Celebrities are the people most often associated with getting plastic surgery, which means they are the best source of warnings and cautionary tales.

In fact, if you’re currently considering a plastic surgery of any sort, you can learn a lot about what not to do by browsing some of the more (in)famous celeb plastic surgery stories you can find on the internet.

It’s good to learn from other people’s mistakes. So, to make sure you don’t repeat these mistakes, here are a few of the biggest lessons you can learn from celebrity plastic surgeries.

Victoria Beckham’s Boob Job

The good news is that Beckham now owns her mistake. She talks openly about the boob job that she underwent some years ago, and even jokingly calls her former boobs “torpedo bazookas.”

What went wrong? To begin with, the techniques and technology used in today’s breast augmentation surgeries have come a long way in the 20-or-so years that have passed since Beckham’s boob job. If you want to change the look of your breasts today, you can do so and still get a very natural look and contour. This wasn’t the norm in the early 2000s.

Second of all, Beckham simply went with too large of an upgrade in size, while also getting implants that were unnaturally round.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Today, you would be surprised at how natural modern implants look, feel, and move.

Mickey Rourke’s Face Lift

Many fans were left scratching their heads after Rourke’s facelift procedure a few years ago—particularly for someone who has always been known for his rugged good looks.

His age lines and chronically broken nose (thanks to his boxing days) actually endeared him to millions of fans. However, his facelift seemed to go a bit too far in smoothening his skin, which seemed to give him an unnatural appearance.

Rourke could learn a thing or two from his fellow leading man, George Clooney. Clooney admitted that he had eye surgery a few years ago. People were shocked because the work was so subtle that even his most die-hard fans wouldn’t be able to tell you exactly when he had the surgery.

Heidi Montag’s Excess

Montag is seemingly, and thankfully, in a good place now. But there were darker times where she admits that a wounded mindset led her to put her life in jeopardy and get an incredibly dangerous 10 surgeries in a single day.

This is obviously wildly unhealthy and she talks openly about it now. She says she was overwhelmed by the spotlight and the tabloid media (and trolls) at the time, and she made a mistake that she deeply regrets.

Learn from these celebrity mistakes. But don’t let them discourage you from getting a surgery or procedure. Success stories are now the norm! Your plastic surgeon can work closely with you to show you exactly how to meet your goals, while still maintaining a natural look.

The role of music within the casino industry isn’t a secret. Studies highlight the impact the right songs can have on the user experience, making players feel more relaxed and less tense by creating a soothing atmosphere. Also, melodies, from pop music to the sound of coins coming out of a slot machine, provide positive reinforcement.

Still, casinos have to choose which tunes to play, whether online or in-person. Get it wrong and the experience will be reduced, causing people to bounce to competitors. Thankfully for wagering establishments and their customers, the following techniques help to avoid this.

C Flat

Research proves that certain melodies are more pleasant than others. A prime example is the C chord, especially a flat C. Unlike other notes, it specifically makes people feel happier and more nostalgic, leading to an enhanced player experience for both remote and land-based establishments.

Studies into popular Western tones highlight how hospitality-centric sectors rely on repeating relatively simple and short patterns for this exact reason. Just as important is the fact that chord progressions in British and US pop music are easier to store in a person’s long-term memory, making the effect more powerful among regular players.

The C chord isn’t only reflected in the choice of background music, but also the noises of common casino features. For instance, slot machines are often programmed so that their sound effects are in this key.

Music & Familiarity

The more familiar the music, the higher the likelihood that casinos can appeal to different demographics. In essence, casinos need to engage customers to grab their attention and keep it, and music is ideal since familiarity is a vital component in engaging listeners on an emotional level. According to Portuguese research, familiarity results in songs being liked 1.4 times more than unfamiliar music.

The ability to use music has grown substantially as the industry has invested in technology. For example, the latest slot machines let casinos personalize the types of sound effects users hear. Online, the introduction of mobile applications has made games much more accessible, leading to an increase of regular customers.

