(4 bc potters

POTTERS
GUILD

of BRITISH

COLUMBIA
——
NEWSLETTER

November/December 2005 Volume 41 No. 10

LATTICE STRUCTURES
An All Crystalline Event - Red Star Studios, Kansas City

In his book Glazes for Special Effects, Herbert Saunders describes the three-dimensional “lattice structure” of the molecules
forming glass. He explains how this lattice structure breaks down with heat, causing glazes to flow, thus enabling crystals
to form in just the right conditions. Since I am entranced with crystalline glazes, my interest was piqued when I saw an
article in Ceramics Monthly last summer, about the Lastice Structures Exhibit and Symposium in Kansas City! My
friend, Ginny Conrow told me that she was presenting — and was just as excited about hearing what all the other pre-
senters were going to talk about. She said, “dont miss it!” I first met Ginny when she came up from Seattle to teach a
workshop at MISSA. She gave me my start with crystals. I couldn't have asked for a better beginning. Her work is
exquisite — her spirit an inspiration!

Ginny and I met in the Denver airport, flew into Kansas City together and headed to the opening night celebration.
Never have I seen so many lovely forms and incredible glazes in one place! Red dots were everywhere in the first hour of
opening night! (See wwwlatticestructures.com)

The weekend unfolded with back-to-back presentations by potters from around the world. Dianne Creber opened
with a history of crystalline glazes; the inimitable Peter Ilsley followed with slides of matt glazes and stories of potting in
England and Spain; the understated John Tilton waxed poetic on how he strives to put the universe on each pot - his
slides took my breath away; Ginny Conrow generously shared her wisdom and described her painterly approach to glaz-
ing; Mr. Li Hyun Jo from Korea amazed us with how he had coaxed truly outstanding crystals onto pots in the third
chamber of a wood kiln. Bill Schrahn spoke of growing crystals in a school environment at cone 6 and Fara Shimbo on
fluorescent glazes and use of rare earth metals. We saw slides of the incredible Bill Campbell's pottery and listened as Kris
Friedrich and Paul Geil, raved about Geil’s new kiln that does it all - both temperature and oxidation/reduction atmos-
phere are computer controlled! Computer guy Dave Bartlett, explained little known features of computer controllers, as
well as the benefits of s-type (platinum) thermocouples (I have one and swear by it for accuracy and dependability —
especially at cone 10). Steve Lewicki of L&L Kilns spoke about zone-control (using three thermocouples to ensure exact
even temperatures from top to bottom of your kiln - I was sitting beside Bill Campbell who commented that he had
zone control in all of his large electric kilns.) Jon Pacini of Laguna had
great slides detailing how four porcelain bodies all interacted differently
with the same crystal glaze - and why. My head was ready to explode
with so much new information and ideas! Thank goodness for the
many hours of unwinding over dinners and beers, where we laughed,
made new friends and learned even mote.

I re-read my many notes on the plane back, comparing them to my
glazing records from before the symposium and making notes on
notes. I couldnt wait to get back to my spray booth! I tweaked old
recipes and firing schedules, incorporated new ideas and had a blast.
‘Three firings later, I was thrilled to pull from the kiln some of my best
crystals ever for this year’s Christmas shows. Was it worthwhile going
all the way to Kansas City for a weekend? Absolutely!

Holly McKeen
Chilliwack, B.C.

Celebrating 50 Years: 1955 - 2005