Making stilts, taking photos and a kiln unloading.

Firstly how to make your own firing stilts, then a kiln unloading using the stilts and finally, how to photograph your pottery. Also where to get the supplies you need.

[@anitashearman4725]

Great videos!!! Love the view, and the glazes were fantastic!! Love to watch the kiln unloading!! Yes, all your videos are so very helpful!! Thank you, from Kansas!!

[@joycee5493]

That bowl at 16:47 is a beauty. It's stunning!!!

[@lindatortorice9356]

Landscape pieces are beautiful.

[@Vsmithpots]

Thanks Linda

[@mickihaendiges6359]

You never disappoint! I certainly need to make my own stilts!!

[@Vsmithpots]

Thanks and have fun.

[@freddiemoretti8456]

Hi Micki, hope all is well. I didn't know if everything worked out for you regarding the Vaughan's rim finisher? Vaughan just gave me another idea for a 3D print which I'm sure he could use with greater speed. Cheers...Freddie

[@triciac1019]

Love to see your garden and your smiling face. Its like seeing a friend. There is just so much to comment on. That kiln opening is like Christmas. I would probably take all day looking at everything and would want everything. Your work is an inspiration for me to try to make them. Your level of expertise is way beyond mine, and that's to be expected. I love all the landscape pieces, the jars, the cups, the mugs, the bowls, the spoons, the colors, the drizzle effect, etc. Those stilts turned out great and what a good deal to make them yourself since you use them all the time. Thank you for the idea of using jars of glaze of about eight and putting it in bowls to create the landscape pieces. I will have to go back and rewatch how you did the landscape pouring and drizzling. Your studio will be beyond jam packed at this stage. You will need more display shelves! Such a perfect kiln opening and so very many pieces. I looked it up and it would take me 29 hrs and 50 minutes to drive there from Utah. Maybe some day. That ocean view is so peaceful. Thank you for sharing!

[@Grinder11xx]

Ditto to everything said. I feel your videos are above the others because of what you create and because of your voice!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge sir! P.S. your kiln openings are awesome in particular the faceted mugs in the beautiful temoku glaze.

[@cpnotill9264]

@@Grinder11xx Double ditto to what you both said! I so love learning from Vaughan and he is a great teacher with so much experience/talents to share. We truly are fortunate and thank you again Vaughan!

[@Vsmithpots]

@@cpnotill9264 Thanks for everything said, just passing on knowledge while I can.

[@taniatownsend8309]

Love your stilt glee….”making do and mending” is one of my favourite parts of being a potter.

[@Vsmithpots]

Jack of all trades is a must these days.

[@denisenoble4010]

landscape plates are very nice, the temoko gold is a beautiful glaze, ive just watched your cannister video so its good to see them comeout of the kiln. All your big bowls are beautiful

[@njanderson4342]

Woah! This was full of great results.

[@deepashtray5605]

As a starving artist I've learned that 304 stainless has a melting temperature starting at 2550F, which is ridiculously high. And with a little bit of scavenging it hasn't been too difficult to find stainless steel nails for the cost of pulling them out of old wood fencing. Found out about stainless while researching using refractory cement for a kiln build.

[@Vsmithpots]

I will see what the cost of small nails is at the hardware store.

[@deepashtray5605]

@@Vsmithpots Buying them new is actually a bit pricey, around $10 U.S. dollars/pound, but would certainly work if you needed them in a pinch.

[@sherigoodremont3823]

I am so glad your doing this video❤️

[@Vsmithpots]

Thanks

[@EmiEmi-is3ui]

Very interesting , raw content - as always.. Those stilts may end up to be better than the originals. Please update us on how long they last. Thank you for this beautiful video, lots of knowledge and very entertaining..

[@Vsmithpots]

Three firings on them this week and they are great.

[@EmiEmi-is3ui]

@@Vsmithpots , that's perfect!

[@susanvalleauderby2934]

Beautiful glazes as always! Some pieces look almost bronze in some areas, just lovely. I too am inspired to try stilts, I have some sculpture clay I think will work, it is very groggy 🤞. Your canisters turned out beautifully, great fitting lids! Thanks for the photography tips as well - so much in this one video 🙂

[@Vsmithpots]

Thanks Susan, I have some sculpture clay but I used #60 grog clay from Laguna.

[@xm3364]

Learn much from your video demonstration and replying to my questions. Happy Teacher's Day!!

[@micheledickey4066]

Wow that tile cutter is an amazing idea! A friend was accidentally sent some raku clay so I am planning on trying this with that clay since it can take so much heat work. I have stilts that are only low fire so this will be really helpful!

[@Vsmithpots]

Glad it helps, make sure the raku clay can go high enough.

[@micheledickey4066]

@@Vsmithpots Oh yes it’s cone 10 so that better be enough since my clay is a cone 6!

[@user-zk9ji7lr1o]

so so so beautiful 😀

[@raygeorge4553]

thank you Vaughan, I am in my first year of pottery and have found your content invaluable. :)

[@Vsmithpots]

I am happy to help, let me know what tips you need.

