Buying an electric ceramic kiln? This is what you need to know!

There are a lot of practical details involved in purchasing an electric ceramic kiln to fire your ceramics. The location where the kiln will be placed, the electrical outlet needed and the kiln controller. But also venting, stacking material and other tools. Not to mention the budget. In short, all details that are important to make the right choice if you want to invest in a new ceramic kiln.

I bought my first kiln 30 years ago and very recently my ceramics supplier Keramikos installed my new one. A lot of things have changed in the ceramics world in those years, but ceramic kilns are stills essential. What has also remained: you should inform yourself well before making this investment.

In the previous blog I discussed the importance of a good ceramic kiln supplier. In the blog before that I looked at the reasons for having your own kiln and what specific requirements you have. Discovering the most suitable kiln for your ceramic work: your personal “dream kiln”.

But we leave the daydreams behind us. Making ceramics is earthy, so you have to stand with both feet on the (clay) ground when choosing a kiln.

Si in this third blog practical tips to make a choice based on possibilities and preferences.

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Ceramics Exhibition Warmenhuizen 2022, SKNH at Home Base

In the weekend of 12 and 13 March 2022, the beautiful ceramics exhibition Warmenhuizen of the “Stichting Keramisten Noord-Holland” (Ceramists of North Holland, “SKNH” for intimates) will be held. This year again at home base: the Oude Ursula Church in Warmenhuizen, about 15 kilometers above Alkmaar.

Oude Ursula Church,
Dorpsstraat 93
Warmenhuizen (municipality of Schagen)
Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 March 2022
11.00 – 17.00 hrs.
Free entrance.
Info: www.keramisten-noordholland.nl

Together with twenty-five fellow ceramists, we bring contemporary handmade ceramics at a historic location. The 2022 ceramics season has started!

Are you ready to visit so many different ceramics in the northern part of Holland?

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Handmade ceramics: Why are you doing this to yourself?

Why do you start with handmade ceramics? What is handmade ceramics? When is something handmade? Is it art, is it design, is it craft?

Questions I had when I started making ceramics myself. But these are also the questions of the ceramics collector. And whoever has questions must look for answers!

It has been about 30 years since I took my first ceramics out of the kiln (burning my hands, because I couldn’t wait for it to cool down completely). Do I have all the answers by now?

Okay spoiler alert, I don’t … but I can give you my thoughts about it.

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Ceramic kilns: Get to know your kiln supplier before buying

You can go to a ceramic kiln supplier to order a kiln. But more importantly: you can also get your information and service there.

Of course you can find and buy everything online. But my advise to you: visit in person and get to know your supplier first hand before you order anything.

Recently Keramikos delivered my new kiln. They have a beautiful showroom, with new and familiar models of ceramic kilns. I always have a look around when I collect my raw materials. Especially now they have just moved to an even more spacious location at Conradweg 19 in Haarlem 🙂

In this blog my follow-up tips in case you are are looking for the right ceramic kiln for you. And where better to start than at your ceramic kiln supplier.

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Buying a ceramic kiln: Don’t forget about the orientation phase

You want to go your own (clay) way. Got to draw your own (firing) plan. Need to stand on your own (ceramic) feet. So one day you’ll know: you’re going to buy your own ceramic kiln!

This year I invested in a new ceramic kiln, supplied by my ceramics supplier Keramikos. It was not my first kiln and yet it is always quite a task to sort everything out properly. Fortunately, I had help in my research.

And I’am happy to share that. In the upcoming blogs I am going to list my tips. Starting with the orientation phase. Because a solid investment starts with solid preliminary work…

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My new Flame has arived: we now live together!

We had long left the seven-year itch behind us, but after almost 20 years a new desire awoke in me. My old flame disappointed me again and again. Was I tired of her? Is it time for our paths to part?

And then I met her. More and more furtive glances in her direction. A “coincidental” meeting at Keramikos. An extra round to admire her. I enjoyed her shapes, her warmth, her fiery temperament. Was this love mutual?

