Post #682686 by danlovestikis on Tue, Jun 18, 2013 2:13 PM

GROG has posted on Tiki Central Infirmary on the Ohana page. Please check it out and wish him well.

OK MadDogMike and GROG here's what I learned from Clayton. If you fire too hot your clay will loose its porosity and it will not suck in the glaze as it fires. When you put a hold on longer than 12 minutes at the end of bisque or glazing this can happen. He does a 10 hour preheat on all his bisque ware to make sure it is free of water.

If you have a piece that keeps kicking off the glaze then spray that spot with Aqua Net Hairspray. When it dries then paint on your glaze. Let that dry and fire again. He said the Aqua Net will act as a glue first and then it burns off and you are left with a well glazed piece.

Progress Report

I showed the Chippy Bob to a friend who just retired from the police force. He said he had to have a Bob mug with his badge on it. It's not perfect but here it is.

He send me a photo of his badge #999 so I started with clay on the back of Bob.

I got Dan's dads badge and compared them and the shape was the same so I decided to use it.

I pressed it into the circle of clay to get the badge outline.

When I removed it the pin had left a big hole.

I hope I closed the hole without introducing any air bubbles which would explode in the kiln.
I used this tool to cut away the excess clay.

Now I had the shape. Front.

Side view.

I first carved in the shapes where the lettering would go.

Next I carved in the words and numbers.

I gave Bob a suit and tie with a dress shirt. He's spiffy.

Backside.

Up close.

Next Project was the Volcano Crack. I don't have to worry too much about how this area looks as long at it doesn't leak. I am trying to make a plug that will be glued in place with glaze.

I rolled out a piece that was the right length.

I pressed it into place.

I added a wet paper towel so that it will dry slowly. I'll add water for awhile.

Next project the Sacramento Crawl mug continues on.
I set up outside again to sand the dry mugs.

I'm making a dent in the dry ones while we continue to pour. I have #43 and 44 to clean up after I finish this post.

I'm a pinup model!

Dan is great at dusting.

The first level of the kiln is loaded. They are too tall for a second level except laying on their sides. I won't be able to glaze very many at a time but I can do a lot when its bisque fire and they can touch. I even fit in the Sheriff Bob mug.

The garage is calling me to work. I hope you are having a good day too. Cheers, Wendy