Post #711490 by danlovestikis on Tue, Mar 18, 2014 8:30 AM

littlegiles thank you very much.

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My goal with contests is to inspire everyone to continue to stop by here and to write comments when they like something. This has been a real treat for me.

We started the contest on Sunday the 16th of March. My dad and my sister were born on March 16th. It's a special day in our family.

The contest started at 983,097. We haven't hit 1,000,000 yet. I'll keep watching.

Thank you all for entering. Cheers, Wendy

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When I cast these sea creatures I cleaned them up so that they were ready to use.

I didn't need them so I've now added holes and I'll make them into necklaces.

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Huge step forward for Wish List #4. Not all but may of the pieces have dried so it was time to sand them and to load the kiln.

I can't sand in the house, it's bad enough that I'm sculpting in there. Clay dust is deadly.

I started by bringing out the first load to sand.

These are the tools I use to sand and fine tune each cast.

I started by outlining the faces on the two Suffering Bastard Bob's. I had forgotten to do that before they dried.

Here's one done and one to go. This is the time to make sure everything is as good as it can be.

Those have been finished. When I sand I always have a soft sponge matt under my work. If you don't do this the clay can chip on the bottom edges.

As I finish a tray Dan gets them and used the air compressor to blow off the dust.

Keep dust out of your kiln because it can ruin pieces you are glazing. We always vacuum the kiln after bisque firing is finished.

I use my label scraper tool to fine tune the hats. I have to make sure that I've left enough room for the glaze that will be added to the mug. Also when the clay is dry it is easier to make a flat surface. Now the hats will fit better.

Each time Dan finished blowing off the dust he would put the piece in the kiln.

Back and forth. unfortunately as I sanded and he loaded I missed a photo of when this level was filled. I'll get that after firing.

Top level is filled.

They can touch during the bisque fire. They do not stick. When they are glazed they have to be apart.

Some things were so thick they are still drying. Example Moai Mikes rocky Moai mug. Also some things were not completed yet. There will be more sessions like this ahead.

Thanks for the visit. Cheers, Wendy