As a result, applications that utilize music are available throughout the US, from PA casino apps to NJ, WV, and MI, and many more are expected in the future. By using familiar songs, casinos can improve the user experience, in addition to offering bonuses and other customer incentives. This is something that’s easier than ever thanks to the introduction of mobile technology and more advanced slots.

Easy Listening

Songs tend to be easy to listen to because it aids the unobtrusive nature of online and land-based casinos. Also known as “Muzak”, this form of music has been around for decades, and casinos aren’t the only establishments to use them.

Retail stores encourage shoppers to make conversions with the help of classic tunes or soft jazz as intense music is a turn-off. The difference between casinos and traditional stores is the entertainment aspect of casinos.

Instead of relying on speakers and radio channels, wagering premises hire bands and singers to add even more value to the music. Of course, the use of cover artists also ensures the songs are familiar, killing two birds with one stone.

The next time you frequent a casino, virtually or otherwise, keep an ear out for the melodies. The chances are that the most-picked tracks will be recognizable, easy to listen to, and played in a flat C chord.

Throughout the course of a standard week, it can be all too easy to start feeling disconnected from your family. As your kids get older, they are going to start finding their own friends and interests to occupy their time, and there is no getting around the fact that your schedule is packed enough to keep you busy throughout the week.

Nevertheless, no matter how busy you all become, you know just how important it truly is for you to put in the effort to spend some quality time together. This concept can often seem easier said than done, but spending quality time with your family is something that can’t be neglected or overlooked despite how busy you all are on a regular basis.

With that in mind, if you are looking to spend some more quality time with your family, here are three ideas for you to consider that can help you to reconnect with one another.

1. Take a Trip

Even though there are plenty of ways that you can start spending more quality time with your family on a more regular basis, sometimes what you all need is some time away from everyday life in order to reconnect and recharge. Furthermore, experiencing something new together can be one of the best ways to create memories that you can share for years to come.

That being said, it isn’t always feasible to pack up the entire family for a few weeks abroad for a holiday. Rather, look to take a trip together that is a bit closer to home. You can plan some fun and exciting getaways at one of the UK’s holiday parks that you and your family can take together without having to leave the country at all. Furthermore, such trips are far less stressful than having to plan, pay for, and execute a complete family holiday abroad.

2. Eat Dinner Together

It might sound like the simplest concept in the world, but eating a family dinner together most nights is truly one of the easiest ways to spend more quality time together. It is surely tempting enough to resort to quick takeaways that everyone grabs and eats in their own time for dinner, but taking this approach to your evening meal time means missing out on some great chances to catch up and bond over the events of the day.

Sitting around the table each night as a family will give you more insight into each other’s lives than you thought could be possible over the course of half an hour or so.

3. Take Family Walks

Another simple thing that you can easily incorporate into your daily routine is that of the family walk. By taking a little stroll together each evening, even if it is only for fifteen minutes or so, can allow you all the chance to chat together and get some fresh air and exercise. It is important to step away from work and schoolwork for a little while during the week to unwind and refresh, so why not do it together?

Your personal style is a unique expression of your own personality. Even if you don’t think you have a distinct personal style, the way you dress always affects the way people perceive you, to a certain degree, in different aspects of your life. So, we can’t deny that our selected outfit matters.

Hence, if you want to stay true to your personal style when you’re attending an interview or exclusive events, we have picked top style tips to help you upgrade your outfit and look your best.

Get Inspired

The first step is to get a sense of the dress-code that applies to that specific event. Of course, not every event comes with a set of written rules, but you can generally get a sense of the dress code based on what other people are wearing.

For example, if you have a date at a sporting event, most people are dressed casually, wearing sneakers, jeans, hoodies, t-shirts. So, there’s no need to dress-up for this kind of event, but you can still add a personal touch to your outfit and pick a statement piece like an accessory, scarf, jacket, or backpack.  Otherwise, if you choose to stay at home and watch a football match, you can wear whatever you like, and there are definitely more options for your outfit. You can visit a reputable site like Sportsbet and make bets on various sporting events.

This will definitely make your date even more exciting, and as we know, football is extremely popular in Brazil, and you can definitely make bets on football matches. Besides, there are many other options offered like tennis, cricket, rugby, so you can definitely pick something that suits your taste.

