45. Did I save it? Or did it crack?

January 23 a kiln opening that found me holding my breath with anticipation....
Did the platter that I'd refired survive, or was the crack still there.....was it usable, or was it ruined........ only time would tell.
This kiln-load also contained so many gifts for my work colleagues I was due to join for a global meeting in Jackson, Wyoming, US in Feb 23. They were a surprise so I was holding back on posting this kiln opening - however I never anticipated it would take me 12 months to upload! With ten sets of ceramic gifts lets just say my carry on luggage on the flight was very precious cargo! I can confirm they all arrived in one piece and the recipients loved and appreciated the gifts.
Apologies for my absence, 2023 was definitely a more challenging year, but 2024 is starting as I hope it continues....with lots of pottery, adventures and exploration.
Thanks as always for the wonderful support and interest,
Jeanette
#farforestceramics #kiln #kilnopening #kilnfail #potteryfail #pottery #potteryglazeopening

[@kariweaver1233]

I would love to come hang out with you in your studio! You just have to much fun! ❤ from Canada

[@FarForestCeramics]

LOL - I feel like that too when I see other potters around the globe and want to do a quick time travel! Wouldnt it be the best!

[@bmora5610]

Hi Jeanette. I just took a solo trip driving through 4 states. California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah to attend ClayConWest in St. George. I learned a lot and I'm also looking forward to seeing all your new work. Your kiln opening was stellar, and I'm still working on 3 years of finding my best kiln schedule. Im going to start calling myself "Loner On The Loose". 😅 🌻

[@FarForestCeramics]

Lol, oh that made me giggle and feel sad all at the same time! I get it though, I'm not close to any local potters and I drove 19 hour round trip over 3 days to visit a potter I met on Instagram for just 4 hours. The things you do. I've looked into attending some.of the US events, and nearly booked flights....and then though I was being crazy lol. Loner on the loose!!! 🤣🤣🤣 lois on the loose is one of my favourite books!

[@ceramicsbyjulia8552]

Jeanette what a wonderful kiln opening, so lovely to see you and your squeals of excitements again I have missed them❤ love all the little expresso/whiskey cups, great to see how clear canapé such a difference over a glaze. My fave of those is your birch cordovan combo. The ones that have really stuck maybe you can make candles for the house, stick a wick in the bottom with some glue dots or hot glue and our in some melted wax with a bit of fragrance in let it cool then top it up? Or sell them in the mishaps bin on your stall, gives people who can't afford a full price piece a chance to buy a whoopsie piece. Although I know you are a perfectionist like me😅 but saves the land fill. Shame about the platter but it was worth trying, good to note how many more cracks it got, refires seem to be about 50/50 as to whether it's going to be better or worse😅 some things are worth trying though. All that flat platter could be broken into mosaic pieces and put round a wooden framed mirror or something like that then grouted to make a Co ordinated piece for your house. Your mugs are exquisite as always you have the most beautiful mug shapes. So sorry to hear it was through illness that has kept you from your studio. Glad to see you are doing well now and looking forward to all the exciting things to come from you on your journey this year❤❤❤

[@FarForestCeramics]

Hi Julia, Thanks for the lovely comment. Great idea about the candles. Ive been using them currently in the studio as small water pots which are so useful. The platter was never going to survive, but I was curious to see just how much the crack increased - and wow..that was an impressive crack! So symmetrical too! This kiln opening seems a lifetime ago, 12 months exactly, and sadly just before my world fell apart in 2023, little did I know at this point what was about to happen. But 2024 is now the year to repair, rebuild and focus on improved health and well being, and fun in the studio :)

[@micheledickey4066]

What a sweetheart you are for making so many gifts for your friends! I’ve tried to fix cracks in so many ways and if it’s that big it just doesn’t work unfortunately. My favorite is the bowl and the last cup. I love that you sanded the bit of handle down and used it as a cup. I’ve done that so many times as well. lol. Do you know what glazes you had on the bowl?

[@FarForestCeramics]

Thanks Michelle. I didn't hold out much hope for the large platter but it was worth the experiment I guess. I really enjoy experimenting so when a handle falls off I try to use the piece to test something else out. Not always a winning idea but some have been successes. The bill was with Mayco Smoke with Mayco Manganese wash on the rim. Need to try that one again. 🤔

[@Elizabeth-mo3fv]

what is the glaze on the cups that you loved so much? they have the cream color over the blue

[@FarForestCeramics]

Apologies, I'm not sure which ones you are referring to?

[@marycarolyn1293]

That’s a shame about the plate. It would have been very pretty. We all have this kind of thing happen at some point, unfortunately. Nice job on the other pieces, though!

[@FarForestCeramics]

Have to be honest I was 99% certain it was going to fail, but it was no use as it was, and I wanted to use it as a experiment. At least I know NEVER to refire a piece with a hairline crack! LOL

[@jorgealves9120]

Kintsugi is a technical japanese pottery art that can make you "repair" that plate. You can have stunning results about that

[@FarForestCeramics]

I love that technique although I've never thought about trying it myself. Maybe in the future, who knows. So many new things to learn isn't there.

[@lisaberry2894]

What is your “cosmic glaze”you referred to?

[@FarForestCeramics]

Hi, it's 3 coats of Mayco Birch, top 1" 3 x Mayco cordovan . Thin strip at top of colbalt wash x 1 coat, and then Stoneware clear over the colbalt wash x 1 coat. I do this combo a lot as its my chosen combo for my own home. Loads of examples on my Instagram account which show the application. Hope that makes sense.