Hi there.

I picked up some kitchen tiles (6 by 6, white ceramic) this last month and painted them with acrylics for fun. I ended up with some really cool Christmas presents. I had so much fun I wanted to
increase the quality and durability of the tiles somewhat by using glazes and firing them in a kiln.

I just want an inexpensive kiln and to use pigments and glazes that would come out like the acrylic paint did. I know virtually nothing about ceramics, and just want to dabble at home with a small
investment. Does anyone have recommendations on a kiln, on pigments or glazes, and on what types of tile to use? Perhaps even some information on the types of tile and paints the "paint your own pottery" places use?

 

CN Response

 

Let’s start out with the kiln.  There are different kinds that are meant for different things.  There are gas, electric, and even wood burning ones you can build.  For what you are trying to accomplish, I would think you would want an electric kiln.  They come in all sizes and different firing temperatures.  Some run on 110 v, but most of the medium to large ones run on 220v.  If going with 220, you may need the help of an electrician to wire it up. If you are staying just with tiles a small one may suit you well, but if you plan on maybe firing something larger you may want to get a bigger one.  If you plan on working with stoneware or porcelain make sure your kiln will fire high enough, for they need hotter temps than earthenware.

 As far as tiles go, if I were to glaze them, I would make them myself and fire them, or buy them from someone who knows what temperature they have been fired to bisque at.  What temperature they have been fired to is very important if you are going to glaze them.  A lot of ceramics are made from earthenware.  It fires at a lower temp than stoneware or porcelain.  It is cheaper to run your kiln (lower temp) and it is more forgiving.  You could pour your tiles in plaster molds or hand build them using clay.

 Decorating the tiles is the fun and most creative part of ceramics.  A good glaze job can make even a questionable piece turn out nice.  Your reference to pigment, I am assuming you mean “undercoating”. Undercoats are just pigment.  It is adding pigment to a piece of green ware (not fired yet) and then firing the color right into the clay.  A clear glaze is then applied and it is fired again.   Most contemporary shops do not offer this since they work mainly with bisque.  They use product that you can use like undercoats but it is actually a type of glaze.  They still need to have a clear glaze applied, and most of the shops have a “dipping” glaze for this process.  Some glazes come in solid colors and some have different effects and colors built right into the product, these are sometimes referred to as art glazes.   You also may want to use decals, which are fired on after the piece is glazed.  Glazes come prepared and ready to use, or you can make your own (you would need to read up on this, and be ready for some trial and error).  If using the prepared glazes follow the directions carefully.  Most earthenware glazes go on bisque that is fired to O4 and the glaze is fired to O6 Orton temp.  You will read about Orton temperatures in your kiln directions.  Hope this information helps.

---

Question Two

BusDriver 4-6-2005

I am looking for the Hershey mold apple tree boy and girl mold that stand 15 to20 inches from the floor or maybe 1 1/2 foot high.

CN Response

Unfortunately we do not have that mold in the database yet,  If anyone knows of such a mold, please let us know.  Thank you.

---

Question Three

Alley 4-9-2005

Can you tell me who makes a Victorian canister set? The cookie jar is a two story Victorian house and the other smaller ones are for flour, sugar etc. Thank you

CN Response

I searched our data base and found that Duncan made a canister set like the one you described.  The numbers are 323A, 323B, 329A, 332C, 333C, 334B, 341D, 343B, 343E, and 346C.  We do not have an image for these molds yet in the database.  Duncan did not have them on there site, and neither did Starlite. I do not think anyone is selling these molds at this time.  I think your best hope at finding them would be if a studio had them in there inventory.  If anyone has them, or an image of them, please let us know.  Thanks.   

---

Question Four

Alley 4-10-2005

Can anyone tell me which mold companies bought the Provincials molds?

CN Response

Creative Paradise and TNT Mike's both carry some of the Provincials molds.

Cindy's Ceramics Response 7-22-2005

Lakeland Molds also picked up some of the Provincial line.

---

Question Five

Seeker  4-11-2005

Can anyone tell me where I can get copies/original catalog and/or pricelist from the following companies: Nancy, Goodsell & Idle Time? Thanks for your help!

CN Response

Unless someone out there is willing to give up their old catalogs,  I have no idea where you could get them.  We have obtained them from studios that have gone out of  business.  Maybe someone reading this could help us out.

---

Question Six

Crakar  5-16-2005

I have heard that getting any PLASTER into green clay can be disastrous, as it has potential to explode a piece, even after it has been successfully fired.  I have heard stories of pieces sitting on a mantle in someone's living room suddenly exploding after much time has passed. So here is my question;

I was forming a bowl over an old deteriorating plaster cast, and noticed that some chips of plaster came off the mold and got embedded into the clay. I cannot be sure it was all picked out, and now am wondering if I shouldn't take a chance on this and perhaps just toss the bowl.... anyone have an answer?

 

CN Response

If the chips of plaster are on the surface of the clay, you would not have to worry about any explosions.  I would try to get most of it cleaned off though for they might cause imperfections on the surface of the bowl.  The only time you have to worry about explosions is when air gets trapped into the clay body.  If you have a big piece buried into the clay, and it is conceivable that the plaster could burn out and cause a build up of gasses, but I think it is rare.  I have had only one piece I can remember exploding in the kiln, and that was because I did not vent a piece properly.   I get bits of plaster from old molds breaking off on my pieces all the time, and never ran into trouble firing them.  If you do fire it, and you want to be on the safe side, make sure the piece is on the bottom self of the kiln.    Good luck.  

---

Question Seven

Cariecarp 8-4-2005

I am desperately seeking a Kimple Ghost Bisque piece(s) for a student of mine. The ghost is large and has a scarf around it's neck and holding a pumpkin. I don't know the mold number.

CN Response

I  found this Creative Paradise mold (they took over Kimple).  It is essentially a snowman mold with a ghost head and arms as attachments.  Mold numbers 3174, 3175, 3209, 3210, 3211

.

Cariecarp 8-5-2005

Yes! This is it!  Oh, thank you!  Now I just need to find someone who would send us it in bisque, ready to paint.  Let me know if you know of anyone!

---