New dog for the top of the Uplifted Rescues Totem

smkie

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#22
I broke it..I am stupid,,, I know better...and I just had to reach in that kiln to reposition flying dog. There wasn't even a reason to do that..it was fine, it tipped and the back leg popped off. Smack me in the head I coudln't be more disgusted with myself if I tried. There was nothing to do but walk back to my desk and start all over. I have a body, deep chested with hips, a neck, a face with the eyes set in, they may be coming out and done over, a jaw, the teddy bear is made. That would leave one day to get legs and all details done. One day to dry which is not near enough and another slow bake to get it done in time for the next glaze firing in the gas kiln. I am such a dang idiot. This time I made a platform with a peg in it to hold it in place. This time I did what I should have done last time. THe story of my life.

in through the basement up the stairs to find the freaking front door. :wall::wall::wall:
 

crazy_paws

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#23
Awwww, how frustrating.

Well, I hope this replacement one comes together smoothly and easily for you. :)
 

smkie

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#24
half way there, the face has finished eyes, cheekbones, orbit tissue, a good nose, lips, shaped muzzle, there is a head, a neck, a body, and one leg in a box. I have a headache. Going to bed and starting in the morning.

A friend told me she had something her ceramic teacher swore by for fixes, but I dont' see how in the world it would not show on such a light color. Bedsides there is not a patch anywhere else on the totem.

I have a headache and I am pooped. tomorrow, it must be finished tomorrow so it can dry at least one day. If i blow both of them I am going to cry for a week.
 
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smkie

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#25
I am getting suggestions of how to help, one person suggested maritine epoxy, my friend kelly sent this.
6. Paperclay "Superglue" used for joining and repairing green ware or bisque ware - One or two cups of paperclayslip mixed with about half a teaspoon of sodium silicate. "Be careful where you put it, because once it's on it's there to stay!"6. Paperclay "Superglue" used for joining and repairing green ware or bisque ware - One or two cups of paperclayslip mixed with about half a teaspoon of sodium silicate. "Be careful where you put it, because once it's on it's there to stay!"


I still think the crack will show. I am still going to plug away and get new one done and hope.
 

smkie

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#27
Just finished the pads and nails on the last back leg. Got my brush ready to slip the pads to make them black. That leaves one collar, one tag and two ears. I turned the kiln up to medium for the broken one. Haven't decided which way to go, try the paperclay super patch, or the mari something or ruther epoxy that Miranda told me about. Wont' know which way is best until it fires hot, cools off and I can see how different the shrinkage has been. It was a clean break, no jagged edges that I can see so that should make it easier.

I dont' know if I will make the gas kiln this week...hopefully I can the week after IF it will be cool before the auction. IF not, I guess I will find out just how hot my kiln can get. I never wanted to use it for anything but bisque so it would last as long as possible but surely one time won't do too much wear.

Thanks for asking..((((((HUGS)))))) it just isn't possible to make this dog in under three days no matter how hard I try. AT least school started today and that will leave me with longer stretches of uninterrupted time to catch up some rest and try to heal.
 
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#28
Could you not have slipped it together before firing? Or even set it together during the bisque fire so the break would fire/shrink synchronously?

I've had decent success slipping stoneware and porcelain together -- some molds are meant to have pieces slipped together before firing, and pretty much no-fail at it with earthenware (ceramic). I don't know what kind of clay you're using -- it looks like stoneware type and the firing temps are consistent with that?

You'll get the new one done, though, and it will look amazing -- maybe even better than the first one :)
 
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Dekka

Just try me..
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#29
wow thats heartbreaking Smkie. Love the project.. looking forward to seeing the whole thing (though lol you might need to take a video walking around it to show it off in its full glory)

On a side note, wow your school starts early. Darien has at least 3 weeks still.
 

smkie

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#30
IF I had had any sense I would have taken it out and done just that but it had already started drying and I was afraid to touch it again. All most done, two ears, one tail left.
 

smkie

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#31
New dog is finished...broken dog is now cooling. surely one of them will work in time for the auction.
 

smkie

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#33
I took her out of the kiln, perfect except for the leg. I am going to try the paperclay superglue. IT's all a learning process right? Hopefully it will be hard fired this weekend and the other will be a backup.
 

smkie

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#35
AFter a consultation with Paul Storm, who's opinion I value just about more than anyone else there, it was decided to fire the two pieces separately and attach afterward. He didn't feel the shrinkage would be enough to make a difference since it did so well in the bisque. I took it up very slowly doing the hard fire on the third night. So the glaze was applied to where it goes and it's on the shelf to go in the kiln and what will be will be. The other will be my backup in case it doesn't work. I will know this time next week.
 
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#36
Your dog totem is amazing! Someone is going to be very blessed when they win it and get it home. Or maybe it will be displayed somewhere where many people can see it. I hope so!
 

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