First Entire Kiln Firing of the Apocalypse Stoker Gallery

Well there was fire on May 21, 2011 but thankfully no brimstone. I was pretty bummed when I heard God scheduled the end of the world for Saturday, but I guess he changed his mind. I'm thankful for this. Here is the stoker gallery for the firing of the apocalypse.

First out to help was Ana. We preheated the kiln overnight and I started heavier stoking at 6:30 am. Ana arrived around 8:30. She stoked until she had to go to work at Claymakers.
Wendy used her Popeye like strength to keep the fire going after lunch.


After bringing out pizza and drinks, Emily took this photo as the pyrometer reached 666. Her headline was "Fire-starter Enraptures Stem". I missed getting a photo of Emily myself but enjoyed her coming out post hip surgery and keeping us nourished and motivated. Also not pictured is Darren and Shadow. Darren stoked for a little while before heading to work as well.



Spence lent a hand not only stoking the fire but he also used his construction skills to cut part of the roof that was near the chimney (I have been meaning to cut that off since it was touching the kiln). This had not been done before because we lacked a large enough ladder and the tools to do it. He also came up with a great plan for an inexpensive heat shield that will be in place before the next firing. You can see in the photo below the kiln shed is a little close to the chimney. I've had no problems so far but imagine that after several firings of being exposed to heat it could get damaged (or catch fire easy).





Kyle kept us on pace for a couple of hours. "You need 2 degrees a minute, I can do that. " He did get us ahead by four minutes at one point, in doing so I hope he didn't ruin the pots. Just kidding, he was amazing and I really appreciate him keeping things going while my mental status started to decline.

Bob and Carrie grilled dinner for us, a tradition I think I want to continue for future firings. Yummy jerk chicken wings, the BEST potatoes I've ever had and grilled sugar snap peas.




Stewart came out and took some professional photos. See the entire lot here





Amalia and Elizabeth were out late in the day, helping move wood and eat pizza, cookies, crackers and strawberries. Let's guess which job Elizabeth preferred.


Steven came out after working in the pharmacy for 12 hours and side stoked for a few hours. I hadn't planned on still firing past 10 pm but we went slower than originally planned. I think when I look back I can see where we lost an hour here or there. Next firing though I hope is in the 14 to 16 hour range.

Bob was the right side stoker. He was quite dedicated, stoking at least 8 hours.

Oh yeah, and this guy. Joe helped a little. Little being all week by reconstructing the firebox, hanging the door, building the bagwall, loading pots and probably a thousand other things I'm leaving out right now. Joe is the best, that's all I can say.




What is this? A smile at hour 18? Must be a bit delusional at this point. Thought I was sleeping or something. Just happy we missed the apocalypse in the west coast time zone so most likely we will all live to actually see the pots come out of the kiln.


Amalia was the last person to stoke the main firebox, finishing up around midnight if I recall correctly (may need to check cardboard notes for precise time). Oh, it was 12:15. We fired the second chamber until around 3:15. A big thank you to everyone for their help. It takes a lot to fire a kiln!


And we have a few double entendres that kept us laughing throughout the firing. I started notating them because I knew it was unlikely I'd recall them later.

Wendy to Spence, "I'm giving you 15 minutes to get it up. " (temperature)
Stewart to Bob, " I'm really in to thighs lately." (regarding grilled chicken)
Me to ?, "Grab your own wood. " (this pile of wood is for the firebox)
Me to Amalia and Elizabeth, "If I get too obese we can get a hoe". (stating that if I gain too much weight I will be unable to crawl in the firebox to clean it).

Ready to Fire This Saturday

The firebox has been rebuilt and we are set to fire on Saturday. Not much time to blog but Joe Cole made it to NC on Monday, started to work on the kiln yesterday and finished up today. Bob and Matt helped coat the kiln and I have been glazing pots for what seems like an eternity. Also Steven came out and cut posts so that I'm ready to start loading tomorrow. Very tired, going to bed to get an early start tomorrow. I'll probably only have time for a few pics until then.

Hannah McAndrew and Doug Fitch Workshop

(Plate by Hannah McAndrew)

(Jug by Doug Fitch)

British Potters, Hannah McAndrew and Doug Fitch taught a workshop Saturday in Shelby, NC. They demonstrated their throwing, altering and decorating techniques. Below is a puzzle jug, made by Doug and decorated by Hannah. I've never seen such a jug and it is a puzzle! How do you get the water out without spilling it all over? Not going to spoil it for those that want to figure it out. I must say, I would have never gotten it on my own.

Here is a picture of Hannah's high tech slip trailer. Amazing what she can do with it, it is essentially an old bike tire inner tube with cork and a mechanical pencil held together by a paper clip. I am definitely going to give this a try, it seemed that the slip came out more consistently. I'm sure it had nothing to do with Hannah's years of experience and skill.

Here are some of the pots they brought with them to sell in the gallery.


Hannah's pots above. I ended up with the tall dark pitcher (jug) with yellow slip trailed flowers in the back.