Style Tips for a Professional Interview

When you are going to a networking event, or you have an interview, you want your outfit to boost your confidence, but it should also comply with the dress-code policy of the company. The best way to have a clear idea of the dress –code is to visit the website of the event or the company.

They might share the information explicitly, or you can also find photos from the staff and notice what they’re wearing. For example, if the dress code is formal business attire, then you need to pick more professional clothes, including tailored pants, skirt suits, and business shirts.

Even if your personal style is more casual, you would need to make some changes. The same applies if you’re attending a networking event. Always check the dress code beforehand, and find photos from past networking events.

In case the company approves smart-casual outfits, you can wear dress shoes, dark jeans, a blouse, dress pants, or a skirt. Don’t forget that even you feel that you have limited options, and you can always find ways to remain stylish and showcase your style through accessories, jewelry, or cool shoes.

Style Tips for Special Occasions

Special occasions like weddings, cocktail parties are perfect occasions to present your style and get creative. Cocktail parties are less dressy than black-tie events, so you can wear a short cocktail dress, pick a great pantsuit, or a fancy knee-length skirt.

When you’re attending a black-tie event, you need to take into consideration dressy outfits like gowns, floor-length dresses, white cocktail dress, and matching accessories that elevate your look. So, you can definitely pick a glamorous outfit for black-tie events.

Final Thoughts

The dress-code always has an impact on the outfit you’re going to choose. At the end of the day, no one wants to stand out for all the wrong reasons. But, we all feel great and radiate confidence when we’re comfortable with our clothes. This is why it’s important to craft your personal style based on your personal preferences. Then it will be easier for you to and adjust your look to specific occasions.

Event traveling has always been important to the global travel industry often supporting the local tourism sector of smaller cities.

If you are involved in the online gaming industry, you are likely aware of the huge events that software providers and other companies occasionally hold. You are probably also aware of the fact that such events have simply not been feasible since the pandemic kicked off early in 2020. However, we have some good news on that front, for SAGSE (powered by Play ‘N’ Go) will actually be hosting the first event of 2021-  in Argentina. This is a strategic move too since Latin American holds the key to a potentially huge market for online gaming.

This event is scheduled for February 24th, and a number of huge companies have already booked in to attend. It’s going to be a good one, so let’s reveal a few more details now.

How will it actually work?

The event will work a little differently from how such networking events have operated in previous years – largely due to COVID restrictions and ongoing safety measures. In the past, these gaming events, designed to bring everyone together have worked like your typical trade shows, with thousands of attendees often being present. But with the current climate, this isn’t entirely realistic. Instead, companies and attendees can book in for what they are calling ‘living rooms’, where 8 people can still network and enjoy some food and drink.

Of course, if you are to expand a business for online casinos, online sports betting, or even online esports, you need to network with the right companies and individuals. The SAGSE event in Argentina is the absolute perfect place to do so, with face to face interactions being 100% guaranteed.

Key topics to be discussed

As you’ve probably guessed, most of the topics to be discussed here will be shaped around the online gambling industry in Latin America. While no ‘play-by-play’ structure for the topics has been published yet, there are certain topics that we expect to see more than others. The first of these will be the general landscape of online gaming in Latin America. If you follow the news closely, you’ll know that huge developments are underway concerning all forms of online betting in this part of the world – including casinos and sports betting.

To add to that, given the connection with Play ‘N’ Go, we expect that attendees will be exposed to some of the newest games and fresh technology to enhance the industry. This is always important to stay on top of since it’s natural for businesses to want to shine among a sea of competition, and how is this done? By supplying the best of the best, of course.

Another hot topic we believe will be discussed relates to esports in Latin America. Currently, some amazing competitors have come out of Latin America for esports like League of Legends, but the overall scene here isn’t at the top of the market yet. But with changes in betting regulations, increased esports viewing statistics here, and the evident passion for esports – the LATAM region is primed for lift-off. So, it’s no wonder this is likely to be discussed at length at the event.

