Groundhog Kiln Firing #2

Jo and I recently participated in firing the Groundhog Kiln over at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, AR. The kiln was built in 2002 and is similar to the kilns used in the South in the 1800s and early 1900s when pottery jugs and crocks were the containers used for storing most liquid items. John Perry and Judi Munn are the potters at the Ozark Folk Center. (Click on photos for larger view.)



White glue is applied to the bottom of the pot. It holds the wadding in place prior to the firing.



Jo presses the wadding into the white glue on the bottom of the pot. Wadding is a porous and pliable clay mixture that forms "feet" for the pots during the firing.



All three wadding "feet" applied to the bottom of the pot. Without the wadding, the wood ash would fuse the pot to the kiln shelf during the firings. Waddings are easily removed after the firing.



Part of the wood used during the firing. It is scrap from the local handle mill. We ended up not having enough wood on hand forcing John to scramble for more wood during the early morning hours. (John and Judi's glazed pots that would not fit into the kiln for this firing are in the background.)



Jo is leveling a bowl after applying its wadding feet.



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Groundhog Kiln Firing #2