greenware-- to post or not to post?

[Boondock]

Two 8in pots I made last night



ketoi, this is top-shelf, the texture is perfectly executed and the form is clean and well proportioned. Very nice!

 

[ketoi]

Thanks for the critique Boon!

This was my 1st attempt of adding texture to a thrown pot, I'll have to post a photo of my texture tools in the tips thread.

Now the tough part, do glaze, stain or leave it raw? This is always the hardest part for me.

 

[irene_b]

Now the tough part, do glaze, stain or leave it raw?

Can you explain that?
Is there a color difference when they are fired?

 

[ketoi]

Irene,
What I meant was it's always hard for me to decide on glaze color or scheme. After all the time and effort that goes into creating the pot I don't want to ruin it with a poor choice of color.

Although it is a lot easier if I making it for an intended plant as the examples below.


or stain


or just leave it the clay color

 

[Boondock]

If it were mine, I'd bisque it, then dunk it in a pail (I use a 5 gallon bucket) of manganese dioxide wash, then sponge off as much as I can, leaving the oxide in the cracks.

Here's a pot I did this technique on, just to give you an idea of what it looks like. I think bonsaibiker uses a similar technique on some of his pots.

 

[Boondock]

Now the tough part, do glaze, stain or leave it raw?

Can you explain that?
Is there a color difference when they are fired?

Stains are a commercial product, that is a mixture of minerals and chemicals that when mixed with water, (or to a base glaze) can be applied to greenware or bisqueware. Mason is the most well known manufacturer of ceramic stains.

Here's is Mason's website so you can see the pallet of colors they offer.

Oxides are less refined minerals, usually not mixed with other stuff. Oxides can be minerals mined directly from the earth, wash and milled down to a fine powder. But some, like Red Iron Oxide, can be from recycled iron or steel. So your bonsai pot's surface might be from a 1972 Buick, lol.

 

[ketoi]

Thanks for the tip Boon!

How does manganese dioxide compare to black iron oxide?

 

[irene_b]

Thanks fellas!!!

 

[ketoi]

After reading about cracked pots I thought I'd give it a try.

1st attempt, started to collapse but I kept pushing to see what would happen


2nd, a little better


3rd, starting to get the hang of it


4th, wobblier


5th try is my favorite

 

[Boondock]

wow ketoi, these pots are fantastic. it reminds me of this

I'm headed to the pottery supply store in the next couple of days, and since sodium silicate is dirt cheap, and I already have a blow torch (like most bonsai folks have for annealing wire) I'm going to try this technique as well.

 

[ketoi]

Boon,
Will be a treat to see what you with the technique.

Tried one without sodium silicate

 

[bonsaibiker]

Nice start at making crackpots there Ketoi ! I like them so far, keep it up.