should I buy a kiln

On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 08:09:00 -0800, Shirlawn wrote: ...

yes the more i think about this, i am thinking of just firing my stuff at the local ceramics store that will let me use the whole kiln for my stuff for $20. They say their kiln is BIG. I am figuring out quickly that it will take me some time to produce enough pieces for a kiln firing, so i think i will just enjoy my wheel, fire a load now and then at that store's kiln. I can easily do test firings of glazes on pieces of clay at my college's kiln (I am a tenured full time biology teacher and i know the ceramics instructors; but i do not want to get involved with the politics of using their kiln regularly for larger pieces).

Shirlawn, if you use MS-Windows, you likely have Mozilla, Netscape, or MS-Outlook Express for email; if so, it is much easier to do usenet newsgroups like this that way than with google. SOme people are unaware that MS-Outlook or Netscape/Mozilla email programs also do newsgroups like this. Check it out if you have not already done so, it is pretty cool and very efficient and faster posts than with Google Groups. Of course Google is browser based which is nice for doing this anywhere on any computer.

Why not crank out a whole bunch of small pieces--mugs, tumblers, bowls, whatever, that you use for glaze testing? Keep notes on what piece has what glaze or glaze combo, and fire a load with just these pieces. Then, you can have ready samples on hand for future reference and/or useful pieces for yourself or to give away.

Deb R.

Depending on how far you intend to go with your pottery, I think buying the larger kiln was a good idea. My first kiln was the large Olympic 2827 and the first time I loaded it I thought it would take me forever to make enough pieces to fill it up but now I've outgrown the one kiln and am saving uo to purchasing a second. As your throwing skills improve so will your speed and not only that but your pieces will get larger as well. For me anyway it would have been a waste of money to purchase a smaller kiln to just have to turn around and buy the large one in a few months time.

In the meantime you can adjust your kiln settings to fire a partial load. I have an electronic controller on my kiln so making such adjustments would be different for me than for you. Ask somebody with a kiln sitter what you can do for partial loads.

Of course if you just have a couple hours a week to devote to pottery then maybe the smaller kiln or rented kiln space is good for you. Of course another option is to keep taking classes---always a good thing---and then you'll always have access to a kiln (just not always when you want it or need it).