Kiln unloading no 22 - 7 favorite ceramic pieces from my latest firing

Welcome to kiln opening number 22. I number my kiln firings. Some of them are bisque firings, some are glaze firings. Number 22 is a glaze kiln.

I want to share with you the 7 best pieces or groups of pieces the kiln gave me. I affectionately think of these picks as "Earthies" awards. (Earth=clay). At the end of the post I am going to declare the Kiln Winner. I have declared a kiln winner ever since my very first glaze firing. The Kiln Winner is the ceramic piece that makes me the most exited to pull from that kiln firing. 

To build on the excitement, I have made 7 categories where I nominate a piece or group of pieces for each one. The categories are:

1. 1. Noted glaze
2. 2. Knows its shape
3. 3. Pattern pot
4. 4. Flexing texture
5. 5. Favorite newcomer
6. 6. Stacks or groups
7. 7. Honorable mention

From this group of nominees I pick my favorite: the Kiln Winner. Let's get into it. 

First up in the Noted glaze category is this creamy yellow with an ochre tint to it. The glaze itself layers beautifully over white clay giving variety and depth to the glaze. These two candle sticks got scooped up as a set at my recent sale.

Next up is a new favorite form of mine. I call this my bird bowl. It is an abstract take on a bird shape while still being symmetrical. I really like how this shape transforms a more usual round bowl into something with a more organic shape to it. This bowl truly knows its shape. The green glaze on one of them is a new glaze I am experimenting with and I really like it. You will see more of this color in the future. 

Noted glaze

Knows its shape

The next two pieces both sport some carving.  First up is a new carving style I have been working with recently. On this vase you see a pattern that is heavily inspired by a shrub I have in my garden. A David viburnum, which has these very characteristic leaves with veins similar to what you see here. I find this plant to be positively pterodactyl in quality. My favorite part of the pattern on this vase is where the leaves overlap. I will continue to explore this style of carving going forward. The red clay peeking through the white slip is such a beautiful contrast.

Next is a new favorite form of mine. This is my bird box. I have introduced it in stories on Instagram already and I have also featured it in this post where you can read all about what it could be used for. It was a big conversation starter at my recent sale. I love the carved pattern and I am all about that little bird on the roof of this box. Chirp!

Pattern pot

Flexing texture

While I am a big fan of rounded forms, I do hold a special place for a good triangular shape as seen in both my bird box above and in this match jar shape up next. My previous match jars have held 2 - and 3 inch matches. This newcomer holds 4 inch matches. I really like this shape and it pairs nicely with other items in shelf and table top vignettes. You can also use this as a bud vase. This match jar comes with matches and you can also get refill matches as well.

Next are my fluted vases. These have become a fan favorite and I sell quite a few of these at each sale. They have a classic shape and the fluting makes them very interesting looking and tactile. They group very well too. 

Favorite newcomer

Stacks or groups

Last up is an honorable mention to this sweet little vase. This is one of my favorite forms with handles and here I am experimenting with a new handle with a twist. I really like the added texture it lends to this form.

These are the seven picks from my 22nd kiln opening and the winner is ... 

Honorable mention

Even though it is very difficult to pick between all of these pieces, there can be only one Kiln winner. The ceramic piece that I was the most excited to pull from the kiln this time was this vase with the carving inspired my my favorite garden shrub. The red and white color combination goes very well with a bunch of dusty green leaf branches.

Here is the gang all back together again. I really strive for all my pieces to go together in almost any constellation you can dream up. This group is an example. Such a happy group of ceramics casually hanging out together. Group picture! *snap*