UPDATED AO+

I seems like it has been quite some time since I have posted up any of my AO+ pieces and since some just came out of the kiln a while back I thought I would post up a piece. I had been procrastinating making up more of the glaze as about an inch was left in the bucket and that was not going to be enough to glaze anything with the exception of some chopstick rests. This quickly faceted teabowl was thrown out of the new white stoneware mix that I have been making up in 10 and 20 pound batches that has the sand mixed in as well which can be a bit abrasive during the initial mixing of the clay as well as the throwing of the pots. Thrown just a bit heavier than normal this bowl was quickly faceted and then had the form corrected a bit, especially the mouth as the process gets the pot out of round rather quickly. Once bisque the bowl is brushed off vigorously to dislodge any of the sand that is not firmly attached and dipped in a thin coat of clear prior to having the interior poured and the outside dipped in the AO+ glaze.    

What you see is one of a small group of bowls and covered pieces that were fired and because of the nature of the glaze it is easy to see all of the nooks and crannies as well as each mark made by the faceting process. I have to admit I am liking making up these small batches of clay, they have qualities that boxed clay doesn't have especially in regards to throwing/ drying as well as the physical appearance once fired. I am beginning to wonder about making up 50 or 100 pounds of clay at a time but for the time being I'll stick to mixing up 20 pounds (dry), turning it into a thickish slip and drying it out on plaster for now, maybe when I get my second wind I'll move on to more ambitious amounts.