On the 11th
March we did our first firing of the year. It usually takes about 2-3 months to
make and glaze enough pots to fill the kiln here, and we’d been in no great
hurry after a busy Christmas.
The kiln at The
Marches Pottery was built by Andrew and his brother, Keith, when they first set
up the pottery in the early 80s. It is oil-fired and is only used for gloss
firing, which we always reduce to get Andrew’s subtle range of celadons, tenmokus
and rusts. It has taken me a long time to get used to the kiln, because it is
big and noisy and ferocious. For a
long time I just watched Andrew tend it (‘tether it’ as one friend described it),
but over time I have built my confidence and understanding of it, and am now
able to comment, occasionally intelligently, on its progress, and take part in
some of the tasks involved in seeing it through its 16-18 hour cycle.
This firing was
particularly good. It felt like it was the first sunny day of the year, and
there wasn’t a breath of wind. The whole schedule ran very smoothly; the day
was calm and a little quieter than usual, thanks partly to the well-behaviour
right burner that Andrew had managed to successfully adjust after some
spluttering and buffeting in previous firings. Andrew and I both refrained from
saying anything, eager not jinx it, and just enjoyed the day, knowing full well
that actually it could very well be going terribly wrong inside.
Luckily it didn’t. It
was a very even firing with no patches of oxidization or under or over-firing.
The celadons were crisp, the tenmoku black, and the white was gleaming and
unctuous (a favoured word at the pottery). I had put through the usual pieces
of standard ware that I make for the shop; espresso cups, mugs, jugs and bowls,
and also some of my own work. I was particularly pleased with my mugs, as I had
managed to achieve a successful proportion and rim, and my handles really are
ALMOST there. Andrew was
very pleased with my glazing, and said so, which was nice (yes, that is a gross
understatement of my emotions).
It is April now and we
are only a week away from another firing. I hope this one goes as well as the
last, and I hope, as always, that my pots are better this time.
Packing the kiln
Bricking up the door
Clamming up the door
Heating-up
Oil-burner in action
Checking the reduction - looking at the flame
Checking the cones for even heat absorption
Burners off
Breaking down the door after a two-day cool down
Success!
Some of my standard ware for Andrew
Some of Andrews work
Some of my own work
Until next time Xx
