Matthew!!! I think the kiln unloading was fabulous! I was so excited to see it. I loved seeing all of your work and saw some spectacular pieces. I also enjoy seeing your children involved. Your young man is a big help working along side of his mom and dad. I am sure he felt like a grown up to be trusted to help unload. I have to say, what cracked me up though, was everyone wearing stocking hats and two of your kids wearing shorts along with the stocking caps. Your family is darling!
Must say, you handled opening your first wood fire kiln like a boss. I do not think anyone who has not built and fired their own wood fire kiln will understand the whirlwind of emotions. Well done and very happy everything turned out great !! Love it that your family is so involved, you are indeed blessed. Kind regards and many happy firings !!
Yes I have to say at times that day I almost felt depressed and I am a very positive person so I was conflicted but I knew enough that it was temporary and everything would be ok. Haha. I was happy to read your comment and know that someone understands. Cheers
Just keeping me more inspired! Thanks for sharing this. I concur with Charl, it is so difficult with all the work and effort to see what comes out of a kiln, not to mention the first firing for wood kiln. You definitely exhibited bravery on multiple fronts!
Thanks Ben, yes it was a draining day in multiple ways but in the end I was thrilled with the outcome. So many nice pots and so much potential looking forward!
Ey up again matt I just got to the end of the video..I feel emotionally exhausted! That day must have been a roller coaster of feelings for you! I mean I vicariously felt such anticipation peeking through the gaps, and the build up as the door went down...and down...and then the pleasure of seeing just a few of the pots up close, and such disappointment and loss about that beautiful cracked bowl/platter... my heart went out to you. But then i felt excitement and inspiration and eagerness to go grab some clay and get making some ginormous vases! Phew. All that work, so much work... I can only imagine as I only fire a tiny electric kiln myself and I find unloading even that absolutely emotionally exhausting. And that's with none of the physical effort it took you and your family for this humongous kiln. It's so hard to hold on to remembering that every disappointment means I'm learning. I think I really understand that you needed time to get used to the results...it's like we have this ideal imagining of what we hope each pot will look like and then, when it is somehow different, when it's become ''itself'', my heart can sink...and sink...but then with time my mind can do a total flip and end up appreciating the pot for itself (or not!). And, sometimes, I even like it more! Weird! So what's that all about then? Is it just ''Expectations'' ? I know this was a while ago now, but how did you feel overall, when you got to that very last pot? And, if you don't mind me asking, how do you feel now? It strikes me that to open and unload a kiln can be a super emotional experience.. I feel like i have to psych myself up into the right frame of open mindedness before I even go near it. And then I almost feel like I need to plan to meet up with a fellow Potter afterwards to be able to debrief and process all those feelings! Lol. I'm kind of being flippant here, but kind of not. If you get me? Btw I loved that really gentle guitar music and the shots in between the action of unloading, where I got just a stationary view of just the kiln with the pots in it, and also at the end, the glimpse of the walls all scored by the flame. That's a beautiful thing right there! So, many thanks Matt. That was a wonderful start to my day.
It’s hard to say if it’s all expectations but that’s definitely a huge part of it. Someone commented last year that before you open the kiln everything inside is horrible and amazing at the same time until you open it and find out. It all depends on how emotionally involved you are in the process and the pots. I was physically tired and emotionally on edge unloading but it all turned out well. No matter what we expect the people buying don’t usually know and they still can find what they love! Cheers
Enjoyed the video Matthew. That has to be really exciting to peek inside and then to unload the kiln. I'm sure it's allot more exciting unloading than loading. How long does it take to load it? Thanks for taking the time to produce the video. Y'all take care and God bless.
Ey up Matt I'll try to be concise but know I'll fail. Apologies! I don't know where to start! I've so many feelings/thoughts about this video... I doubt I'll ever be able to wood fire myself, so this is the closest I'll come to it...and just want to say a huge thank you, because I felt the excitement of glimpses of the pots, and then getting the door down and seeing this huge array of gorgeous pots you've made from earth. Just wonderful! A question (if you don't mind)..I'm experimenting with slips too, and dots...but finding they are raised too much, I've tried squishing the pointy bit, and now trying to thin the slip more. Is your slip thin? Are the dots raised...are you worried if someone uses a bowl functionally and stacks them inside one another that the dots will be scratchy?
