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response to wedging clay and table heights

updated sun 11 nov 07

 

Virginia Dawnswir on fri 9 nov 07


Hi, Yes wedge and throw soft. Soften clay: slice your hard clay, about
1-2 inches each slice, dip each slice in water and drop into plastic
bag. The increased surface area of the clay gets water all around and
more uniformly moistens it. The clay needs overnight, or a couple of
days. If still too stiff, repeat.
Table height: I like to use the physical therapists guide line for cane
and crutch handle height. Table top should reach the middle of the
three creases on the inside of your wrist. If you are short like me,
5'2", all tables and counters are too high. Get a 3'x3' foot piece of
3/4" to 1" plywood, or double up thinner, some blocks of wood and
bricks. Make a temporary platform using the blocks and bricks and try
out different heights. When you find the height that works best for
you, build a permanent stand from your plywood.
I have tables of different heights in my studio to accommodate different
tasks. If you are in a school studio set up, and are short, bring a
collapsible step stool with you. For you tall people out there, you can
put blocks under the legs of tables to get the right height for you.
Warm Clay: in winter I often bring my clay for the next days work into
the house and put it by my wood stove. I have been thinking about
making a warm box to heat clay. I think a light bulb in an insulated
cooler might do the trick. This way I could have warm clay year round
and give my arthritic hands some therapy each time I throw!
virginia dawnswir

Dawnswir Designs
virginia.dawnswir@anarchycreek.com

Carl Finch on fri 9 nov 07


At 11:05 AM 11/9/2007, Virginia Dawnswir wrote:
>Hi, Yes wedge and throw soft. Soften clay: slice your hard clay, about
>1-2 inches each slice, dip each slice in water and drop into plastic
>bag. The increased surface area of the clay gets water all around and
>more uniformly moistens it. The clay needs overnight, or a couple of
>days. If still too stiff, repeat.
>Table height: I like to use the physical therapists guide line for cane
>and crutch handle height. Table top should reach the middle of the
>three creases on the inside of your wrist.

Three? WHICH three?!!

Dang young whippersnappers!

--Carl
in Medford, Oregon
losin' count on so many things these days,
but unable to forget e=2.718281828459045...
Just can't remember what it stood for

gsomdahl on sat 10 nov 07


Virginia Dawnswir wrote:
> For you tall people out there, you can
> put blocks under the legs of tables to get the right height for you.
>
At bed and bath supply stores you can get blocks used to raise beds.

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