packing the kiln

Today, I am completing the packing of my kiln. It is housed in my outdoor studio, here at The Potter's House. The goats have come by to see how many mangoes have fallen from the trees so that they can consume them for breakfast. This is my second kiln. I bought my first kiln back in 1995. It was an Aim kiln. I used it for about eleven (11) years before I bought my second kiln, an Olympic, in 2006. It is a larger kiln, measuring 23" wide x 30" high. Sometimes, I find it a challenge to pack it 'fill it' so as to maximize it's efficiency. So these past two weeks we have been very busy producing pottery. I concentrated mostly on throwing on the wheel, while Steve produced some pieces using the slab technique. Some of the larger pieces still has a couple more days before it is completely dried. Pieces have to be 'bone' dry before they are fired, so that they won't explode in the kiln.

Since this is a top-loading Kiln, I normally start packing the kiln by placing the largest and tallest pieces on the bottom, then I fill in the smaller pieces. I place three of the tallest kiln posts at approximately equal distances apart before adding another kiln shelf. In the photo, you see that this is a 'bisque' or 'biscuit' firing. The pieces are all 'greenware' i. e. air-dried, unfired clay pieces. In a firing like this, pieces can touch each other. While in a 'glaze' firing pieces must be at least 1/2" apart to prevent them from adhering to each other.

On the middle shelves I have packed smaller pieces:- bowls, animal shapes for wind chimes and for wall hangings, coasters, shot glasses and there is also a piggy bank which my daughter Kande made, that's going along for the ride. She made sure I didn't forget to put it in.

Here on the top shelf, I have placed some pieces which are still in the process of drying, along with some small vases, votive candle holders and incense oil burners. The slightly damp pieces are a bit darker than the drier pieces. Late last week, I met someone who is currently doing a development on the island and he asked me to show him some samples of wall sconces. So far we have completed three different designs. While Steve was responsible for the construction of the pieces, we discussed and looked at some designs prior to him executing them. The company uses an 'angel' fish as their motif, so I have incorporated that into the design. Notice the cutouts on the pieces. Since we would like these pieces to be part of this firing, we are hoping to fire the kiln they dry out completely. That may be tomorrow or the day after. In the meantime production continues....