I'm a relatively new potter and would like to know what you use for wadding. Is it straight clay, or do you add something to keep in from sticking to the pots?
Yes it did change some during the recording and I didn’t know that until editing. I record on my iPhone and the built in camera app does not have that option. I have a new light now for my videos that helps a lot with that issue.
Most of those pieces have been sold. That kiln opening was in October 2019 and just now got around to making the video. I’ll be firing again in March and will do another Etsy sale after that.
Thankfully I got all of the arch brick on a barter with another potter. I traded some thrown work for the bricks. If I had to buy all of the brick brand new it would have cost me $30 - 40,000. I think i still spent at least $20 - 25,000. I worked on the kiln for about 4 years but most of the work was in 2019 and I spent $15k in 2019 alone. Either way it will pay for itself and end up being a great investment!
Matthew Kelly Pottery Thats impressive! Im in highschool and i refined some clay from a river near me. i was looking to make a much smaller kiln just for some smaller pottery (i dont even have a wheel but im looking into that) and the price of bricks is definitely out of the range of my one summer job😂 Went through all the kiln videos and the amount of work that went into it definitely shows. Congrats on the kiln!
You are the best potter on the internet! Neil DeGrasse Tyson would appreciate your son's hoodie!! :) However, I believe that everyone wears a mask, or no one needs a mask.... necessity and safety dictate.....
Thank you. Yes Tyson would like his jacket. He’s a very interesting guy to listen to. I try to keep the kids away from the dust and protect myself and them when I can. That was a bit of a hectic day so I may have slipped a bit on that. Don’t remember.
I bet they love helping Dad 💕
Wow...now that's a kiln.
I love that this is a family affair and that everyone pitches in.....pottery is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome. Yes they all pitched in that day for sure. Haha
Matthew!!! I think the kiln unloading was fabulous! I was so excited to see it. I loved seeing all of your work and saw some spectacular pieces. I also enjoy seeing your children involved. Your young man is a big help working along side of his mom and dad. I am sure he felt like a grown up to be trusted to help unload. I have to say, what cracked me up though, was everyone wearing stocking hats and two of your kids wearing shorts along with the stocking caps. Your family is darling!
Thank you! It was a great kiln load of pots and the kids were a big help. Haha.
YES again, to the TURTLE/WAVE mug!!!
Haha. Thank you. I’ll be making more of those for sure.
Your kiln fire control is excellent, thank you for sharing
Must say, you handled opening your first wood fire kiln like a boss. I do not think anyone who has not built and fired their own wood fire kiln will understand the whirlwind of emotions. Well done and very happy everything turned out great !! Love it that your family is so involved, you are indeed blessed. Kind regards and many happy firings !!
Yes I have to say at times that day I almost felt depressed and I am a very positive person so I was conflicted but I knew enough that it was temporary and everything would be ok. Haha. I was happy to read your comment and know that someone understands. Cheers
At 25:54 - it looks like MY pot that is being unloaded. I treasure it Matt and thanks for your kind note.
You’re welcome Sally. That’s cool that you spotted it. Thanks for the support for the past couple years.
Love your work - phenomenal kiln opening! Well done!!!
Thank you very much
Thanks for sharing. You got great helpers, many steps taken for the unloading. Great pots too!
Thank you. Yes everyone pitched in on that one!
You are so talented. Your pots are amazing
Looks like you have some great helpers. I see my mug right there in the very front! I’m drinking tea from it right now. 😊
Awesome! I’m glad you spotted your mug. I can’t wait to fire again.
So nice to get the whole family involved! :)
Yes they all pitched in. Haha
Just keeping me more inspired! Thanks for sharing this. I concur with Charl, it is so difficult with all the work and effort to see what comes out of a kiln, not to mention the first firing for wood kiln. You definitely exhibited bravery on multiple fronts!
Thanks Ben, yes it was a draining day in multiple ways but in the end I was thrilled with the outcome. So many nice pots and so much potential looking forward!