What else will happen at the event?

Naturally, on top of the networking and discussions, the event needs to be fun for everyone who chooses to attend. While it’s always fun to discuss the future of the industry that your business is involved in, the general scene of the event is what keeps people coming back again and again. On that note, the event on February 24th will host two separate DJ sessions, an open bar, buffet services, and two separate prize draws with some incredible prizes for the ones that get picked.

As you can see, when SAGSE arranges an event – they do it correctly. While this is very exciting, we’ve still got to bear in mind that there will be certain restrictions in place to align with COVID regulations. While there will be a few live DJ sessions, people won’t be able to get up and dance around the venue. And for the open bar and buffet, attendees may need to wait longer than in previous years. Of course, this isn’t what they want to do, but safety is always going to be the number 1 priority.

Conclusion

Not only is Argentina a beautiful part of the world to host such an event, but it is one that could lead to a much better online gaming industry in Latin America – or so we hope!

In life, there are always going to be surprises. When it comes to financial planning, if you don’t keep this in mind, you’ll be in for a rude awakening. From sudden home costs to vehicle repair and maintenance to doctor and hospital bills, there could always be an unexpected cost just around the corner.

In order to help you stay organized, we’ve put together a list of 3 easy steps you can take to make financial planning easier, and help you stay on track.

Saving for the Future with the 50/30/20 Rule

It might seem like saving for big future investments such as buying a new car or upgrading to a new home are difficult goals to set. But the truth is saving can be a cinch if you know how to plan and execute.

All it takes is remembering the numbers 50, 30, and 20 — which will help you stay on top of necessities, save for the future, and spend a little on yourself as well.

Popularized by Elizabeth Warren and her daughter, the rule states that 50% your after-tax income should be going toward necessities including food, housing expenses, child care, and medical and pharmaceutical needs. 30% can go toward items that you want but don’t necessarily need such as travel, eating out, and other entertainment costs.

Finally, 20% of your income should be going toward your financial goals, including reducing your debts, contributing to investments and setting aside a nest egg.

Don’t Rely Overmuch on High Interest Loans

While it’s alright to occasionally use high interest borrowing options such as payday loans from GoDay and other lending parties for short term, emergency needs like medical bills, you should never borrow money you can’t pay back in a reasonable time. These loans can be helpful, but if you’re not careful you could be paying quite a bit in interest.

Be sure that you use this tactic only occasionally. It’s true that securing a Wonga payday loans from a trusted provider often means bypassing a lot of the red tape usually associated with big banks, and that it’s often easier to get approved, but the interest rates are usually high — so make sure you balance that into your financial plans for the month. Never borrow what you can’t pay back.

Save More on Groceries

To save more time, you can check ShipTheDeal coupons to further save on your your daily expense.

Purchasing groceries is one of the major monthly costs for any family — and it’s one that simply can’t be avoided. Food and other basic household items are going to be a necessary part of your finances month in and month out. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to save.

If you’re like most, you probably remember your mother cutting coupons and saving them for grocery day or hunting through store flyers for sales. You can do the same, only digitally. Sign up for digital flyers from your local grocery stores so you’re always up to par on the latest sales, and you can also find great deals with coupon apps like the aptly named Coupons app, which gives you deals on groceries and other products from your favorite stores like Costco and Target. These small savings add up over time, especially for large, bulk purchases.

Many grocery stores also offer points cards that reward you with large items such as barbeques and lawn furniture — which means you’re getting free items just for shopping for the things you would be anyway.

If you stick to these 3 tips, you’re already on the path to savings. Don’t let surprises get in your way. With careful planning, you can master your finances easily.

You’ve made the decision to replace all of your residential windows this year. Now the focus is on deciding what sort of materials would be best. A contractor with a reputable Vancouver window replacement company can provide you with some insight into what would work best. Don’t be surprised if the recommendation happens to be for vinyl windows. Here are four reasons why vinyl is a smart way to go.

Great Weather Resistance

Not everyone knows how well vinyl holds up to different kinds of weather. In fact, the vinyl used for today’s windows have a high rate of heat and cold resistance. The material is also UV resistant, a quality that helps to ensure it remains in top shape for a long time.

