Some results of the first project

Here they are ( a few of them anyway).  These are the ones that finished today.  The glazing won't take place until November or December. (No money till then).

I have to show the other side of  this one

And the other side...

Hope you enjoyed the pics.  Stay tuned for more over the next few days!

Happy Mudding!

Results??

     Tomorrow I will  be taking pictures of some of the pinch pots that are being produced by the students.  They are supposed to have them finished tomorrow by the end of class, so that they can start on their coil projects on Tuesday.
     Then to get some ^06 clay for the remaining projects.  I will be getting an array of colors (^06) for them to use in class.  I figure the low fire glazes keep the bright colors, and will run less, giving them a little more control over their painted designs.  If you can give me some hints on how to do that with stoneware and ^6 glaze colors, I would gladly use stoneware instead.  Let me know if you have any suggestions... I am always ready to learn more!
     Look for an array of pictures tomorrow!

Consolation??

Today the principal called me into his office, said "I've got something you need to look at".  So he opens a file on the computer and pointing at a section asks "Will this be enough to start out"?  I look closer and realize it's his budget for next school year, and he has listed $5K for 2 kilns, and another $5K for clay, tools, and accessories!  Then he says, "This is just an estimate for now, we can make small adjustments to it later".  I guess he really wants me back to teach here next year...
Well, that will give me 3 kilns - one for each class.  Yeah!  No waiting to fire because the last class isn't done cooling yet!  I still plan on going for the grant again next year - for wheels!

Can you say "Fundraisers" ? (plural)

So the legislature has passed the budget for this year, and I'm not on it...at all.  No clay, no tools, no wheels, no kiln.  I have to run the Ceramics 1 class for a whole school year with no funds.  Good thing I got that small grant, it will cover my glazes, and "rent" for a kiln for the year, a couple of ware carts, my cone packs, and gloves.  I guess we will be doing a lot of lunch plate fundraisers for the clay.  Can you say "I'm so happy to work in a public school system, I could puke"?  That's ok... it's an election year here for the legislature.  I'm sure if I pitch my program hard enough with these people, I can get something done for next school year.  Wish me luck!  Until then, it's a good thing my college prof. gave me a couple boxes of clay when I graduated!  That should last me till the end of October.
Anybody have a large bottle of Aspirin?

A walkthrough...

Just a quick post to show you where I am working now.  Man!  I wish my personal studio was this big!!



Happy Mudding!

Kiln Thoughts...

     I have decided to buy the kiln under my name, and use the grant money to rent it (from me) till the end of the school year, then let the school keep it.  I just found out that the school budget won't buy it this year, but they will have it in the budget for next year. How do they think I can run a ceramics program without a kiln???  Oh well, I can apply for the grant again next year as well, and maybe rent some wheels?? ;-)
   In the mean time, I plan on ordering an L&L "Liberty Bell" model for myself... and I may need to use it for the classroom till I can get the Skutt 1028 shipped in.  I can see days of straight firings to cone 06....

Yippee!!

I walked into the office today and the principal came over and shook my hand and said "Congratulations!  I have a friend on the grant board, and he told me that you got all that you asked for!"  So I'm like totally jazzed the rest of the day!  Now all I have to do is figure out how to get a kiln on the "rent-to-own" plan.  The grant won't allow me to buy one, but will allow me to rent.... hmmmm.  Thoughts?