We have a class trip to the International Ceramics Centre at Kecskemet in Hungary for two weeks starting 27th March -Covid 19 permitting. Deposits paid, excitement building, ordering bubble wrap to protect work we are shipping out to fire... The centre has a wood firing and soda kiln as well as the standard gas and electric. None of us are very familiar with using these so we are taking stoneware bisque fired pots to glaze there and test out the Hungarian glazes and kilns before we make and fire more pieces there. Dave and Rob made some press moulds for table ware so we could all quickly produce some plates and bowls to take. I have also thrown some bowls and planters, first time on the wheel for a year. I am reasonably pleased, but had originally intended to make a lidded serving bowl for my daughter and family. Maybe later. These are all extremely plain. I was thinking functional ware but also wanted to provide a blank canvas for glaze testing. Dave (informed by a lifetime of experience) then made a very grogged clay by mixing standard stoneware, a little terracotta (to warm the tone) and gritty feldspar for press moulding. He used it himself to throw a series of beakers but I understand his hands were bleeding afterwards. He explained this clay should react well with the glaze in the wood firing to produce great effects. Well maybe its good that I have done something plain for contrast!
Dave also suggested I take some of 'reject' handbuilt forms. Well I have plenty in craft crank which might be interesting to fire as I have not yet fired them all at home. Only downside is that they weigh up to 2Kg each. What do I leave out of my luggage?
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AuthorI am indulging my passion for ceramics by undertaking studies for an MA at UCLAN Archives
August 2021
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