June 7, 2010
Ceramic Workshop Handbook: Pottery Tools and Ceramic Studio Resources
The Ceramic Workshop Handbook: Pottery Tools and Ceramic Studio Resources is full of handy clay tools you can make in your own studio, as well as ceramic studio resources and technical references on forming, surface decoration, firing and materials. It also has a comprehensive directory of U.S. manufacturers and suppliers that provide ceramic equipment, raw materials, clay tools and ceramic supplies. Whether you're a professional or amateur, student or teacher, the Ceramic Workshop Handbook is an essential pottery tool, like a wheel or a kiln.
December 9, 2009
Hugh Jenkins’ Volcano Kiln: Recuperating Waste Heat for Efficient Firing
As a studio artist, it is often hard to spend large sums of money, even if doing so would pay off in the long run, so glass artist Hugh Jenkins set out to determine just how well he could do with a home-built heat recuperator.
December 1, 2009
Electric Firing: Creative Techniques
In Electric Firing: Creative Techniques you’ll discover the contributions of studio artists who use electric kilns. They eagerly share the results of their experiments, their research and their artistic successes. Build on what they’ve learned through the up-to-date information on processes, glazes, tools, materials and techniques they provide.
August 30, 2009
Have you wondered what wood firing would be like?
For many potters, wood is more than just a source of heat for a kiln, it's a process and even a way of life. Wood firing provides a link for ceramic artists to their surroundings and to pottery's beginnings thousands of years ago. Wood Firing: Journeys and Techniques relates the experiences of individual potters who have sought to reconnect with a basic technology in our hi-tech society, and who strive to explore and master all the possible variables this technique provides.
In this book, ceramic artists firing with wood discuss the kilns they've built, the lessons they've learned and reveal some of the ...
May 4, 2009
An Experienced Wood Firer Shares Kiln Plans for a Small Instructional Wood Kiln
In this post, experienced wood firing potter John Thies tells us about an instructional wood kiln he designed and shares his kiln plans. Plus, one of John's students shares her experience using the kiln.
April 13, 2009
Raku, Pit & Barrel: Firing Techniques
In Raku, Pit & Barrel: Firing Techniques you’ll discover some of the most beautiful alternatively fired work, as
well as extensive how-to techniques and step-by-step instructions to help you duplicate the processes in your own studio. Explore dozens of techniques and discover the many special effects available using these ancient firing methods. You’ll love the experience of working with glowing red-hot pieces in a raku kiln, uncovering pots from a pit fire or peeling the aluminum foil off your latest saggar experiment.
April 10, 2009
Raku Firing: Advanced Techniques
This updated and revised Ceramic Arts Handbook edition of Advanced Raku Techniques contains information on forming, glazes and glazing, kiln construction and firing, as well as inspirational stories from some of the most influential raku artists working today. For any potter who has experienced the excitement and immediacy of the raku process, this book is a must.
January 5, 2009
Clay: A Studio Handbook
Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in ceramics, author Vince Pitelka has created the most practical, all-inclusive studio handbook for students, studio artists, educators and all those interested in the art of clay. The ten chapters in Clay: A Studio Handbook address the full range of ceramic processes, and bring a lifetime of ceramic knowledge directly into the hands of potters. Concerned about safe and efficient studio operation, Pitelka pays diligent attention to safety practices.
December 18, 2008
updraft
Kiln in which fuel and air for combustion enter at or near the bottom of the kiln, and exhaust gases exit through a flue in the roof of the kiln, making the draft inside the kiln flow from bottom to top, in an upward direction.
December 18, 2008
power burner
Any burner in which a mechanical blower or other pressurized air source entrains the primary air for combustion.
December 17, 2008
periodic kiln; intermittent kiln
A kiln that is loaded cold, brought to temperature, cooled and unloaded. See continuous kiln.
December 17, 2008
peephole; spyhole
Small holes in kiln door or wall, allowing viewing of cones, flames, wares, and/or atmosphere during firing.
December 17, 2008
partial reduction; climbing reduction
In a fuel kiln, atmosphere that is slightly reducing, but still allows increase in temperature. See reduction firing.
December 16, 2008
stilts
Term often applied to all kiln posts, but more correctly referring to specialized refractory furniture pieces equipped with ceramic or metallic points designed to support fully glazed wares during firing.
December 16, 2008
sprung arch
Kiln arch representing less than 180 degrees of curvature, and requiring buttressing to support outward thrust of the arch.
December 16, 2008
spalling
Defect in repeatedly fired clay materials where outer layers shrink and peel away—most often occurs in kiln hot-face when refractories are repeatedly fired beyond their rated temperature.
