46. Kiln Opening - Trying something new.... building a Village!

Throwback to May 23 Kiln opening which I've only now got round to editing and uploading!
My first two years since I first picked up clay have been focusing mainly on throwing and some small projects of hand building with drape moulds. However I was keen to try my throwing clay to see how it handled with some hand building and also to try something different.
I wanted to build my own little Far Forest Village with a church, little houses, barn and some trees. Something I could add to, different sizes and build on. My first attempt were a very simple form with no base but it inspired me to try some with a base and add detail of steps and flowers around the door and playing with texture. This kiln opening is the results of my developed village production including trees and forestry. Lots of tests in here, but testing out different glazes and textures.
I can confirm that the incense burners were a failure! LOL. I didn't add a hole for the draft to be created! I tried to drill a hole in the back, one survived, the rest were casualties, and I have to admit did not really like them. So its fair to say, don't think I will be making more of those!
I've since had so many requests for my Far Forest Village where people want to start a collection and add to it, so I've been trying our ore styles and took them to my craft fayres. Love how many people also love them, and that I can play and be creative but make each and every one different. Many also go through a third firing to add some gold lustre on highlights.
Apologies for the delay in uploading, working my way through and hope to get back up posting weekly soon.
Thanks as always for the encouragement, support and interest in my developing hobby that is my absolute happy place! Goal for 2024 is to get my website finished and maybe pluck up the courage to sell online. One step at a time LOL!
#farforestceramics #potteryhouse #ceramichouse #ceramicvillage #potteryvillage #handbuilding #kilnopening #myhappyplace #potteryproject #potteryluminaire #luminaire #handmadeluminaire

[@purpleturt1]

When you said May, I thought, “how did I miss this??!” I just love what you do ❤👍

[@FarForestCeramics]

Lol, I had a tough year in 2023 losing my georgous Dad. Pottery was my therapy and really helped me through the months but didn't seem to find the mojo to do the editing and social media. So 2024 my mind is focused and I'm slowly working through some old footage not yet loaded xx

[@walkerpottery9296-Natalie]

@@FarForestCeramicsI’m so sorry you lost your father. How nice it must feel to have the things he made for your studio all around you….bittersweet I’m sure. You’re surrounded in his love while you do what you love. 💜xx

[@aprilowens160]

Those tea light houses are adorable!! I love them!

[@FarForestCeramics]

Thankyou, I'm really enjoying the whole process to make, but seeing them lit up in a darkened room was so magical! I need to make sure construction is underway for the village to expand. May need to apply for planning permission LOL

[@AudreyLynnStudios]

The houses and trees are beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

[@FarForestCeramics]

Thanks so much, I really enjoyed making them, and want to expand on the village now LOL

[@ceramicsbyjulia8552]

Hi Jeanette, wonderful to see a kiln opening from you again 😊 Ahhh such a kiln load of cuteness, love all the houses and thought they looked so beautiful all around the kiln too, what a gorgeous village. The trees are all very sweet too, I would love to see a whole scene all lit up. Love the cross on the church too. So happy to see you opening your kiln and getting excited❤❤

[@FarForestCeramics]

Thanks Julia. This was filmed in May 2023 last year, slowly catching up on editing footage. Started to add gold lustre now too on highlights. Loving that process! Really enjoying being back in the studio and trying as hard as I can to post a KZbin each week, but it's not as easy is it lol x

[@walkerpottery9296-Natalie]

Lovely designs Jeanette! The houses are charming & the sea salt glazed tree was my favorite. You’re such an inspiration seeing all you create and in your organization of every single detail. Seeing your excitement is still contagious….every time! Feels like I’m there with you jumping up & down! 😅 I’d call that kiln unloading a HUGE success! 💜 xx

[@FarForestCeramics]

Awh thanks for such a kind message! I was thrilled with this kiln opening, and my brain can't help but start to think of different adaptations, techniques and ways to develop. My organisation is something I have no control over LOL, in pottery it has many uses but in daily life it can become an irritation LOL. Thanks for jumping up and down with me , that really makes me feel good. Its a wonderful feeling when you open a kiln isn't it, even the mistakes :) Thanks as always for your support. xx

[@austinhennagirl]

these are very beautiful

[@FarForestCeramics]

Thankyou so much. Enjoyable to make and really delighted at the results too. Interested to make more in different shapes and styles now ;)

[@barbarac4138]

Very nice

[@FarForestCeramics]

Thankyou.

