Over the past few months Catherine and I have made various modifications to our kiln at Phantassie. These include enlarging the exit flues, raising the height of the chimney, adding extra insulation, building pre-heated air inlets to the sidestoke area and creating a stepped internal floor -all of which we hoped would make it easier to reach top temperature and to achieve the results we are after. Last week we finished stacking pots in the modified kiln and spent three days firing it for the second time.
We were blessed with perfect weather and the kiln was certainly much easier to control and fire.
Were the results worth the effort? We will have to wait and see when we crack the kiln open this evening. The video below gives a glimpse of the firing process.
Artroot – Open studios
Artroot -Dunbar and District’s first ever Open Studios event is taking place over the weekend of 24/25th September. Thirty four or so local artists opening their studios and selling their work. We had hoped to have fired the kiln again so that we could sell pots fresh from the fire, but it wasn’t to be.
Nonetheless, Catherine and I will be splitting ourselves between the studio and the kiln over the weekend with pots for sale at both venues. In the basement studio at 27 High St., Dunbar, one or other of us will be throwing and assembling pots while at the kiln there will be the chance to take a look inside as we start to load for the next firing.
Access to the kiln is from Phantassie Steading, just to the east of East Linton, where there is ample parking. Just follow the signs. Alternatively, slightly longer but a pleasant walk on a fine day, follow the path to Phantassie Doocot from Preston Mill.
We hope to see you there, or here.
First Firing!
Well, we got there in the end, a few weeks later than planned. We are just starting to get to know the kiln and will be making a few tweaks to the chimney, the packing and the firing schedule to get better ashing and reduction in the bottom of the kiln next time. Watch this space.
