I thought everyone might like to see the area in which I'm fortunate enough to play in clay.
The ceramics lab is located on the campus of Valley City State University in ND, where I once attended classes. Jerrel Holm is the ceramics instructor, and I have to say I was amazed at how clean and orderly the place is.
I've missed the studio! The first time I walked in after 10 yrs away, I realized how much I loved even the SMELL of the place! Mmmm...dussst. lol.
- The Wheel-Throwing Area. So far, I've still got a few of the wheels to check out. lol. Each is different, ya know! One of these nights I'd like to try one of the two kickwheels, too - I've never used one.
- The Work Tables. There are four 8-foot tables and a long bank of shelves along the back wall. One of the two sinks is also located in this area, as well as the instructor's dry erase board and A/V screen.
- The Glaze Room. This room is where the color lives! lol. Each 5 gallon bucket contains glazes for reduction firins. There are bins and shelves for the various minerals and compounds used in the glaze recipes. Basically, you end up with runny mud. In the kiln, the crystals in this "mud" melt to form something like glass. You've heard that glass is made from "sand", right? Similar idea.
- The Electric Kilns. I hope to become better acquainted with these one day. lol. So far, I haven't had much to do with the technical end of how my pots turn out, but I'd love to learn. I believe Jerrel fires these to Cone 6. There is a larger brick kiln in the back room that I believe we used to fire to Cone 10....don't quote me on that, though!
Sad, sad news. The split rim, inherited bottle, and bowl that I called the Devil Pot in a previous post all bit it. lol. During the bisque firing (before you glaze and fire again). Shattered I guess. Jerrel was so nice about how he told me about it. He was even intending to call!
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