[@frauscharflein3070]

Liebe Jeanette, Deine Bäume und Häuser sind wunderschön geworden! Großes Kompliment, habe selten so saubere Arbeit bei Lichthäusern gesehen. Wenn Du Räucherhäuser töpferst, solltest Du unbedingt auf einer Seite unten eine Öffnung machen, damit sich ein Luftstrom bilden kann. Sonst wird ein Räucherkegel leider nicht räuchern, denn er bekommt keine Luft. Oben beim Schornstein das Loch auch nicht zu klein machen. Ein guter Luftstrom ist das Wichtigste für das Räuchern 😉… Ich habe auch lange probiert, bis ich das richtige Maß fand. Etliche meiner Häuser musste ich als Deko „ohne Räuchereffekt“ verkaufen 😂… Liebe Grüße aus dem Norden von Deutschland, Ines 🤗

[@FarForestCeramics]

Thankyou for the lovely message and kind compliments. You are correct , my incense burners failed miserably because I did not add a hole :( my chimney was too small also. I drilled a hole in one, but it still didn't work. Two I broke trying to drill a hole. Oh well, was worth a try lol. Kindest wishes to Germany from UK.

[@pamdorneman888]

Very pretty but you may need air holes at the bottom for the incense ho uses. I learned the hard way

[@FarForestCeramics]

Sadly you are 100% right. They failed for that exact reason. I tried to drill in holes but broke 2. The one I managed to drill a hole in but it still didn't smoke as I'd hoped. Oh well, Mark that one down to experience lol

[@micheledickey4066]

I had to watch this twice!! I sooooo love the little village!!! The colors are just PERFECT!!!! The one tree you didn’t like I just love, but I know you so it’s really up to you of course! I would love to know how you made them all such similar sizes! I know you made templates, of course, but did you make them or download? Love this soooo much!! I’d do a few open windows since the incense is supposed to come out well and it needs quite a bit of air as well for the fire to continue on the cone. And Just a reminder the glazes won’t run by themselves. I wonder if you used the copper wash if it would show in the textures of the houses like the sea salt looks on the one tree!

[@FarForestCeramics]

Awh Michele, youre a sweetie, thanks so much for the encouragement and support, from across the pond too! I am thoroughly enjoying developing my little village , they look so adorable when lit up in the evening. You're absolutely right on the incense houses, rookie error, needed a backflow hole! I may develop that further but if I had a window and the smoke comes out it makes me think the house may be on fire LOL I made the trees on a waffle/ice cream wooden mould I purchased from amazon, made my own template after a few attempts, and then I now have a foam template I use that I made. There are some reels on Instagram showing me using it. I'll see if I can find the link. www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08Z36NL2L/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I still think the glaze will run on my shelf as I apply so thick sometimes, but it rarely does. I'm nervous to risk putting things directly on the kiln shelf! If its just one glaze and 3 coats can that go straight onto the shelf directly? Hmmm Copper Wash on the trees, that may be interesting to try...may give that one a go. I love how the seasalt works on the bulbous trees though - need to think what to call them 'bulbous' doesnt seem to work!

[@micheledickey4066]

@@FarForestCeramics I promise the glaze won’t run all by itself. I know you have a bunch of test tiles. Use three coats of glaze on a piece and really load it up but just apply it to the top half but use an underglaze pencil to mark exactly where the glaze is on the test tile and you will see it doesn’t move. Of course the crystals will melt and move. Watch Sarah Walton pottery on how she throws her kiln cookies. You can make the middle as high as you want and they will save your shelves. The little copies that you put under things isn’t really going to save your shelves if the glaze drips. You need cookies that are a bit bigger around than your pot. That’s so funny about the smoke coming out of the windows!! Hahaha. Sorry they didn’t work but you learned something new so that’s awesome.

[@corryg6403]

Nice load I perfer any of the textured trees over the smooth ones

[@FarForestCeramics]

Thankyou, I have to agree with you, whilst the textured 'snow capped' trees took ages to make, I do adore them most! Need to find a quicker way to make them now if I can LOL

[@corryg6403]

@@FarForestCeramics I seen some where on you tube that they made the cone trees and than used scissors to cut the branches on an upward angle not sure if that makes sence lol but it works

[@corryg6403]

@@FarForestCeramics Ifound the video if you want it

[@FarForestCeramics]

@@corryg6403 ahhhh, that's a good idea. May have to give that a try. I'm guessing it will be important to have the moisture level of the clay 'just right'. Thanks so much.

[@FarForestCeramics]

@@corryg6403 yeah! Thanks.