Thanks to these qualities, you don’t have to be concerned of things like warping, rotting, and discoloration. The vinyl will continue to maintain the original appearance for quite a few years.

High Rate of Energy Efficiency

The combination of the quality of the vinyl along with the double or triple pane glass used in the construction ensure that the windows offer the best in terms of energy efficiency. Assuming that you have excellent insulation in the home, those windows will make a big difference when it comes to maintaining the desired indoor temperature.

Consider what this means during the hotter or colder seasons of the year. You can bet that whether it’s a hot summer day or a cold winter night, it will take less energy to maintain a comfortable temperature indoors. This is one of the ways that vinyl windows help to save money over the years, since your utility costs will be lower.

Easy Maintenance and Upkeep

Unlike some of the other choices, vinyl windows don’t require a lot of upkeep or maintenance. Typically, you can clean them using nothing more than a damp cloth and possibly some sort of mild cleaning agent. Forget about painting the window frames and sashes every few years, since the color is deep within the material and is treated so it won’t fade.

Even if there is some sort of accident and you need to replace a sash or have some other work done, the process is a simple one. Many vinyl window manufacturers utilize components that a professional can remove and install with relative ease. That ensures your windows remain in great shape even if something out of the ordinary should arise.

More Peace and Quiet

Did you know that a vinyl window installation can help make things more peaceful inside the home? That’s because of the underlying layer of insulation that’s installed before the siding is put in place. Add in the fact that vinyl is a great insulator on its own and it’s easy to see how this solution would block more street sounds. If you would love to enjoy more peace and quiet while inside the home, this is definitely a solution you want to consider.

Talk with an expert from one of the local firms and find out more about what vinyl Edmonton windows and doors have to offer. Check out the available styles as well as the energy ratings. You’re likely to find this solution is exactly what you want for your home.

The house edge is one of the most misunderstood aspects of casino gaming. It’s expressed in two different ways. The first is the most common for land-based casinos, and it’s as a small percentage. An example of this is baccarat. There are a number of house edges for baccarat and they range between 1.06% and 14.36%. This means that of the money that you bet, the casino can be expected to take that percentage of your wagers. The second way that it works is as a larger percentage, but it is essentially saying the same thing. This is more commonly called the RTP, Return to Player, and is expressed as a larger percentage. It’s normally used for video slot games and will be something like 96.55%. This means of the money you wager you will get 96.55% of it back on average. Most casino games work slightly differently in how the house edge is calculated and how it works, so we’re going to take a look at how some of the most popular casino games work out the house edge.

Video slots

Video slots are some of the most popular games on the market at the moment. They tend to show the house edge as an RTP value. This basically means that a percentage of between 92% and 97% is normally given. This is how much you will expect to get back on average when you play. It doesn’t quite work that way though.

Because video slots pay out much larger wins than most other casino games – sometimes up to 10,000 times your stake and even more for progressive jackpot titles – this can impact on how the average works. So instead of getting back $94 from every $100 that you wager, you might get back nothing and someone else will get the benefit by grabbing a large win. The reason that these games are fair and do pay back what they say is because the average is worked out over a large number of spins. Sometimes up to 10,000 spins. So, the best way to give yourself a chance of winning a big win is to play for as long as possible.

A great way to do this is through a casino bonus. BonusSeeker offers the opportunity for players to easily find great bonuses. You can even get a Chumba casino’s no deposit bonus to help you increase the size of your bankroll and give yourself a better chance of beating the house edge.

Baccarat and blackjack

When it comes to baccarat and blackjack, these are two games that have very similar ways of deciding the house edge. For starters, the way the games work is by offering bets on different actions within a card game. In both games, the house edge will change depending on the bet that you have placed. The main difference between them is that with baccarat, you place the wager before the game starts and aren’t able to change it.

An example of this would be placing a wager on the banker to win before the game starts. In baccarat, you can bet on three main options: Banker, player and a tie. The banker offers the lowest house edge at 1.06% and the tie offers the highest house edge at 14.36%. This is how your choice can affect the house edge.

