Nils Lou on thu 10 jun 10
Thought I'd combine stuff here, so choose what might be of interest.
1. Twenty-five years ago I made bells and discovered that when we mixed
our clay body with sand it did not ring nearly as well as when mixed =3D
with=3D20
grog. The clay mix was basically fireclay, some ball clay, maybe 20% =3D
feldspar.
My supposition was/is that the sand particles bounce around in their =3D
little
cavities and grog doesn't. (Sorry Cat, not too scientific an analysis).
2. Sometime in the 70's I made an experimental kiln for someone in the=3D20
Arizona desert using diatomaceous earth we scooped up locally. We made a =
=3D
wooden form
for the walls, about 7" thick. Poured the floor. Rammed the walls with =3D
2x4's.
The mix was like:
D.E. 50%, fire clay 30%, portland cement 20%, =3D20
Mixed it in a cement mixer and added
sodium silicate to the water mix. like a quart to each batch with =3D
sawdust to taste.
Burner ports and exit flue were formed, of course. The roof was K-23, =3D
flat-top.
3. For a delicate grey celadon, try fuller's earth as an iron source...
4. www.laserspineinstitute.com for those inquiring about minimally =3D
invasive surgery
on back and neck problems. I know, thought I'd slip that in for those =3D
who read this far.
--nils
Neon-Cat on thu 10 jun 10
On Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 9:43 AM, Nils Lou wrote:
(Sorry Cat, not too scientific an analysis).
Ah sucks, Nils, please don't ever feel you need to apologize for not
being scientific. I like descriptions and that is more than enough.
OK? I like you just the way you are, except for those snails and slugs
or whatever you had going. My primary focus is clay craft technique
with hopefully a dash of art one day. That I can and do, from
time-to-time, engage in science is just one of those things with me,
like a side-trip. I love to know how things work at many levels.
Descriptions of all sorts give clues and I love it when potters take
the time to describe in their own words what's happening. If we were
to talk in person you'd laugh -- I can really butcher the language and
terms of pottery if I even know them and can't sometimes even describe
to someone what it is I am doing in my clay work or how (as far as
making goes). When briefly at the university I did study up on
artspeak ("Why Cats Paint" was a big help), making long lists of
adjectives and keywords, practicing out loud with these words and
phases, but darn, I'm just no good at artspeak, I usually start
laughing or giggling trying to run that play and so give it all away.
Anyway, sometimes it is good to be serious, most times I'd rather not
be. I usually get the picture any which way people talk or write, so
describe away...
please.
the Cat
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