Simple mosaic in the underground Jackson “L” Station
on my way home from the Shamrock Shuffle.

And then a not-so-simple mosaic ceiling in the atrium dome of Marshall Field’s…
err, I guess we’re supposed to call it Macy’s now?!

Save

Save

Save

Save

Who doesn’t like a moose blowing bubble gum?!

Save

Save

Yesterday was “Fun Day Sunday” while my kiln was cooling. It started with the annual Shamrock Shuffle running through the streets of Downtown Chicago with Tracy, Michelle and about 40,000 of my “closest friends.” It was a bit cold at 28-dregrees & windy when we started…. at least the sun was shining on us.

And the Shamrock “aftermath” when I got home…

So I’m nearing the end of my soda firing today! It was a nice & even firing the whole way through. Always a good feeling when you get to the end and turn it off. So quiet. For tomorrow is a “Fun Day” while the kiln cools!

Save

Several people asked to see the finished pieces from my bubble glazing demo a week or so ago. Well here are a few of the pieces from class. A fun technique with a wide range of results… have fun, experiment & bubble away!!!!

This was my demo piece. A base layer of a glossy white glaze. Followed by a bubble layer of a purple glaze… and then another bubble layer of blue. Apparently the purple wasn’t quite strong enough to show up? Bad glaze choice?… or just not enough bubbles???

And then here are a few pots bubbled by the students!

Many people have asked how I fire my holiday ornaments. I tell them “upside-down.” Well, here’s the real secret revealed… I prop them up on a tripod I make out of clay, bisque and dip in kiln wash. A little balancing trick so I can get soda-fired effects around all sides of the ornament. Hope it was worth the wait!!!

It takes awhile to load the soda kiln. Especially when you’re doing it by yourself. Lots of pots & lots of shelves. It’ pretty much like a large 3D game of Tetris. Packing as much in as you can… but keeping space for the air & soda to flow through.

Here’s the back stack of the soda kiln… a third of the space filled.
More pots. More shelves to come

And then the bottom “floor” layer of the front stack…

And then finally, a few hours later, the front stack is piled up and ready to brick up the door.

And the top cone pack to watch throughout the firing. Each pyrometric cone is a different density so they melt at different temperatures. When the last cone goes down you know you’re done wit the firing. Very hi-tech!!!!

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

My studio cart down in the kiln room ready for loading. The bands of masking tape are just “safety belts” so everything survives the trip down in the freight elevator. WHEW… made it. Including the teapots glazed & wadded… wouldn’t want to lose another one of them!!!

An empty kiln full of potential.

My first batch of holiday ornaments are ready to go into the soda kiln as well.