It was so exciting to arrive at the studio for my weekly session and to see my secret project platter waiting for me on my shelf! It came through the second bisque fire perfectly, and all the colors are now baked into place. All of the shades of underglaze I applied to the leaves are just popping off the surface. These are the true colors that will be seen in the final piece. All that remains now is to apply the clear gloss coats and send this off to the kiln for the Cone 6 firing that will make this platter dinnerware safe.

I needed to apply three coats to both the front and the back side of the platter, and it’s interesting to see that the supposedly clear glaze looks like white frosting all over the back of the charcoal gray color on the back. It completely covered up all the colors on the front as well. But when it gets in the kiln, the clear coat will melt and become transparent, revealing the colors below.

As a final touch, I wiped off the rim and added Ancient Copper all along the edge. Then I took it over to the glaze shelf, said a prayer, and will be waiting on pins and needles for next Friday, when I will get to pick this up and share the full story.

Please send your very best thoughts, prayers, and good-karma wishes for a successful final firing!