: Mark C. - Viewing Profile

Welcome aboard Heidi
Seeing how this thread has gone so far sideways I can maybe bring it around.
I do a lot of albacore fishing each summer and trolling is a good thing not a negitive thing.
We troll for goodness with tuna. I have been call a tuna head for years.
so see a troll can be a great asset.
On another note seeings as you are in Washington State come drop by my booth at the Anacortes Art Festival -1st weekend in August-put a face to the name etc. Bring the husband as I like trolling and a good one who mixes glazes and clay is indeed a rare catch.
As you said being part of the community is really what its all about.
Mark

My success at functional ceramics is to offer as many forms as I can at a show. I make about 40 forms now. When folks ask for something I do not make I will need about 50 or more requests to consider it as then when I do make that form another slower selling form drops off my list.
Honey post have always been on the make list but are never big sellers. I have seen less and less potters make them these days. I used to keep bees so I still use honey and make the pots.
Mark

My only Guess and its just a guess is you have some larger gaps in the kiln sections or lid. If its 5o degrees outside and in a small pole barn I could see it warming that space but a 100 degrees seems a lot with all that venting. When the kiln is up to full temps say over 1400 you should not see glowing red/orange anywhere without opening a spy plug. If you do have glowing gaps you will need to address them. Are the soft bricks all chipped up or is the lid falling apart?How flat are the the top ring of bricks??where they meet the lid?
Mark

I few more details about where the kiln is? Was the outside temp 98 degrees? does the door open to outside air?
Mark

The one thing I have learned in 40 years of shows is there is no predicting what will sell best.
Last weekend for me it was sponge holders and mugs .
Mark