I'm going in to the studio tomorrow or Saturday to do some final trimming and finish burnishing my pit pots. I'm hoping to have everything done in enough time to go swimming on Saturday (it's very hot here) and relax and enjoy the time off.

I'm looking for suggestions on how to glaze/finish the raku pieces. Ideas?

Just finished the last class day for trimming pots. I unfortunately found three pots at the end of the class that I had not trimmed, plus I *still* am not finished with my burnishing work for pit pots.

On a side note, the iPod is a big hit in the class. They love the iTrip attachment, allowing us to all listen to my weird music collection. By the way, it's almost full, over 3000 songs.

I've spent the last few weeks working with raku clay and techniques in my class at Springfield Pottery with some success. I haven't spent any time working on my pit pots, much to the chagrin of Jen, my instructor. I also am considering taking a break from the classes to focus on studio time. That is yet to be worked out with Nathan and Jen. I'd like to pay for studio time equivalent to class time, to allow me to come in when I want to and not have the structure of the class.

I've come a long way with my throwing technique. I've done well with the raku clay, a much more gritty clay than the standard red-ish clay that we normally use. I've found that my fingertips are useful. I was using the sides of a finger or fingers to move clay as it turned on the wheel. What I realized was that the tips provided more force, similar to the way ice skate blades work. Now, I can move clay at will.

Now I'm left to work on form. I have several shapes I've done sucessfully, put the form is poor. An example: nice curving body with the top of the flare of a vase as big and tall as the base. I need to learn proportion. Not bad for someone who never took art classes in school and is a techie-geek!

Just got the basics of a website finished for Springfield Pottery. Nathan and Jen have been so kind to me, helping me figure out pottery and where it fits into my life.

Send them an email!

-srk

Hello!

This is a new feature of the house of warwick: a pottery weblog. I'm going to write about my classes, new things I learn, and some of the pieces that inspire me. I'm starting a Raku class tomorrow (May 20, 2003) which is something that I've never tried. I've already completed two classes at Springfield Pottery under the direction of Nathan and Jen Falter. These two have become my “clay dad” and “clay mom”, encouraging me to be detail-oriented in my work and keep my decorations simple. I've done well enough impress my family and some polite friends; that's why I'm taking the raku class.

Lovingly referred to as “Camp Raku” by the classes, raku classes are an adventure. Different clay, glazes and firing techniques give the pottery an entirely different presence. I'm certainly looking forward to my class time in the following weeks. Firing and “camp” day is July 11 and 12. It seems such a long time, but I know it will come quick. I'm taking some sketches to class with me and I'll try to set some goals: three pieces each day, all of the same shape. That will help me build technique. Maybe cylinders the first day, bowls the second day and altered forms the next. I'd like to limit the size of the pieces by clay weight (4 lbs.) to make sure that I don't let things get out of hand.

Planning will be the key to the whole thing. My wife has taught me that documenting what I do will ensure I can repeat a success and avoid a mistake. I'll plan form types and triming ideas on the same page. If possible, I'll share those ideas here.

–srk