I had a fairly successful firing this time. It was sort of a catch-up load. I'll be posting various items as I photograph them.
I handbuilt this teapot based on a CAD post on quickly building teapots over a form. I got a little more complicated because I pulled the handles and spout. I also punched holes instead of cutting a hole for the spout attachment. I generally use a tea basket when I brew tea, but I still can't bring myself to cut a hole when I am making a teapot.
This is terra cotta glazed in Spectrum #251 Satin White. This is not an easy glaze to paint on. Spraying with hairspray gives the glaze enough tooth so colors go on without rubbing off. The colors are all Mason Stains.
The base is glazed in one of Spectrum's low fire metallic glazes. Of course I did not make a note of which glaze. It could be wrought iron or a misfire. I need to work on these!
Here is the kitty whistle with his mended ear. If I had been willing to take the glaze off the broken area and done a refire it would probably be an invisible mend.
I have been looking for a substitute for my favorite Mason Cobalt CORRECTION! I MEANT TO WRITE CERULEAN 6379 which is no longer available. (Cobalt is another story. It's a very dense dark blue that I use in very, very small amounts!) I can't even find a formula so I can mix my own. I guess at some point I can call Mason. This is Mason 6738 Zirconium Vanadium. I don't particularly like it as a background color. It's too dense and almost metallic. I just need to keep testing; white may do a lot for it.
I was going to rant about how the Forest Tent Caterpillars are destroying my white oaks and making it extremely unpleasant to be outside. However, I decided that ugly caterpillars and stripped white oaks do not belong with the happiness of my firing! The rant will have to wait!
The weather is beautiful if a little windy. It's nice on the deck under the umbrella.
Enjoy the day and, as always, thanks for stopping by...........*s*
If there were a site for just ranting, it would probably be jammed all the time! Gorgeous teapot!
ReplyDeleteHi Barb....Thanks! It's a Summer of the Bug here!
Deletegreat teapot, I just mix up my own mason stains by volume, although I don't think I have any cobalt blue, I have a turquoise and a light blue I think, we finally got some rain here it's been drier this past month, I must remember to keep an eye on my little crab apple for the caterpillars
ReplyDeleteHi Linda.....Thanks. I meant to say Mason Cerulean 6379. I'm hoping I can get the formula for it from Mason. Cobalt is an entirely different story!
DeleteI mix my stains 50/50 with frit #3124 for the water color effect I like.
We are having a Summer of the Bug here. Now I have Red Beetles eating my lilies! It's always sumthin'!
Oh that teapot with its flowers, oh my :)
ReplyDeleteHi Gary.....Awww shucks!
DeleteDearest Suzi,
ReplyDeleteLove that kitty head and it is near perfect the way you mended it.
The teapot with the poppies looks lovely too.
Hugs,
Mariette
Hi Mariette...It's good to know that if I take the right steps I can so a good mend!
DeleteI really like how your flowers flow around your tea pot form, and the colors are just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLast year the tent caterpillars defoliated our weeping pear and red maple. I hope we don't have a repeat this year.
Hi Michele...Thanks. I cut down all the wild cherry around the house to get rid of the tent caterpillars. These are a variety called Forest Tent Caterpillars which don't make tents but float on strands much like gypsy moth. AAARRRGGGHHH!!!!
DeleteI like the teapot with its lovely poppy decoration, and there is something very satisfying about the shape and proportion of the handle. The Forest Tent caterpillars sound horribly destructive!
ReplyDeleteHi Peter....Thanks; Thanks I was pleased at how comfortable it is to use. Tent Caterpillars are not as bad a gypsy moths, which have no native predators in the Americas; they will eat anything, including mountain laurel and holly!
Delete