdipped with BTBT or Milky Blue. The bottom glaze ran and stuck.

 

These 3 photos are of the same bowl. Again it looks like Gloria's was used. Besides running it also blistered in the bottom. It could be both pieces with Gloria's used a thick application. Or, it could be that this batch of Gloria's is defective.

 

Another example of Gloria's running. Again thickness may be the problem.

 

Would like to know the combinations on  these. None ran and the top left and bottom right are interesting. The latter is particularly so because it looks like Nutmeg and Gloria's with no running. 

  

Milky Blue on tail, Jade on head?

 

New Blue on tail, Jade on head?

New Year - New Possibilities

Happy New Year!

RAL Open Studio has new hours and days.
Open Studio hours will now be on Tues. and Thurs. from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

A studio monitor will be available to assist members.

Click on this link to access the RAL Studio calendar.

Open Studio fees are $2.00 per hour (or any portion thereof) with a maximum of $10.00 per day. Fees for studio use, clays and tools will be given to the monitor when leaving the studio.

Clays can be purchased for $25.00 per bag, which includes two firings and glazing. It's a bargain considering the costs of glazing and firing using your own clay

Join us in the studio!

The RAL Pottery Studio Grows

Hello Friends of the RAL Pottery Studio,

We thought you would want to know about events taking place at the RAL Pottery Studio. The RAL has expanded RAL members’ access to the studio to Tues. and Thurs. from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. After Jan. 1, 2010, the fee for Open Studio hours will depend on the amount of time you use the studio. The fee will be $2.00 per hour (or any portion of the hour) with a maximum fee of $10.00 per day. Also, the fee for clay, glazing and firing will remain the same as in the past ($25 for 25 lbs. of clay, which includes the glazing and two firings). An “a la carte menu” will be provided for those members who wish purchase clay for use in their home studios, or want to use glazes or the firing facilities of the studio. The clay is available for $15.00 per 25 lb. bag. Glazing and firing in the studio will be determined by the cubic inch volume of the pieces to be glazed or fired. The cost for glazing only will be $.03 per cubic inch. The cost for the combined two firings will be $.03 per cubic inch.

We are also implementing a new plan for managing the studio, which we think will improve the experience of studio users and make our work there more productive. Included in the plan is purchasing more equipment, expanding the physical space of the studio and providing more structure for its use in terms of monitoring and maintaining the studio. Volunteer studio monitors will be available to assist you in the various ways you can use the facilities and facilitate fee payments and studio maintenance.

As mentioned, the plan will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2010 in conjunction with the beginning of the Art League’s 2010 schedule of classes. It is directed toward making the studio a place where you can explore the possibilities in clay work, improve your skills and enjoy the company of others with similar interests. In addition, it is the intent of the Art League to provide you with a well-run facility to pursue your goals. To implement the plan we are asking all members to review the Studio guidelines (available in the studio), register their agreement by signing the Studio Users Form on their first visit after the Jan. 1 start up, and provide to their monitor or instructor.

We have also started a blog to communicate with RAL Pottery Studio users. Check the following site to see various messages regarding ongoing Studio events and activities.

http://ralpotterystudio.blogspot.com/

We also have a calendar online to inform you of pottery classes and studio events at:

http://www.google.com/calendar/render?gsessionid=t_trlvuonVgMt6vEVmJRUg

You may want to bookmark this site to refer back to the calendar in the future. If you have any problems accessing either of these resources, contact Wes at wesnerstack@comcast.net.

Happy Holidays and hope to see you in the studio.

RAL visits the Frederick Pottery School

On Nov. 2 Kim Klabe, Education Director of the RAL, and several members of the RAL Clay Studio (Pam Blessinger, Carmela Coleman, Barbara Crowl, Jeff Stickle, Wes Stack and Mike Wells) visited Bill Van Gilder's Frederick Pottery School to learn about Bill's organization and procedures for an ongoing educational program for clay work. Although the mission of both organizations differ somewhat, Bill's information and advice provided the group with a good deal of food for thought. More to follow... here's some photos of Bill's operation:

 

A view of the wash tubs and clay traps in the studio as well as the water bucket and sponge station.

 

Wheels in the studio with benches. Note also the benches cover the electrical power supplies. Student cubbies on the right line the wall. The School now has 76 students.

Back room area with student's ware either fired or waiting for next firing. All pieces are organized by the class. Mike and Carmela are in front of the kiln. The pottery school runs only one kiln, but it must be running constantly.

Entry to the school. Clay is delivered and stored where it can be distributed easily.

Can't see the pug mill very well, but it's used to recycle clay. A third of the clay used by students is recycled with the pug mill and re-sold at a reasonable rate.