Loretta Languet creates a variety of fine crafted
stoneware pottery. Most items are intended for everyday
use; mugs, bowls, plates, pitchers while still others are
intended for special occasions, cream and sugar sets,
cups and saucers, teapots and serving vessels. All
pottery is completely functional (dishwasher and
microwave safe) and designed with intent of complete
comfort of use.
The pottery is first thrown on the potter’s wheel. While
the pots are still wet they are decorated with different
atmospheric slips designed to utilize the fires unique
effects. The pots are glazed in a variety of colors and
patterns and then loaded into a salt kiln.
About The Salt Firing
Salt firing dates back to 15th century Germany, where
potters discovered that throwing quantities of common
table salt in the kiln at high temperatures caused a
chemical reaction with the clay, forming an attractive
brown natural glaze.
Loretta Languets’ pottery undergoes a multi step
process. The first step is the bisque firing, in which dried
pots are put into an electric kiln and brought to
temperature of 1800 degrees F. When cooled glazes
are applied. The pots are then fired again in a propane
fueled salt kiln, to a temperature of over 2300 degrees F.
The salt kiln is heated with two powerful burners. Salting
happens in several increments beginning at
approximately 2100 degrees F. Two to four pounds of
salt are put into the kiln at one time. The salt vaporizes
in the kiln. The damper is closed down for several
minutes to keep the sodium vapors in the kiln. Then the
damper is opened until the kiln atmosphere clears. This
process is repeated several times until the quality of
glaze is right.
Salt firing can be extremely unpredictable, and failures
occur in every kiln load. However it is this very
unpredictability that potters find so rewarding. Aside from
the natural warm browns that firing with salt produces,
unexpected colors and marks often appear as if by
magic, with striking results. It is these effects, these gifts
from the kiln, which make salt firing so endlessly
compelling. The results are one of a kind pieces that
unify the mark of the artist and the process of creation.
stoneware pottery. Most items are intended for everyday
use; mugs, bowls, plates, pitchers while still others are
intended for special occasions, cream and sugar sets,
cups and saucers, teapots and serving vessels. All
pottery is completely functional (dishwasher and
microwave safe) and designed with intent of complete
comfort of use.
The pottery is first thrown on the potter’s wheel. While
the pots are still wet they are decorated with different
atmospheric slips designed to utilize the fires unique
effects. The pots are glazed in a variety of colors and
patterns and then loaded into a salt kiln.
About The Salt Firing
Salt firing dates back to 15th century Germany, where
potters discovered that throwing quantities of common
table salt in the kiln at high temperatures caused a
chemical reaction with the clay, forming an attractive
brown natural glaze.
Loretta Languets’ pottery undergoes a multi step
process. The first step is the bisque firing, in which dried
pots are put into an electric kiln and brought to
temperature of 1800 degrees F. When cooled glazes
are applied. The pots are then fired again in a propane
fueled salt kiln, to a temperature of over 2300 degrees F.
The salt kiln is heated with two powerful burners. Salting
happens in several increments beginning at
approximately 2100 degrees F. Two to four pounds of
salt are put into the kiln at one time. The salt vaporizes
in the kiln. The damper is closed down for several
minutes to keep the sodium vapors in the kiln. Then the
damper is opened until the kiln atmosphere clears. This
process is repeated several times until the quality of
glaze is right.
Salt firing can be extremely unpredictable, and failures
occur in every kiln load. However it is this very
unpredictability that potters find so rewarding. Aside from
the natural warm browns that firing with salt produces,
unexpected colors and marks often appear as if by
magic, with striking results. It is these effects, these gifts
from the kiln, which make salt firing so endlessly
compelling. The results are one of a kind pieces that
unify the mark of the artist and the process of creation.
