At
the beginning of 2012 I made a list of things I wanted to do. These included
new designs I wanted to make and equipment I wanted to add to the studio. And
for once I’ve actually managed to cross off all the items on the list! This is
unheard of: usually at the end of the year I have to transfer half the items
from the unfinished ‘to do’ list over onto the following year. So 2012 has been
a very productive year for me!
Two
major items on the list this year were a) fix the studio roof and b) install a
kiln. Both took much longer than expected and proved very disruptive: but
ultimately worth it in the end. My studio has been transformed and it’s made
such a difference to how I work. As for the kiln: well I’ve only just squeezed
that into the last closing minutes of the year. It was finally plugged into the
electrics last week and switched on. As far as I know it’s ready to go (all the
lights are working and nothing exploded thankfully) but I still need to do a
‘first firing’…
Of
course once you cross off one thing on the list, new things spring up in its
place. So here’s my current mini sub-list for the last few remaining days of
the year:
1) Read the manual for the kiln controller (not as easy as it
sounds).
2) Program the controller for a ‘first firing’ (still not as easy
as it sounds).
3) Load the kiln with furniture only (ie; shelves and supports, no
ware) leaving bungs out to ‘first fire’ the kiln. (This is done to oxidise the
brand new kiln interior and also to dry out the batts.)
4) Cross fingers and hope it all works…
5) Shout yippee if it does and apply batt wash to kiln shelves.
6) In the meantime continue making pots ready for a first bisque
firing (planned for sometime in January).
7) Oh yes, and have Christmas day in there somewhere!
I’ve
already started my new list for 2013. Next year I’m looking forward to getting
to grips with firing my new kiln and developing my own range of glazes. And of
course I’d like to make some new designs again too. No rest for the wicked.
Happy
Holidays!