Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Boxes and Tiles

This morning I worked on some tiles and some boxes. I love boxes, but they are so time consuming. And just watch, I'll fire them in my Raku kiln and they will fall apart from the thermal shock. It's a 50/50 chance with boxes even though I score and slip and add coils, boxes just have a hard time surviving. I tried to build these pretty strong, we'll see. tomorrow I'm going to get back on the wheel. I have had to rest my wrist a bit, it has been hurting a lot lately. In other news, a good friend of ours came and spent the night last night and told me about this great project he has been working on. Check out www.workofcraft.com Our firend Stewart was the photographer for the project and has put together a new book documenting the work. This new "green" construction in Asheville NC was furnished with original art from many local craftsman-pottery, furniture, everything. Do any of you know some of the artists involved? I suggested to Stewart that he put a list of the artists on the website. Anyway, check it out, it's pretty cool.

5 comments:

Linda Starr said...

Hi Tracey, those boxes you've made are really nice. How does the lid stay there? Is there some type of built in gallery? Have you tried different clays to see if one might be better than another for raku boxes? When they crack - do they come apart at the seams? I was thinking of making a few boxes for my barrel firing. When I did my barrel firing (which I know is different) I used B mix and I was surprised there was no breakage. Most of my pieces were small though. Can't wait to see your next firing. I'll have to download the youtube on the green house, thx.

Tracey Broome said...

Hi Linda: I use either Raku clay or White Sculpture clay and yes the boxes come apart at the seams. I have found that if I heat them on the kiln first they fair better. Sometimes they fall apart sometimes they don't. If I am not lazy and score and slip really well then add strong coils it's best. sometimes I'm lazy and do a slack job of this. I pay for it in the end.
Most books I have read in the past all say do not build pieces with joins for Raku, but still I torture myself:) The lid is built in two parts. I cut two slabs for the top, cut a lid out on the one that will go on top and put the two slabs together with slip. Take out the solid piece that will be the lid and cut a hole in the bottom one leaving a gallery all around. This way the lid fits in really well. Maybe I'll make one and photograph it for the blog. I wait until the box is complete to cut the hole for the gallery, that way the walls stay strong and don't sag. Hope that helps.

cookingwithgas said...

Great box!
I hope it comes out well for you.

Linda Starr said...

Thanks so much for the detailed explanation. I could see that your lid fit so well. I also like that it is different than most I have seen - that it is set in a little from the edge, which really sets it off.

I know what you mean about torture on clay pieces. I tried for three semesters to get my platters and serving dishes not to warp and I finally got it down, so sometimes persistence pays off in the long run. I hope these do well in the firing.

I shouldn't say this, it might be a jinx, but I was thinking if your box didn't make it through the firing the lid would be a beautiful sculpture on it's own pedestal.

Laura Farrow said...

great lookin' box, Trace! xo