December 16, 2008
setting
Process of loading a kiln, or technically, of placing the set. See
set.
December 5, 2008
envelope kiln
A kiln in which the firing platform is stationary, but the body of the kiln rolls out of the way horizontally on tracks. Often equipped with two firing platforms to be fired alternately.
December 5, 2008
element
Any of a group of slightly over 100 substances on earth that may exist as individual atoms, and from which all materials on earth are composed.
December 5, 2008
drawing
The removing of wares from a kiln.
December 5, 2008
draft
The flow of exhaust gases out of a fuel kiln, affecting intake of flames and secondary air.
December 5, 2008
downdraft
Kiln where exhaust gases exit through flue at floor level.
December 5, 2008
charging
Inserting or injecting a charge of chemical material into a kiln during vapor-glazing processes.
December 5, 2008
charge
A quantity of chemical material, usually salt or soda, which is inserted or injected into a hot kiln during vapor-glazing processes.
December 5, 2008
ceramic fiber
Ceramic insulating material composed of spun kaolin fibers—available in blanket form, braided tape, rigid board, and tubular flue liners. Highest insulating rating of standard refractories, but can release carcinogenic fibers.
December 5, 2008
catenary arch
A parabolic kiln arch requiring no buttressing or steel frame; laid out by hanging a chain from two points and marking the resulting curve.
December 5, 2008
castable
Short for castable refractory—a refractory mix that can be cast into molds to form kiln parts.
December 5, 2008
car kiln; shuttle kiln
Kiln where kiln floor and often the door are mounted on a car that may be rolled in and out of kiln on tracks. Sometimes has two cars, with doors in both ends of the kiln.
December 5, 2008
Bourry-box
Type of wood-kiln firebox where primary air enters at top of firebox, passes down through wood, and combustion occurs at level of grates or hobs, and is supercharged by the heat of the coal bed.
December 5, 2008
blow-off; flame-off
In burners, when speed of air/fuel mixture exiting tip of burner is greater than combustion rate—flame jumps off tip of burner and often blows out.
December 5, 2008
bisque-firing
Initial kiln firing in which clay sinters without vitrifying, and though very porous, will no longer soften in water.
December 5, 2008
bell kiln
A kiln with a stationary floor but where the kiln body can be raised upwards on vertical tracks, making it easy to load and unload large forms.
November 21, 2008
Roman arch
Kiln arch that forms a perfect half circle, with the arch beginning and ending on a horizontal surface, using no skew bricks.
November 5, 2008
Soda, Clay and Fire
For anyone interested in soda or salt firing, Soda, Clay and Fire covers the topic in great detail. The technical research and presentation surpass all existing literature on the topic, and the rich, vibrant examples of finished work are stunning and sure to inspire. With soda firing, the creative process continues until the kiln is turned off. Nichols' book discusses the principles behind this technique and delves into clays, glazes, loading protocols, firing schedules and more. Also included are profiles of other artists working with this technique and examples of their work.
January 1, 2008
The Kiln Book
The heat is on
No matter what type of kiln you plan
to build or what type of fuel you plan to use, The Kiln Book
will help you understand what it takes to successfully harness the heat
you need to fire your work and get the effects you're looking for.
Fred
Olsen is one of the leading pioneers in explaining everything about kilns to
the studio potter and his book is one of the best references on the
topic. This book covers it ...
January 1, 2008
Electric Kiln Ceramics
Ceramists choosing to work in home studios are praising the safety, convenience and economical benefits of the electric kiln. Now in its third edition,
Electric Kiln Ceramics helps the ceramist create work exclusively
intended for firing in the electric kiln. This valuable guide is an
exhaustive review of clays, glazes and techniques designed to benefit
the seasoned professional, as well as the less technically educated
beginner. Renowned ceramist and respected author, Richard Zakin
provides information on kiln construction, routine maintenance, loading
and firing, the influence of firing temperatures and the application of
oxidation surfaces. State-of-the-art health and safety concerns are
also addressed, including the kiln atmosphere and the strengths and
weaknesses of the oxidation atmosphere. Recipes for commercial and
homemade ...
July 6, 2007
Wood Firing: Journeys and Techniques
For many potters, wood is more than just a source of heat for a kiln, it is a process. Wood firing can provide a link for ceramic artists to their surroundings and to pottery¹s beginnings thousands of years ago. This new handbook shares the experiences of individual potters who have sought to reconnect with a basic technology in our hi-tech society and who want to explore and master all the possible variables that this technique provides for the creative process. This book describes some of the technical, safety, and physical challenges of wood firing through first-hand accounts and interviews with potters. These are their personal stories, and in telling them, they share their lessons learned and much of their technical ...
