Back in the rhythm
The last few weeks in the pottery have settled into a steady rhythm:
Day 1 - weigh and prepare some balls of clay
Day 2 - throw a set of pots: 8 mugs, or 10 bowls, or 12 funnels, or 15 little jugs ....
Day 3 - trim the bases and apply slip
Day 4 - carve the design, bring into the warm to dry
Then there is a period of waiting in which I might clear up a bit, prepare more clay, make some flat pieces, mix a new batch of slip, think about the next projects...
Later on there is a new rhythm for the firing cycle:
Day 1 - load the electric kiln with dried pots ready for biscuit firing which takes place overnight
Day 2 - a waiting day while the kiln cools (but I can find plenty of other jobs to do)
Day 3 - inspect, clean and glaze the new pots
Day 4 - load and fire the gas kiln for a reduction firing
The gas firing takes about 10 hours and needs regular checking, so other tasks have to be dovetailed into the day. I might start the next throwing cycle, or - sometimes - tackle tasks in the house or garden totally unrelated to pottery!
Suddenly it is the end of September and there is a fair tomorrow** so a new rhythm kicks in:
- check, photograph and pack up the new pots
- print new labels
- pack the car...
Then there'll be a break as the next fairs are booked for November: watch this space!
**Handpicked for Dorking at Crossways in Junction Rd