I took the plunge about six months ago. We had to move on together. I gathered all my courage (and money)…. And I ordered my new ceramic kiln.

Continue reading My new Flame has arived: we now live together!

More control over Glaze Firings? Use PTCR Measuring Rings!

PTCR measuring rings quantify both time and temperature of the glaze firing: heat work. Why do I think that’s so important to know (and to measure)? There are several reasons for this…

But let me start with what exactly PTCR measuring rings are. PTCR stands for “Process Temperature Control Rings”, so rings to get control over your firing temperature.

And what do you get out of it as a potter? I would like to explain that in this blog.

Continue reading More control over Glaze Firings? Use PTCR Measuring Rings!

Does your creativity need a boost? Go messing around with Clay Slip!

Le jeu de la barbotine is the same as enjoying messing around with clay slip. And another example that French is a much more elegant language than English, but that is a matter for another blog. In this blog I’m going to talk about creativity and having fun by messing around with clay slip.

Anyone who works with clay knows that it takes no effort at all to make a mess with it. And if that makes you as happy as me, then keep going…

But this time I wanted to talk about stimulating your creativity. Well, that can be done in all kinds of ways, but if you have clay, or more accurately clay slip, try the technique of Daniel de Montmollin. Yep, a famous namesake of mine from France.

All you need is a colored board in, for example, red or black and white clay slip.

Continue reading Does your creativity need a boost? Go messing around with Clay Slip!

Take a deep breath of Vitamin C From Ceramics, Creativity and Culture

Everyone needs vitamin C from Ceramics, Creativity and Culture. Especially a ceramist like me. And what you get from afar is always better. That’s why, when we were in South Limburg (see previous blog), we also visited the Tiendschuur in Tegelen. We were just on time to see the exhibition “More Organics“.

But of course you don’t have to go far to soak up culture. Everywhere there are museums and galleries where you can score a vitamin shot.

Also in Purmerend where I fire my ceramics. We got back just in time to enjoy the “Ceramics from the Dutch National Art Collection” exhibition.

I’d love to tell you more about it, but let’s start this blog at the beginning…

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Don’t forget: Ceramics Fair Dordrecht 2021 SUNDAY OCTOBER 3rd

It is already in my agenda: Ceramics Fair Dordrecht 2021 on Sunday 3 October from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (11.00 – 17.00 hr) on Statenplein. Did you put it in yours?

Do it now and I’ll see you this Sunday at the fair, stall 8. And while you’re there, take a look at the work of my fellow ceramic artists 🙂

Ceramics Market Dordrecht 2021

It’s the 21st edition of this ceramics festival, which has grown into a tradition. A ceramics tradition to which I would like to contribute my (fired) bit.

Also a great opportunity to view, discuss and buy contemporary handmade ceramics. As a unique gift for someone special or just for yourself.

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What prehistoric linear pottery taught me this summer

Every ceramist has to get to know his roots, in Western and Central Europe that is the linear pottery (LBK from German: Linearbandkeramik). This Neolithic pottery is over 7,000 years old. They are the oldest pots found in the Netherlands.

Where were these archeological treasures discovered? In the southernmost tip of our country, the fertile loess soils of South Limburg, including Elsloo and Stein. For the first farmers and potters in the Netherlands it was a good place to be. And for today’s ceramists, it still is…

So this summer we went to smell the Linear Pottery culture… and to taste cherry pie in South Limburg.

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From a handful of clay… Dreams Become Reality

A handful of clay is enough to make dreams come true… An old potter’s proverb from Bunzlau (“der Stadt des Guten Tons“) compares ploughing a field to throwing on the potter’s wheel. Both is hard work, but also the way to proudly earn your living.

The earth is my acre
The wheel is my plough
I’m a potter maker
That gives me my bread now

(Historical potter’s proverb from Bunzlau, translated from German*)

Our stories arise between dream and reality. Stories of happiness and beauty. Stories from yesterday and thousands of years ago…

Continue reading From a handful of clay… Dreams Become Reality

[English] Handgevormd en gedraaid figuratief steengoed keramiek