And the Kiln is Opened!

 

  
 

Green plate by Melissa, Red star by Chase, Heart plate by Alicia



About 90% (at least) of the students in middle school love working in clay.  It's often the first thing they ask about when they arrive in August.  In December we made plates, bowls and platters.  I asked the students to either impress or draw designs on their projects, and if possible, to add an attachment of  clay.  Attaching clay is much harder than it looks.  Several problems can arise: if not scored correctly before attaching, the piece can fall off.  Or, if there is not a good seal and air is trapped under the piece, it can blow off during firing. 

After constructing the pottery it is bisque fired - the initial firing.  Then after glazing there is another firing.  Below is a "before" and "after" photo set. The first photo shows the plate/bowl after bisque firing and glazing.  The second photo shows the pottery after the glaze firing.  The bowl is attached to the plate, and doesn't come off.  Great job, Jeremy!

 

Here are some more clay projects.

 

On some of these the clay is impressed with crocheted doilies, making a lovely pattern.




Torie                            Tate                                  Sadie G



Hans                                     Kylie D                              Nick

 

Next post: Disaster in the clay studio!