Lough+Slat+quartz+sand+and+test+bowl.+This+bowl+has+this+quartz+sand+mixed+in+to+local+clay..jpeg

Glanteenassig Forest Park Lough Carun And Lough Slat.

January 19, 2018 in Ceramics, David Holden, irish ceramics, Geology, local clay, native clay

Glanteenassig Forest Park Lough Carun and Lough Slat

Quartz sand from the shoreline of Lough Slat and small local clay bowl test piece with this quartz sand mixed in to the clay.

Firing the Kerrygama kiln May 2017

August 26, 2017 in David Holden, Researching local clays, local clay, Geology, Ceramics, irish ceramics, native clay

I was very happy to take part in this firing. The last firing of the Kerrygama was 4 years ago. This was a good opportunity to test the local materials in a woodfired kiln in this area. The pots were wood fired for seventy two hours using local spruce wood. I tested a native clay with nothing added to it, just a small amount of sand remived, from the Feothanach area. It will be useful in the future for woodfiring, the results showing promise. I also mixed this Feothanach clay with some refractory clay from a local bog. By combining the two clays, the pieces will have more fire strength, with less chance of slumping, and it can tolerate higher temperatures. I'm delighted to have this information now for the wood fire kiln I'm currently building close to my studio.

Wood fired unprocessed local clay. Fired for 72 hours with local spruce wood.

Wood fired Yunomi made from 100% native clay from Feothanach. Fired for 72 hours with local spruce.

Wood fired local clay mix. Fired for 72 hours with local spruce wood.