Help Carmen get her Kiln

 

Hello everyone,

     My name is Carmen and I would really appreciate your help in buying a Gas Kiln to start my own business. I studied Workshop Ceramics many years ago at the Harrow Campus of Westminster University in London. We left the UK to live off grid in the Serrania de Ronda, Andalucia, built a house with a wild finca garden, full of cork oaks and olives, vegetables and herbs. I have always been creative from mosaics, to jewellery, to curtains, cards, masks, fermented foods, concoctions, potions and lotions......but my heart lies in making pots and tiles and plates and bowls and anything in between.

    Luckily I studied Reduction gas firing, as we live with a solar system for our self generated electricity and therefore would not be able to use an electric kiln. A Reduction firing gas kiln is shut down at a certain temperature making a lazy flame, grasping for oxygen. This is found in the glazes on the pots, the flames lick and dance around, turning and changing the glazes. You can never be certain what will come out of a kiln and it makes for great excitement when you finally crack it open. It really is Alchemy of the most thrilling kind.

    I received a small pension pot this year which just covered the amount to buy the kiln from Barcelona. Unfortunately the VAT of  €1.500, the temperature gages, shelfs and props , scales etc.....were not included in the price. Therefore I need to fund that part and would appreciate any kind gesture from anyone. In exchange I would like to make you all something unique and special when I am up and running. I would also like to do courses and workshops which you would all be invited to participate in.

    I have paid half in advance and will have to pay the rest when the kiln arrives in approx. 6 weeks time, which takes us to mid November. Fingers crossed. As most of you know this has been my dream for such a long time and you are all probably fed up of hearing me go on about needing a kiln. I can not wait any longer as I do not want to be too old and bewildered to get going....

     Thank you for taking the time to read this and a heartfelt thank you in anticipation of your kindness and generosity in helping me to achieve my dream. I will keep you posted.