Blackjack is slightly different. Because there is a bit of strategy involved in how blackjack is played, the house edge changes depending on the move that the player chooses. So, by choosing better moves, you can lower the house edge and give yourself a better chance of winning. This is called Basic Blackjack Strategy and if you want to be a successful blackjack player, then it’s something that is well worth learning.

Roulette

Roulette is another game that offers different house edges depending on the wager that you place. It has more in common with baccarat than blackjack, as the wager is placed before the game begins and the player can have no impact on how the game pans out. However, the player can decrease the house edge and give themselves a better chance of winning just by choosing the right version of the game. For example, the version of the game that originated in France has a rule in place that lowers the house edge and gives players a better chance of winning. So, if you want to give yourself the best chance when playing roulette, choose French Roulette.

Are you a creative thinker with an eye for detail and design? Are you known among your friends for your signature style? Maybe changing trends throughout history fascinates you? If you have a sketchbook overflowing with ideas for funky new outfits, if you’re a whiz with a needle and thread, if you religiously follow your favorite beauty bloggers and brands, maybe Fashion School is for you. A structured education can be the first step in landing your dream job in the fashion industry – but first, here’s some things you should know.

Fashion School Can Be Expensive

It doesn’t have to be. Course fees can be prohibitive and intimidating, but there’s no need to let the expense of your dream course stop you from following your heart. Not everybody knows that there are easy ways to change your relationship to your student loans, but with a little time and research, you’ll discover multiple options for extra financing, and be able to work out a plan that suits your budget and needs. If you have existing student debt, there is the option to refinance student loans so take some time to check and see if refinancing means a lower rate for you.

Decide Beforehand What You Want to Get Out of Your Course

Are you a recent school leaver, looking to gain your first experience in the fashion world? Or are you interested in higher education – say, a university degree that will help you get your foot in the door? Do you want to learn from home, or does the camaraderie of a campus community appeal to you? It’s worth knowing beforehand what you want to achieve throughout your course, and where you hope to be by the end of it. These decisions will also affect your lifestyle, budget – maybe even where you live.

Every Fashion Course and School Is Different

Some institutions will value theory and coursework over practice. Others will want you to take a very hands-on approach throughout your education, completing work experience placements, participating in-group projects – maybe even running your own fashion show. If you’re interested in the analytical and historical side of fashion, you should look for a course and a school that prioritizes those elements. If you’re desperate to get your hands dirty, an apprenticeship or skills-based course could be the right fit for you. These will incur different costs, and have different requirements – for example, maybe you’ll need certain qualifications before being accepted. It’s important to know what financial resources are available to you, and how you can manage your money throughout your course in order to have the best possible experience.

Remember to Have Fun

Use your time at fashion school to make new friends and professional connections – after all, you’ll be surrounded (whether in person or digitally) by people with similar interests, ambitions, and goals. It’s always worth the time and effort to chat online, or go to bars, cafes, and museums with your new course mates as you never know where a group call or an outing might lead.

Ever since the discovery of fire, humans have been trying to control it and make the best use out of it. A few of these uses include creating glass and firing pottery vases and plinths, which led to the making of the first kiln in the year 8000 BC. Since then, kilns have evolved to reach higher temperatures and stabilize fire more effectively. A kiln’s importance in the world of pottery still remains notable to this day. Even with the development of new technologies every day, kilns haven’t been replaced. Instead, technology aided in the transformation of a kiln into an even more powerful and sophisticated instrument. 

For millennia, clay has been made into bricks, tiles, and pottery through the use of kilns. If the clay isn’t fired, it will ultimately break and shatter. There are many types of kilns out there, and each is suitable for various purposes. That said, there are many things to keep in mind when it comes to purchasing and owning a kiln. This is why you should read through this article to find out everything you need to know about kilns and why you should get one. 