LOVE THE TURTLE/WAVE MUG!!!!
Thank. I will be making more
Dang those are pretty vibrant blues for how high the pieces are fired. Really enjoy watching your vids
Thank you. Cobalt is a very resilient glaze chemical and withstands high temps and salt, thankfully.
Well done! Beautiful! Thanks for sharing your videos!
Thank you. You’re welcome
Ey up again matt
I just got to the end of the video..I feel emotionally exhausted!
That day must have been a roller coaster of feelings for you!
I mean I vicariously felt such anticipation peeking through the gaps, and the build up as the door went down...and down...and then the pleasure of seeing just a few of the pots up close, and such disappointment and loss about that beautiful cracked bowl/platter... my heart went out to you. But then i felt excitement and inspiration and eagerness to go grab some clay and get making some ginormous vases! Phew.
All that work, so much work... I can only imagine as I only fire a tiny electric kiln myself and I find unloading even that absolutely emotionally exhausting. And that's with none of the physical effort it took you and your family for this humongous kiln.
It's so hard to hold on to remembering that every disappointment means I'm learning. I think I really understand that you needed time to get used to the results...it's like we have this ideal imagining of what we hope each pot will look like and then, when it is somehow different, when it's become ''itself'', my heart can sink...and sink...but then with time my mind can do a total flip and end up appreciating the pot for itself (or not!). And, sometimes, I even like it more! Weird! So what's that all about then?
Is it just ''Expectations'' ?
I know this was a while ago now, but how did you feel overall, when you got to that very last pot?
And, if you don't mind me asking, how do you feel now?
It strikes me that to open and unload a kiln can be a super emotional experience.. I feel like i have to psych myself up into the right frame of open mindedness before I even go near it. And then I almost feel like I need to plan to meet up with a fellow Potter afterwards to be able to debrief and process all those feelings! Lol.
I'm kind of being flippant here, but kind of not. If you get me?
Btw I loved that really gentle guitar music and the shots in between the action of unloading, where I got just a stationary view of just the kiln with the pots in it, and also at the end, the glimpse of the walls all scored by the flame. That's a beautiful thing right there!
So, many thanks Matt. That was a wonderful start to my day.
It’s hard to say if it’s all expectations but that’s definitely a huge part of it. Someone commented last year that before you open the kiln everything inside is horrible and amazing at the same time until you open it and find out. It all depends on how emotionally involved you are in the process and the pots. I was physically tired and emotionally on edge unloading but it all turned out well. No matter what we expect the people buying don’t usually know and they still can find what they love! Cheers
I LOVE the turtle mug! I am SP happy to know that you have an apprentice.
Thank you. I will be making more. He’s not my apprentice anymore. That’s was a part time, short term apprenticeship last year.
I've been waiting to see this. So glad it was a success. I love that you saw the beauty in the kiln walls. I did too.
Thank you. Apologies that it took so long to edit and upload.
What a sweet family you have!
Thank you
Beautiful!!
Thank you
that is an amazing kiln
Thank you
Oh my word! How many pots were in there? That is phenomenal! Love this!
So much good hard work
Yes it was a ton of hard work
Loved the turtle mug. How many pieces were in the kiln.
I loved to that one.
I didn’t count them but I’m guessing at least 500. Maybe 750-1k
I’ll be making more turtle mugs. Hopefully I can have some in my Etsy sale come April.
@@MatthewKellyPottery Super. Your etsy store its same as your name here?
Enjoyed the video Matthew. That has to be really exciting to peek inside and then to unload the kiln. I'm sure it's allot more exciting unloading than loading. How long does it take to load it? Thanks for taking the time to produce the video. Y'all take care and God bless.
Yes it was very exciting although I was also exhausted from all the work going into it.
Ey up Matt
I'll try to be concise but know I'll fail. Apologies! I don't know where to start! I've so many feelings/thoughts about this video...
I doubt I'll ever be able to wood fire myself, so this is the closest I'll come to it...and just want to say a huge thank you, because I felt the excitement of glimpses of the pots, and then getting the door down and seeing this huge array of gorgeous pots you've made from earth. Just wonderful!
