Following some sage advice from my long term mentor Jo Dove ,who visited us last weekend, I now have a selection of pottery vessels worthy of the name ceramics.
I have completed a second glaze firing and I am making progress. Glazes that were previously painted on have now been dipped and ladelled on and the thicker application has given results that are far more promising.
There seems always to be a downside; on this occasion the collateral damage has been that a couple of the more interesting glazes have run a little, meaning I will be chipping a little glaze off my kiln shelf. Lesson learned to keep these to the top half of any future pots.
Below is a selection of photos from this more successful firing, of porcelain and white stoneware, which I hope I can replicate going forward.
I am really interested to hear any comments on favourite colours or shapes which i might pursue in future projects.
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14
They are lovely! And I admire you for the persistence in your craft. I also just adore the cow and the coasters are very cool. If pressed, I could narrow down my favorites to 2, 5, 7, 8, and 10. It’s the depth and mixes of colour in these that perhaps draw me to them the most. Glad to see you and Suzie doing well!
Hi David, not coasters I’m afraid they are only test tiles 2″ square however i do intend making larger version in future. I will need to invest in some green beige to back them! Your comments coincide with some of the other feedback so I know I must be doing something right. Rgds Peter
Ah, I didn’t realize the size of those tiles. I’m glad I said something helpful! 🙂
7 and 10 my faves!
Hi Denise, thanks for the feedback, 7 includes the addition of copper oxide in the stripes, I shall make sure i repeat this in future. The orange glaze is a little unpredictable but i hope to produce more work with it if I can make it more stable.
They’re all lovely, Peter! But I like the blues and greens best – and especially the one that has blue and green. Not so keen on the red. As to designs, my favourites are: 1,2, 3, 4, 8, 14. Well done!
Hi Debbie, The blue green effect is achieved by dipping the pot into the same glaze twice, as you say it does produce a very pleasant colour mix. 1 and 3 are finer porcelain pieces which I will definitely be making again. Thanks for your feedback it has been very helpful.
Hi Peter, not so keen on no. 10 for colour but that is just my preference. Loving the blue and green hues. I like the shape of the jug, no. 2. It looks like you are doing really well.
Hi Lynne, many thanks for leaving your comments. A lot of people like the green . / blue colours, they work particularly well on the finer porcelain pieces which i will be making more of in the future. By the way the jug does pour well, Suzie tested it!
Hi Peter!
1, 3, 5 and 12 would be my favourites. Strangely I love the irregular shape of no.1 but at the same time the smoothness of a classic no.3.
I did think/ hoped that no.12 are coasters but they are not!!they are just gorgeous!!
The mug is beautiful and the depth of its colour mesmerising.
Hi Iza, as I said on Facebook, I will repeat the tiles larger and on white stoneware to see if they come up as well as the small porcelain ones. 1 and 3 are also porcelain, the rest stoneware. Thanks for the feedback and I will get onto those tiles!
Love 7 and 8 Peter, the name twoblue is fab!
When testing glazes or adding extra on the rim, fire on old tiles that have been batt washed. Might be worth putting an extra layer of batt wash on the shelves when you’ve finished chipping…..?
Jo x
Hi Jo, hope you didn’t mind the “little bird” reference, I thought it was inspired :-). I also really liked the two blue effect which was the result of the same glaze with a double dip on the top. Thanks for the advice in your comments on runny glazes, I will make up some tiles for protecting kiln shelves. i’ll keep you updated on any other successes / failures as the weeks go by x
Hi Peter,
I really love the colour and shape of number 8… does it have a handle? I actually like it without one.
My Favourites have to be No.12 the tiles! I really love the turquoise, cream and black ones the best.
They are looking great… I was going to answer your question about this on FB but I couldn’t find the post. X
Hi Peter,
I really love the colour and shape of number 8… does it have a handle? I actually like it without one.
My Favourites have to be No.12 the tiles! I really love the turquoise, cream and black ones the best.
They are looking great… x
Hi Lesley, No 8 does not have a handle so it could be a toothbrush holder or a small vase. With regard to the tiles they are really quite small test pieces only 2″ square. i’m afraid there is no black tile you must mean the purple one far-right. Glad you likes the work to date I will keep posing as things progress.