Pottery/kiln / oven

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Expert: Ric Swenson - 10/23/2009


Question
im interested in making a few personal fixtures and some chilli bowls and coffee mugs and vases.  i dont own any pottery tools /  ovens nor kilns.  can i use a kitchen oven ?  i would like to be able to bake and glaze my own products.  if i cant use the kitchen; how would i be able to come about a cheap, functional ceramic oven??

Answer
sorry can't help you.

A kiln goes to 1860 F up to 2300F.  an oven goes to 500F.

read THE KILN BOOK by Frederick Olsen.

or go to

www.potterybasics.com

you can find a used kiln in the ads from the newspaper or go to a local ceramics shop and pay for them to fire your wares.

you should really do some reading before you ask these questions. attend some community college courses maybe?

Ceramics is not so simple as you think.


ric  

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Ric Swenson

Expertise

For nearly 40 years I have been involved with pottery. I specialize in wheelthrown pottery, but spent 12 years as Plant Manager of Bennington Potters, Inc. where I learned all about RAM pressing, slip casting, jiggering, OSHA regulations regarding clay manufacture, safety, etc. I have specific knowledge in forming techniques, texturing clay, clay bodies, glazes and application techniques, as well as firing and kiln building. I do not have knowledge of the values of ceramic works of the past.

Experience

I have taught ceramics and art history at the high school and college level in Anchorage, AK (UAA) and Bennington, VT.for 12 years. I ran Bennington Potters, Inc. for 12 years 1982-94. I was manager of Fine Art Tile Co.,San Antonio, TX for several years and taught Pottery classes in Atlanta, GA. at Elements (Kickwheel Pottery Supply), Currently in JingDeZhen , P.R. China, teaching Ceramics and Oral English.

Organizations
American Ceramic Society (Chair of Design Div. 1985-7) Current member of Tucker Arts Guild, Tucker, GA.

Publications
CERAMICS MONTHLY, AMERICAN CRAFT, CERAMIC VISION, (China)

Education/Credentials
BFA, Drawing and Painting, Pacific Lutheran Univ., Tacoma, WA. 1970 with certification to teach Art K-12.
MFA, Ceramics, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA. 1976

Awards and Honors
One Man Show of Pottery, Anchorage Historical and Fine Arts Museum.
Alaska Art Bank Collection, Collection U. of Puget Sound, JingDeZhen Ceramics Institute, China.
Over 70 juried entries in State and Regional art shows over 30 years. Solo exhibition, 2006, The Pottery Workshop, JingDeZhen, China. Exhibitor and Conference participant, Wu Yi Shan Univ. China 2007. Exhibitor at Jingdezhen Ceramic Fairs 2007-2009. Collection of the City of Jingdezhen Ceramic Museum.

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