…I do believe he’d have felt right at home at my studio today!

It must have been a hoot watching me trying to figure out how to program the new electric kiln today.  One of my studio mates was wanting to fire some largish sculpture up to cone 6, which meant a very slow heating ramp, and then needed a slow cool due to some pots in the very bottom of the kiln.  So, what’s the problem, 99 3/4% of you out there are saying…and it’s not really a problem if you’ve done it before, and if you’ve a mind that follows instructions and works one tiny step at a time.  But, from the time of my first programming class at Penn in 1972, I knew computers and I were not really compatible.  My mind works in leaps, and computers take little tiny baby steps, one right after the other, never missing a beat.  So, it took a good hour, but at least now I know how to do it.

And I probably shouldn’t mention my dinnerware project…I’m making square, rectangular dinnerware that needs to look a whole lot like something you’d find at Pottery Barn, but with my glazes.  (I also need a refresher course in how to say no!)  So, after the longest time, I’ve got the production molds made, but to make PB pottery, you really need a ram press.  I think the results are OK, but not what the customer wants, I’m afraid.  So, every other day, there I am at the slab roller, 8-11 am, rolling and then draping and the pounding and then niggling clay into the forms.  The things we do to get by…

So, Homer, if you’re in the neighborhood, I’ve got a project or two for you!

Meanwhile, I toil away trying to get things together for the studio show.  Making lots of small things, which I’m reminded every night, really take a toll on your back and other body parts.  Give me a 25 pound planter or bowl any day!  Oh, and getting the kilnloads glazed promises to be really tedious as well, me with my spraying three and four layers of glaze on each piece.  Homer, are you there???

Oh, and did I mention I’ve got jury duty next week?

Off to stretch, ride and cook…

Later,