tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4465927560842325714.post1631595640164138650..comments2023-10-09T11:00:58.359-04:00Comments on an imagined eden: Another beautiful dayCathy Kiffney Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11505871814808334890noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4465927560842325714.post-2718016039824989902013-08-27T14:17:13.692-04:002013-08-27T14:17:13.692-04:00Hi Smartcat! Right now I am using Highwater earthe...Hi Smartcat! Right now I am using Highwater earthen red which can go as high as cone 5, but I fire to around cone 04, so yes, it is still porous, but that is what my glazes work at. <br />For the birdbaths I could fire to cone 5 and they would be pretty tight, but none of my glazes would work. I suppose I could get mix glaze just for birdbaths...But I want to know about your clay, what company? thanks! CAthyCathy Kiffney Studiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11505871814808334890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4465927560842325714.post-56849234547409298482013-08-27T10:44:36.599-04:002013-08-27T10:44:36.599-04:00Nice plate. And after looking at your Etsy shop I...Nice plate. And after looking at your Etsy shop I must say you have a really nice eye for shoes and the way you paint them.<br /><br />You mentioned that your clay is porous at ^04. What body are you using? It sounds like it isn't maturing at ^04. I am currently using Miller #20 which is very smooth and fires to a nice toasty terra cotta color. It is watertight at ^04. I make all sorts of functional ware from it. Although I don't recommend that customers do it, I use it in the microwave to reheat tea and food with no problems. (The problem is that I can microwave for years and one day the glaze will craze.)<br /><br />It might help you to do a water absorption test. I forget the exact procedure, but I'm sure you could Google it and get the info.<br /><br />I don't generally bother with bases for my bird baths as they are alternately used as serving platters. I have handbuilt a few posts out of clay with a flange on the bottom of the bird bath that fits tightly into the top of the post.<br /><br />I bring all my clay inside for the winter. I do leave bird feeders out but I make them with drainage holes.<br /><br />I hope this answers a few questions. Please feel free to contact me via email (under my complete profile) if you wish.........*s*smartcathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15430370214403895826noreply@blogger.com