Hot Stuff! and patiently waiting

This was a long and hot firing. This kiln firing took from Thursday 2.00pm until Friday 1.00pm to finish its cycle. 
I can't wait to get it out as I have some chunky black tiles that Ive made for my windowsills in there, amongst other things.
Its sneaky peeks until then. These are photos taken during cooling but still too hot to touch its all at about 250c right now.

Filling the kiln can sometimes take a while, its always a good feeling when its cooled down enough to peep inside to take a quick look, its an even better feeling when you empty the kiln and find that all your hard work has paid off, and you don't have any warpage, cracks and crawls on your work.

Filling the kiln over recent times has mainly consisted of commissions and replenishing stock for my shops, all great if the work has fired well. Yet not so exciting as I already know what I'm going to find in there. This is why I always try a little experiment or test a new glaze or make a piece to use in my home somehow.
 This way I get a little surprise everytime the kiln is fired.

My new brush pot

Garden Planters and Pockets

Just out of the kiln are these stoneware garden planters, always a gardeners favourite and great for displaying smaller plant species such as Alpines and succulents.

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/littlebrickhouseceramics/product/damask-stoneware-garden-planter

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/littlebrickhouseceramics/product/handmade-sculptural-garden-planter

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/littlebrickhouseceramics/product/handmade-ceramic-wall-planter

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/littlebrickhouseceramics/product/leaf-stem-stoneware-plant-pocket

All high fired and frost proof, can be left outside year round!

Back to work!

Well thats my summer gone, Im back at school tomorrow for the new Autumn term and Ive already started taking orders again and have been catching up with jobs in my workshop.

Im not one for cooking but I snagged these cute stampers & cutters from my daughter and thought I would make some "biscuity" clay tags with them. Ive used a croggy clay that when fired toasts around the edges, they will look quite edible when they are finished. (In the meantime I had better wash and return the stampers before she notices!)
xx

On my Holidays See ya!

Away on a little break from home, clay and work for a little camping with the family, (and a first time experience for cute pup "Gus")

Will post some lovely pics of Norfolk when I come back!
xx