Surprise in the Kiln!

Okay, so most of the time I don't want surprises in the kiln. Not at this stage in the game. One, it was a bisque load, so pretty predictable. But second, until I'm mixing my own glazes and experimenting, most of the work I do I do with an expected outcome, and when it doesn't happen, I'm usually disappointed, not excited.

HOWEVER, today is an exception! I put a small test chunk of the creak-bed-clay into the kiln to see how it holds up to cone 03. Not only did it hold up, but here's how it turned out:

In case you can't tell, it's the red piece of clay (well, brown, but "red" as far as clays usually go) against the gray clay behind it, which is the unfired creak-clay. The gray clay doesn't fire white, as I thought it would, it fires red! I can't believe it! I've never used "terra-cotta" clay before! I'm not sure exactly what kind of clay it is, but the red has a few advantages. One, in smoke firings, red often has pretty cool results. Two, if I can mix it with my earthenware clay, then I can do marbling and other such effects. I'm so stoked!

Of course, there's no guarantee that it will be compatible with my other clay, but I'll do the tests as soon as I can. And, there's the SMALL chance that it will be high-fire clay. Can you imagine!!

Oh, I can't wait to see what else this clay has in store for me!