Why you Should Get a Kiln

Kilns are the essence of pottery, and no piece would be complete without them. The first kilns were just holes in the grounds with bonfires on top. Today, kilns have become more revolutionary and intricate masterpieces themselves. Kilns greatly vary in sizes ranging from the size of a stove to the size of a whole room. A kiln is more than just an oven that helps fire your unfinished clay pots to turn them into artwork. The firing process is a craft on its own, and to get satisfactory results, you must be open to experimentation. The way a piece is fired has a great impact on the final result. 

Other Uses for Your Kiln

u are not quite the potter, kilns can be used for many things far beyond the scope of pottery. This will allow you to discover your abilities and work on different skills. 

Artwork Effects

Kilns can be used to give an aged, charred effect to your artwork. Kilns are known to use heat to conduct many chemical changes, including dehydration. This makes a kiln perfect for drying out fluid-based elements from your artwork, making it look antiquated. You can do this to get your paper look charred or to make your wooden artwork look aged. However, you must be careful because both processes require using extremely high temperatures. So before you start, it is recommended that you experiment and control different heat settings so that you don’t risk ruining your artwork.

Sterilization

A kiln can also be used as an instrument to sterilize your tools or materials. As long as a kiln’s dehydrating property does not damage your objects, a kiln would be great for sterilization. Because of high temperatures, kilns can sterilize a variety of kitchen supplies, utensils, metal instruments, and wooden structures. Kilns coated in a ceramic kit can also be suitable for sterilizing items that cannot be sterilized elsewhere.

Drying Wood for Furniture-Making

Kiln-dried wood makes the best furniture because the kilning process removes most of the moisture from the wood. For that reason, the folks at Buy Firewood Direct recommend that you use kiln-dried wood when making furniture. This is because when there is less moisture in wood, the furniture becomes sturdier and ends up looking even better. Small cracks, warping, and other similar issues are less likely to happen to kiln-dried wood. 

Metal-Work

You can use your kiln to make knives! To make a knife, you need dangerously high temperatures for molding and solidifying the metal. You can use a kiln to make any other metallic structures of your choice. It is the perfect instrument for this task as it has the proper and the required heat temperature coatings and settings that are needed to reflect the heat and concentrate it on the metallic object. 

Ceramics

Although you may think that they are close to pottery, ceramics differ in a lot of aspects and can be made with the help of kilns. To make ceramics, you need to use a different technique as their structure differs from that of pottery. They are also far more delicate and take a different form of shaping. Kilns that are covered in a ceramic coating kit would make an awesome, naturally-suited instrument for the making of ceramics. 

Different Kiln Structures

There are mainly two types of kiln structures, tunnel or continuous kilns, and intermittent or periodic kilns. The tunnel or continuous ones are mainly used for industrial manufacturing as they continuously fire and never cool down. To fire an item, it must be placed in a car that slowly moves through the kiln. Intermittent kilns, on the other hand, are mainly used by potters as they are less intense and fire periodically. When the items are placed into the kiln, the temperature is set, and when done, the kiln proceeds to cool down. 

Updraft Kilns

In an updraft kiln, the fire is at the bottom of it or below the floor level. It consists of three parts, a stack area, a firebox, and a damper. A firebox is at the bottom where the flame enters, while a damper is located at the top. The damper’s function is to maintain the exhaust and regulate the kiln’s atmosphere. The stack area, which is located between the firebox and the damper, is used to stack the pots. Updraft kilns are easy to build, package, and transport, which is why they make the majority of commercially built kilns. However, they are not as fuel-efficient as downdraft kilns.

Downdraft Kilns

In downdraft kilns, the flame is introduced at the bottom and flows upwards, then it is forced back down and is exhausted at the bottom due to the way the kiln is constructed. This forces hot air to circulate through the kiln. A downdraft kiln is made up of four main parts: a chimney (which creates a draw and airflow), a stack area, a firebox, and a damper. Downdraft and sprung arch kilns are among the most popular kiln structures. 

Sprung Arch Kilns

Sprung arch kilns have arched roofs that are built using a form. This form is removed when the construction of the kiln is completed; the arch stays in place and doesn’t require further internal support. To decrease the movement of the bricks that are used to build the kiln, and support the arch, kilns are framed with angle iron. This is because a kiln’s weight is displaced outwards due to the tension. 