A question (if you don't mind)..I'm experimenting with slips too, and dots...but finding they are raised too much, I've tried squishing the pointy bit, and now trying to thin the slip more. Is your slip thin? Are the dots raised...are you worried if someone uses a bowl functionally and stacks them inside one another that the dots will be scratchy?
If you use a thinner slip the dots will be more round and less pointy. You just have to test it and find the right consistency.
Thanks for the compliments. The kiln fires amazing and it was a great experience. I can’t wait to do it again soon.
What do you do with your pots prior to wood firing? Do you bisque fire them first or just dry them.
Wow. That's a big kiln. How many pots were fired in that thing?
I want to know, too!
Unfortunately i didn’t count them but somewhere between 500-1000 would be my guess. Sorry.
I don't know if someone has asked this, but what recipe do you use for your wadding and or kiln wash? Those wads came off with such ease.
Hi Matthew!
Supernice work, your kiln is just awesome!
What kind of kiln shelves do you use there?
Greetings from Austria!!!
Thank you. It turned out to be quite a nice kiln. Those are oxide bonded silicon carbide shelves. They are very expensive but worth it!
I'm a relatively new potter and would like to know what you use for wadding. Is it straight clay, or do you add something to keep in from sticking to the pots?
I used two recipes but this one worked the best:
In parts
5 sand
2 alumina hydrate
1.5 kaolin epk
1.5 fireclay
I used Hawthorne fire clay
@@MatthewKellyPottery Thank you!
Everything is fine, only on the camera you need to set the white balance to manual mode.
Yes it did change some during the recording and I didn’t know that until editing. I record on my iPhone and the built in camera app does not have that option. I have a new light now for my videos that helps a lot with that issue.
How much work did it take, or i guess making time, to fill the kiln? Is that just one week worth of pots?😳
That’s probably 1-2 months making time depending on what I make and how focused I am. Haha
How days did you fire and what temp?
WOW!!! We just found you thanks to Jon the Potter. What kind of glass did you use in your bowl’s. (I almost wrote bowels...hahaha...hew)
I buy colored glass in 1ft square sheets from hobby lobby. Any craft store should carry it.
Will these be going up on your etsy site? Love your work.
Most of those pieces have been sold. That kiln opening was in October 2019 and just now got around to making the video. I’ll be firing again in March and will do another Etsy sale after that.
Do you make ash glaze?
How it was no fire?
Did you count the number of pots in your first firing? Looks like a couple hundred.
More than a couple hundred. I had around 150 coffee mugs and most of those were in that front stack. Haha
Unfortunately I didn’t count but I will try next time.
i have noticed you show a few of the cracked pots. what happens to them?
I usually keep them if they’re not too bad or just smash them to bits. Haha
how much did the kiln end up costing?
Thankfully I got all of the arch brick on a barter with another potter. I traded some thrown work for the bricks. If I had to buy all of the brick brand new it would have cost me $30 - 40,000. I think i still spent at least $20 - 25,000. I worked on the kiln for about 4 years but most of the work was in 2019 and I spent $15k in 2019 alone. Either way it will pay for itself and end up being a great investment!
Matthew Kelly Pottery Thats impressive! Im in highschool and i refined some clay from a river near me. i was looking to make a much smaller kiln just for some smaller pottery (i dont even have a wheel but im looking into that) and the price of bricks is definitely out of the range of my one summer job😂 Went through all the kiln videos and the amount of work that went into it definitely shows. Congrats on the kiln!
How many pots and how many pounds of clay to fill that kiln?
I threw around 2000lbs of clay to fill the kiln. Didn’t count the pots, sorry.
You are the best potter on the internet!
Neil DeGrasse Tyson would appreciate your son's hoodie!! :)
However, I believe that everyone wears a mask, or no one needs a mask.... necessity and safety dictate.....
Thank you. Yes Tyson would like his jacket. He’s a very interesting guy to listen to. I try to keep the kids away from the dust and protect myself and them when I can. That was a bit of a hectic day so I may have slipped a bit on that. Don’t remember.