[@raygeorge4553]

@@Vsmithpots my greatest challenge has been getting glaze fits with different clays. I only use stoneware and have a new electric Narbertherm Kiln. It has automatic settings as well as manual but I haven't been game to try and fiddle with it. Im getting crazing with some clear glaze sometimes and pin holing with some gloss glazing? thank you for any tips in advance as I know there are so many variables. 🧐🥴

[@Vsmithpots]

@@raygeorge4553 Crazing can be stopped by raising the firing temperature, the clay needs to be higher fired to make it put compression on the glaze layer. Or you can try adding silica or Lithium to the glaze but that gets complicated. There are several ways to correct crazing. However, changing only one material may change the appearance of the glaze, making it more glossy or matte. A reliable method is to increase both the silica (flint or quartz) and clay in the ratio 1.25:1 silica to clay. Simply put I would experiment by adding clay and silica in small amounts to your glaze until the glaze does not craze. If you are lucky you could just apply the glaze thinner and it will stop the crazing. I don't know the kiln you have, it must be European. I assume the manual will explain it.

[@raygeorge4553]

@@Vsmithpots Yes German. Thank you Vaughan I will start experimenting and get a 10 year old to explain my manual that came with the kiln. lol too high tech for this old girl! Cheers and thanks again for your speedy reply :) 😘

[@Vsmithpots]

@@raygeorge4553 Good luck reading, it will be worth it. It may be the same as here which is fairly straight forward if you do cone fire mode.

[@richardtaylor2361]

My freinds say " Oh you make such nice pottery". I tell them "thank you" ,If you want to see what a professional potter can do, Look up Vaughn Smith.

[@Vsmithpots]

Thank you. It only took 50 years.

[@kimburnham7317]

Thank you! Nice job!

[@neilahalter9663]

Always excited about seeing your new wares and thanks for how to make stilts. Thanks again

[@mavisdavisify]

I am very impressed by the results of your glaze layers. The plates certainly remind me of landscapes. The mixed layers give so much more interest than one flat color.

[@Vsmithpots]

Thanks

[@jackiemorrison2661]

Beautiful kiln load

[@conniemezzo9370]

Another very helpful and interesting video! Thank you! I love the Cove Series Winter plates. The dark blue glaze night sky is perfect! On one of your previous videos you suggested putting a brick under your left foot while on the wheel.... Genius tip! My back feels so much better after a throwing session. My body feels much more stable and centered (no pun intended 🤗) while I'm on my wheel. My back and I thank you !!!!!

[@Vsmithpots]

Then I will show you my chair which is raised up 2 1/2 inches on the back two legs. It helps place your body over the wheel with out bending your back.

[@MRC11221]

What would you do without oatmeal? It does result in beautiful items. How do you make the spoons? They are really interesting.

[@Vsmithpots]

They are in the video on sheep jars about a month ago.

[@studiopotternancy]

Thanks for the great info. Really helpful as always!

[@Vsmithpots]

Thanks for saying so.

[@Hannah-lz4mu]

Moc zdravím Nové Skotsko 👋vše velmi krásné ale nejvíc mi čarujou všechny mísy....úžasné spojení barev....krásné léto přeji a moc nepracujte a užívejte sluníčka...už se to pomalu zase kloní k 🍃 😊😉

[@Vsmithpots]

Děkuji, přeji všem krásné léto a krásný podzim.

[@jroc8711]

Love your work as always! I started using stilts when after watching your videos, and I could never find them so I've always made mine. If you can't find the pins, you can buy low gauge Nickel Chromium wire for cheap and use wire cutters to cut your own!

[@Vsmithpots]

Thanks, I have enough pins for the next two years of stilts. I think my stilts are stronger than the commercial ones. I also bought a roll of wire to make some. Winter will be the time to do that job.

[@jenniferlee330]

Love your work . I’m going to try the stilts,Jennifer from Downunder

[@Vsmithpots]

Thanks again, I am very happy with them.

[@timothymccarthy7747]

There is a way to put the nob part on the lid, from throwing on a bom bomb shape. But, that's more for a teapot. Because the pot part could use handles too.

[@Vsmithpots]

Funny you say that, you will see those in my teapot video coming soon.

[@timothymccarthy7747]

@@Vsmithpots I just brought it up because a handle is a cozy spot for a hand to manipulate a pot. And, if you roll a bone shape and flatten before you attach and pull it makes a more structural lug. And more ascetic than a wad. Or that can also be added after it is set up some. Your jars are looking good without lugs on the body part anyway.

[@timothymccarthy7747]

@@Vsmithpots I used to walk into the pottery studio with just that on my mind, minus a video camera.

[@skrejbulgar174]

That apple green over oatmeal sure does make a lovely muted color contrast. I like how it makes such soft yet distinct color contrast. Are those Advancer kiln shelves?

[@Vsmithpots]

Yes Advancers, the apple green is so nice in the gas kiln.

[@claudiawolter6633]

Thank you so much, I need stilts

[@carolynadkins1662]

Thanks for the wonderful demo ! Do you make your own football white glaze? It’s gorgeous. If so, do you share glaze recipes? As always, love the videos.

