The latest kiln firing reached temperature (1250C) in record time (14 hrs!) after Mark replaced a couple of the elements. Glaze firings are always more of a nail biter than first firings of either stoneware or earthenware as the glazes can be a bit temperamental. If a glaze is prone to run it can dribble onto the kiln shelf and then it is permanently stuck to the shelf - so both the pot and the shelf may end up in the bin. His latest trick is to put a slither of firebrick under the pot so that any dribbles land on these, then the firebrick can be flicked off, or ground off with an angle grinder and no harm done! The kiln is a bit of monster in terms of capacity and consumption of electricity, so every pot counts!
Anyway since we've been in France getting a blue glaze right has been a trial. Dribbling, crawling, inconsistent ... etc. So when these ones emerged it was a big hurrah! (The white glaze with the iridescent areas is called Irise, the blue is Bleu Royale and also has iridescent particles in it.)
Why Posh pots - because The Posh play in blue of course!
Anyway since we've been in France getting a blue glaze right has been a trial. Dribbling, crawling, inconsistent ... etc. So when these ones emerged it was a big hurrah! (The white glaze with the iridescent areas is called Irise, the blue is Bleu Royale and also has iridescent particles in it.)
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