I’m hoping to get my first kiln later this year and trying to figure out what size to go for. I’m looking at a 60 litre 15amp as the electrics are more straightforward but wondering if in the long run I’d be better getting the electrics sorted for a bigger option? It will be in a shed at the side of my house. I’d love to hear about people’s experiences and if your first kiln has been your only one? 😁

I’m sure a lot of us have this placemat as it creates great texture. I’ve previously made a bowl and kept the glaze simple with just Amaco Rainforest. This time I’d like to use a glaze that breaks nicely over texture so looking for suggestions. Hit me with your favourites please! 😊

I did it, y’all! My friend, who is a beautiful, brilliant, kind woman, asked me to make her a chip and dip. I said yes because my toxic trait is “I can make anything” 😅 Well, I had never thrown one before, and she specifically wanted the divisions so she can put taco toppings in each section. I struggled! First, my bats were terrible (they were a type of board that I thought would be great to use, but instead never released the clay!) I failed there twice before deciding the bats were the problem. Then I threw another one, but the places where I attached the separations kept cracking, the bowl was too leather hard for the attachments, I guessed. So then I made another one, but with shrinkage, it ended up far too small—she wanted something BIG! And then, I made one that I thought was perfect, but the middle section was far too thin on the bottom and it cracked. Cracked in half at the glaze fire! So here, my grand finale, is the last chip and dip with sections that I will ever make 😅🤣 My friend is a big fan of bright and bold colors, often seen wearing a tie dye or ice dye garment that her amazing mother hand-makes for her. I know this was a great learning opportunity. However, I only persevered because I love this person! This was the most clay I’ve ever thrown, it is around 11 pounds of reclaim. I did: Honey Flux all over x3 Then x3 splotches and waves of: Spectrum Cactus, Floating Turquoise, Tiger’s Eye, Bougainvillea, and Amaco Smoky Merlot. Then some splotches of Honey Flux x2 in random locations on top. What do you think?! Did I hit the “tie dye look” target??!!

My June challenge is to try and get to throwing 3kg of clay. It started pretty well with some good sized bowls with 1.7kg then 2kg and a vase/planter with 2.25kg. However today I was back down to earth with a thud, 2.3kg attempt and what looks great side on hides that my floor was too thin and I went down to the bat. 2nd attempt with 2.5kg flopped and ended up back in a ball 🤦‍♀️ I think the clay was teaching me not to get cocky 🤣🤣

I would love to know from everyone what 3 pottery tools would you chose that you can't live without if you could only have 3 for the rest of your pottery life? Mine are : Mud tools red rib , Mud tools white sponge , DCT pear shaped trimming tool.