[@Vsmithpots]

I have put my glaze recipes in my videos, if you look back through this years videos you should find it. Thanks.

[@marymacdonald3506]

Thank you Vaughan. You mentioned in the past a different way to make spoons? Do you have that video? Mary

[@Vsmithpots]

Not yet, I will try and add it to my list.

[@gregorydobrowolski1936]

❤

[@helenamtanasovici]

❤❤❤👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@skrejbulgar174]

I looked up the pins on their website, thinking I might try making some stilts, but the pins they currently sell very clearly state they're only good up to Cone 5 (2190 F). However, you generally fire to Cone 6 electric, I believe, and obviously have no issues with that temp. Just curious if maybe the current stock is a lower temp than the ones you have or something. Any insight? Guess that's only about 10 degrees difference, though.

[@melrussell7830]

Wow love the stilts Vaughan, did you just fire them once in the gas glaze firing ?

[@Vsmithpots]

Fired three times this week.

[@PennyRitz]

For the stilts -- I have just ordered some of the pins you suggested. When you make them, do you push the pins all the way through the clay pad to make them even? Also, do you fire them before you use them (Never mind, I read where you bisque then before using!)? And when you use them, do you still wax the bottoms of your pots? Such gorgeous ware, thanks so much for sharing your expertise!

[@jackiemorrison2661]

Just ordered the stilt pins! Thank you so much.. so Vaughn, we just bisque fire them right?

[@marciasilviajohnson6461]

Did you bisque fired the stilts before you use them? 🤗

[@Vsmithpots]

Yes

[@marciasilviajohnson6461]

@@Vsmithpots thank you from Vancouver BC 😁

[@rondacorkhill1654]

Did you put the stilts through bisque first before using them?

[@Vsmithpots]

yes

[@suebielecki473]

Again as always, thank you for your responses. I did a “dummy” yesterday and grabbed my non-bisque d cup by the handle and it broke in several pieces. My Q, can I make a new handle, fire handle & cup separately then glue when done? Or after glazing the 2 pieces? I am so new at this, and so far I am bad. I am watching your videos over an over to learn,

[@Vsmithpots]

Sorry to say it is quicker to make a new cup. There is a product called "Patchattach" that allows you to re attach small broken pieces. You can get it at Baileys Pottery.

[@suebielecki473]

Thank you.

[@mavisdavisify]

I tried this. Made the stilts, bisque fired them but the pins bent in the glaze fire. I didn’t put anything overly heavy on the stilts. I’m thinking I needed a lower gauge Nichrome wire. Vaughn, what gauge wire can handle cone 6?

[@Vsmithpots]

I bought the pins from National Artcraft in Cleveland Ohio, pre cut for ease. They are pretty thick.

[@sabineperko4164]

Did you ever think about preparing a sauerkraut pott?

[@Vsmithpots]

I have made them, you just need to make a heavy disc that sits inside on the cabbage. Make sure you use a food safe glaze with lots of silica in it.

[@pamwilliams9744]

what about using a triangular cookie cutter for making stilts? And can't you just use high fire wire and cut it yourself?

[@Vsmithpots]

Yes you can, just takes a bit more time.

[@mattg7890]

Do you have any canisters still for sale? The ones at about 25:20 mark. Thank you

[@Vsmithpots]

I will take a look in the morning, send me an email and I will send you some photos. [e-mail]

[@hherring1360]

It looks like the wires are only qualified to cone 5. Do you think they will hold up to cone 6 oxidation? Thanks.

[@Vsmithpots]

I have used mine three times and they are better than the bought stilts, to cone 6

[@hherring1360]

Thanks!

[@joprabhu384]

Am just wondering- I have to keep jam and sugar jars in a saucer filled with water to keep away the pesky ants. I keep lizards from climbing up my steps by having a rough coconut fiber mat by the bottom step. Is there a way to make the lowest layer of your jars rough like sandpaper so ants and critters won't climb up? Just asking :)

[@Vsmithpots]

There is a product called Home Defence from Home Depot that you spray around the perimeter wall of your house, inside and out. It keeps insects and bugs from passing over it, it does not kill them, just puts them off from passing over it. Lizards? You need a cat, a really young female cat. Or just move to Nova Scotia, no lizards.😀

[@heididerksen8227]

Thanks Vaughan how big is the tile....4 or 5inchs wide.

[@Vsmithpots]

About that size, it does not matter, bigger tile, more stilts.

[@heididerksen8227]

@@Vsmithpots ok I figured out I'll just do a bunch of sizes for different size pottery

[@aliciabrocal2212]

DIVINOS AHORA LE PREGUNTO SR QUE PASTA USA USTED PARA HACER SUS ZANCOS ??? ES PARA ALTA TEMPERATURA??

[@Vsmithpots]

Es cono 6-8 arcilla, 1260 Centígrados

[@janeneh.3093]

What do you write on the back of your dishes besides your name??

[@Vsmithpots]

LaHave Nova Scotia.