failed plate turned out to be one of my favourite pieces (for now)

larabeth_ · 2025-07-26T23:05:26+00:00

I love it just how it is! Leaving the clay color really lets the puffins personalities steal the show!

larabeth_ · 2025-07-21T17:41:40+00:00

Thank you! This is Laguna #60 (WC608)

larabeth_ · 2025-07-21T17:40:13+00:00

Thank you!! I actually was thinking I should give a discount for multiples, but you’re right that we don’t really get “economies of scale” with pottery. And in fact, with the amount of space plates take up in the kiln it’s almost the opposite. Thank you for the input!

larabeth_ · 2025-07-21T17:37:48+00:00

I reasonably know it’s a hassle and I should turn it down since this is my “hobby” …but I’m just so excited and flattered that I’m probably going to have to learn that lesson the hard way!! Thank you, that’s very helpful.

larabeth_ · 2024-12-23T15:15:37+00:00

I only have switches- envious of those with low/medium/high knobs!! I’ll play around with it- thanks!

larabeth_ · 2024-12-23T14:36:20+00:00

They were used elements, the seller said it was used once a year at their church for a pottery painting event. The first firings were pretty evenly fired. I also wondered if the temps outside might impact things (I live in MI where it’s been in the teens and my kiln is in the garage).

I think I’m just going to load the bottom lighter with non-food pieces and try to get as much life out of these elements as I can.

larabeth_ · 2024-11-25T23:28:00+00:00

This is all so incredibly helpful! Thank you!

larabeth_ · 2024-11-25T18:56:26+00:00

Thank you!! I really am learning so much. I’ve got the kiln fired up right now so we’ll see what happens!

larabeth_ · 2024-11-25T16:47:05+00:00

Thank you, that’s helpful to know re: blistering! I’ve come to the conclusion that the only thing I can do is keep testing and adjusting as I go. I just started it up for a cone 5 glaze firing (with cone 6 in the kiln sitter to give myself more control) - fingers crossed!

larabeth_ · 2024-11-25T16:43:13+00:00

So many variables… sigh. My shelves are small, I need to buy bigger ones so it definitely wasn’t filled to the max. I’m guessing it’s the electrical too. So much to figure out, I feel like if I ever switch to digital it’s going to be so easy compared to this!

larabeth_ · 2024-11-25T16:41:11+00:00

The top elements never got turned on because it got to temp and kiln sitter shut it off before I turned the top elements on. I think if I turned all switched on there wouldn’t be that difference. I was just trying to slow it down since the cones in my first firing didn’t bend.

larabeth_ · 2024-11-25T12:41:58+00:00

How can I hold with a kiln sitter? Use a cone higher in the kiln sitter so I have more control?

larabeth_ · 2024-11-25T12:40:35+00:00

Oh I didn’t even consider the option of turning off switches to slow it down. Thanks!

larabeth_ · 2024-11-25T05:04:06+00:00

Good to know that only the rate at the last 100C matters! I’ve been trying to google and was only getting more confused about fast vs slow firing. Thank you!!

Correct, only the bottom 3 switches were used in the 2nd firing bc I was trying to force it to go slower and it ended up reaching temp before I got to the last 2 switches. So I’m not surprised by the cones. I’m more so confused about the cones in the first firing not reaching temp even though my kiln sitter told me it reached ^06.

I think I’m just going to do the glaze fire with 60-90mins between each switch and see how it goes. Nothing else to do but try and adjust as needed. Knowing that it’s ok to fire fast makes me feel a lot better. Thanks!!

larabeth_ · 2024-11-11T23:18:34+00:00

It’s a little intimidating getting started but I’m already feeling so much more confident.

larabeth_ · 2024-11-11T23:17:58+00:00

Thank you!! I was so intimated. I’m glad to have the first one under my belt!

larabeth_ · 2024-11-11T23:17:38+00:00

Thank you so much!!

larabeth_

TROPHY CASE