Monday, November 24, 2014

fun little surprize





Yesterday I was looking through my new December 2014 issue of Sunset Magazine.  There was an article on a beautiful Washington home.  The photo of the kitchen caught my eye because there was lovely open shelves for the dishes instead of cupboards,   I looked a little closer and noticed two pieces of my pottery sitting on the kitchen counter.   


Made me smile :-)

DirtKicker Pottery Sunflower Honey Pot
 and French Butter Keeper

Happy Clay Days!

©Cindy Gilliland

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Christmas Kiln is Cooling

Christmas making and glazing are finished.  Kiln is cooling. 



Even though it's time to get into selling mode, my thoughts are still filled with making pottery.  I'm getting excited for 2015.  What new designs will God inspire?  I plan to utilizing my spray booth a lot more.   It's fast and kind of exciting to spray glaze.  

Aurora Borealis Mugs

If you missed out on my Aurora Borealis Mugs, I'll begin listing more in my DirtKicker Pottery Etsy Shop this week, along with lots of other great pieces!


Bisque load from a 10 cubic foot kiln.

Stay warm and happy clay days!

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Kiln Vent Motor Replacement and Baking Oatmeal Cookies


L&L Kiln Sure-vent

4 years ago John installed a Sure-vent on my 10 cubic foot L&L Easy Fire Kiln.  It made a HUGE difference in my glaze results.  Less pinholing, brighter colors plus my elements have a longer life.    

Over the past year the vent motor had become very noise.  Last firing it sounded like I had a subwoofer hooked up to my kiln.   I also noticed that the last couple glaze kilns had several pieces with pin holes.    It turned out that the fan had zero air movement.   I ordered a new motor and John installed it.   I took a photo to show what 4 years of firing did to the motor.  

The kiln is firing bisque today with the new vent motor.  Its so quiet!!!!   I have no doubt that my glaze firing will be pinhole free.

While the kiln is firing, I'm making Everything Oatmeal cookies.    I had to show off my pretty new cookie sheet.  I love to bake this time of year.  It makes the house smell so good.
Everything Oatmeal Cookies 
ready to go in the oven

1.5 sticks of butter
3/4 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup of white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
-
1.5 cups of flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon 
3 cups old fashioned oats
-
3/4 cup Craisins
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 cup semi sweet choc chips

bake 350° 8-10 minutes

Excellent with Tea!  
BTW, this dough freezes well.