Catenary Arch Kilns

Catenary arch kilns are made of self-supporting arches and look the same as a parabola that is facing downwards. These kilns can either be updraft or downdraft, and their construction also requires a kind of support similar to sprung arch kilns. However, the structure of a catenary arch kiln makes it less efficient when it comes to the stack section. 

Bottle Kilns

Bottle kilns look somewhat similar to the archaic beehive kilns. Beehive kilns don’t have flues, while bottle kilns have short chimneys. Bottle kilns can be shaped like bottles, domes, or take a circular form. They are usually constructed out of a wall and are updraft kilns. During the Industrial Age, they were used and fired by coals before they became replaced by continuous kilns. 

Types of Kilns 

There are three common types of kilns: electric, gas, and wood kilns.

Electric Kilns

Electric kilns are the most popular in the field of ceramics. They can also suffice for small pottery projects as they are relatively cheap, and the smaller ones can be directly plugged into a 120-Volt wall socket. These kilns fire in the presence of oxygen in controlled environments, which makes it easier for potters to replicate their work and yield consistent glaze results. 

Gas Kilns

Gas kilns are fired by natural gas and without the presence of oxygen. This makes the firing process very unpredictable, however, it results in rich, earthy colors. It is hard to achieve consistency with these types of kilns, so if a potter is looking to replicate their work, it might not work. Gas kilns are perfect for the production of unique pieces. 

Wood Kilns

Wood kilns are fired and fueled by wood and are a lot of hard work. This is because they need to be constantly stocked and re-fueled to maintain a high temperature. The wood firing process takes three times as long as other kilns. Though, when the wood ash falls and the pieces that are being fired, they create a unique, priceless glaze. This is why many potters still choose it over other kilns and believe that the results are worth all the hard work that goes into it. 

Other Types of Kilns

Other types of kilns can be used to achieve specific results. For instance, salt or soda kilns are used to produce the bumpy surface that can usually be found on stoneware pieces. This surface is achieved when salt is introduced during the last firing stages, allowing the salt to react with the heat, resulting in a residue glaze.  

Raku kilns are used to produce a metallic effect on pottery. Raku pottery is pulled with tongs out of the kiln after it is heated until it starts glowing. After the pottery cools down, it is immersed in cold water, resulting in a crackle effect. The carbon in the burning fuel turns unglazed areas of the pottery black. When the carbon is peeled off, the metallic result of the raku pottery appears. 

Purchasing a Kiln

Now that you are an expert on kilns, it’s time to make a purchase. However, there are a few things to consider before buying a kiln to ensure that you make the correct choice 

Understand Your Needs

It’s important to consider several aspects of the work that you intend to create before purchasing a kiln. Think about the size of the pieces that you will be making and whether they require certain dimensions or space. You should also know the amount of work that you intend to create at a time and the temperature range that you need to be able to fire them. Consider the type of glazes that you want to achieve and whether you need a kiln that enables the presence of oxygen. 

Heat Source

You need to take your electrical needs into account and compare them to your current electrical capacity if you plan on purchasing an electric kiln. If you are considering a gas kiln, make sure that you have a natural gas line at your location, and that its pressure is adequate. For wood kilns, you need to be prepared for the hard work and patience that this type of kiln requires. 

Space and Location

You should have enough space to accommodate the kiln that you are planning to buy. Make sure that you have at least one and a half feet of air space around the sides of the kiln. Check if you need clearance space under the floor for your ready-made kiln and that your floor is thick enough to stop any heat leakage if you are getting a built-in kiln. If your kiln will be located indoors, four feet or more of space overhead, even if there is overhead ventilation. 

Kilns are very intricate tools, and there is too much to learn about them. They can be used for a variety of purposes, come in many sizes and structures, and have many types. Kilns are the heart and soul of pottery and without them, potters wouldn’t be able to achieve satisfactory results. Each type of kiln results in a different finish and effect, producing unique pieces. They also come with different requirements and suit different needs. To help you make the right choice, refer back to this comprehensive guide to learn everything there is to know about them.