Doug's gorgeous pitchers (jugs) and mugs. The mug on the far right below with sprigs made it home with me too.






Of course, I had to be a nerd and get a photo with Hannah. She was so sweet and charming. I hope they both have had a great time and have a safe trip home. A big thank you to Ron and Sarah Philbeck for putting this workshop together. They did a great job!

Art in Clay Exhibit at Old Salem

I enjoyed an impromptu field trip today to Old Salem Museum and Gardens, after doing some part time pharmacy work. I've wanted to visit for years now but have never had a good opportunity until today. They currently have an amazing exhibit until August 14, 2011, "Art in Clay: Masterworks of North Carolina Earthenware". It is a ground-breaking exhibit that features approximately 120 pieces of masterfully decorated slipware, sculptural bottles, refined creamware and faience that are but part of the rich artistic legacy of North Carolina's first earthenware potters. I had the best day, looking at slip trailed pots, snacking on Moravian sugar cake. Sometimes you need a day like today to take it easy and get inspired. Now I'm even more psyched about this weekend's workshop in Shelby, NC featuring Hannah McAndrew and Doug Fitch. I feel it was serendipitous that I had free time today to see these wonderful pieces right before my slip trailing workshop. Look for many slip trailed pieces to come! Sorry, there is no sugar cake left to share.






Below is potter Michael Fox making an ink well.






These nice gentlemen are cutting my freshly baked sugar cake.

Done...for now

The kiln is pretty much done except for some minor tweaking. Joe finished the firebox on Thanksgiving day, then traveled back to Wisconsin. A few days later, he expressed that he would like to rework the firebox to make it better. The tatami brick did not work out as well as planned. See Joe's post for more details on what did not work.

I was hoping to be completely done by now, but it will not take much to redo the firebox this spring before the first "entire kiln" firing. So this spring, Joe will come back, take off the top of the main firebox and do it again, most likely without any tatami bricks. It is sad that we worked so hard on the brick for them to not work out. Joe felt like they were too tapered. He thought that the ones I made were straighter and if we had more, it could have worked. Too bad I was a slow producer and didn't make as many as Joe and Matt (but I am secretly happy mine were the best). I think the tatami bricks will eventually find a place to work, just maybe not in my kiln.

Steven and I finished coating the first chamber today, much to his dismay. When coating it several weeks ago we ran out of clay and I had to go buy more. I have been trying to finish it for weeks, but needed a night where the temperatures did not dip below 30 at night. Today was the only one in weeks, and there do not seem to be any more coming any time soon. It is unseasonably cold! Steven tried to talk me out of it today, but I was as determined as a two year old that I wanted to do it and do it today, even if it didn't make sense. I know it didn't have to be done until spring but I hated to leave the kiln with a patch of kaowool showing.


Another view after coating the first chamber.




The state of the first chamber for the last 2 weeks. See, it just couldn't sit like this for months. Thanks to Steven for your help today and for the past 2 months!

That reminds me, I need to thank all those that helped throughout this process. Let's see, there is Joe Cole, a huge thank you, thank you, thank you. I could not have done this without your hard work, planning, and patience. You helped me fulfill a life dream, for that I will always be grateful. Thanks to Christy for allowing Joe to come help me for several weeks. Also for your help on your vacation. I am so glad you could visit for a little while! I'd like to thank Matt Hallyburton, Gaines Bailey, Kyle Miller, Wendy Neale and Spence Bardeen, Luke Studer and Elizabeth Hodgson, the Harlans, Bob Feth, Emily Cox, Trish Welsh, Lara O'Keefe, Ana Howard, Darren Sink, Stewart Waller, Gene Christian, Alex and Poli Garcia, Dave and Katherine, Rick Tufts, Andy Miller, Takuro Shibata and Greg Shuck. Thank you all so much!

Coating the First Chamber

On Wednesday my friends, Trish Welsh and Emily Cox, came out to help coat the first chamber. We cut and laid the kaowool ceramic fiber, then covered that with chicken wire, and finally coated it all with the sand/clay/cement/straw mix. We had a great time. Here are some pics of us ladies in action.







Here is Trish, covering the sidewall.





And Emily .

This photo was taken for a laugh at how potters use their shirts and pants to wipe their hands. More funny than this would be when I'm in "good clothes" and forget it is not acceptable to wipe hands on yourself. This action is usually followed by the thoughts of "What was I thinking? Or not thinking?".

We did not get the entire chamber covered, but got most of it done. We were running low on clay and had to make a run to Claymakers to get more. Also Joe was working on the main firebox and we will not be able reach some areas due to invading his work space. I plan to finish up with the coating next week. I've got family visiting for Thanksgiving and I'm enjoying some rest and time with them for a few days.

Tatami Bricks!

We unloaded the kiln today and the tatami brick look great. No casualties, so the preheat took care of drying them out. We hope to place them tomorrow, and also coat the kiln, which means we'll be done! Yea! Joe did a more in depth post of today, so check it out here.