David Hendley on fri 30 sep 11
Mel, I am used to so much space I wouldn't be able to make more than
a dozen mugs in your studio without tripping over myself and knocking
drying pots off the wareboards.
And I've had one of those ceiling-mounted heaters in a studio - played
havoc with keeping things drying slow and even.
So, you adapt to where you work and what you what you have to work
with. I would certainly have a big heater if I lived in your region. I know
your place works for you.
I am fortunate to have so much space. My kiln shed is as big as Mel's
studio, all outside in addition to the studio space becasue it's never
too cold to fire the kiln.
Luckily, in Texas no heat or A/C is needed most of the time, so I don't
need to bother with it - there are plenty of other things to do on
those occasional 104 degree or 20 degree days......
THIS last summer was the exception - the hottest summer ever in my
almost 60 years of living in Texas! Wildfires to boot - I haven't fired
my wood kiln in 2 months, and will not until we get some serious rain.
My week in Minnesota in August was a welcome respite!
David Hendley
david@farmpots.com
http://www.farmpots.com
http://www.thewahooligans.com
----- Original Message -----
> it has one Achilles heal.
> when it is 104f degrees outside, it is 104 inside.
> and the night time temps are 96.
> he does not make pots at that temp.
>
> on the other hand, my studio in minnesota is
> 70F+- every day of the year.
> my studio is a beer cooler...a giant one.
> with a very small a/c i can keep my studio at 70
> in the hot season. and the small furnace mounted in the ceiling
> keeps the studio at 65-70 all winter.
> when i am not working, the studio drops to 40. i turn
> on the heater and in ten minutes it is warm.
> my kiln is behind a wall in a non-heated space with all
> my chemicals and odd tools. it is about 5 steps to my kiln.
>
> with the severe weather of minnesota..highs and lows, it is imperative
> that i can work any day i wish. i never stop for weather.
> in fact...when it gets -25 i often hunker in my studio for long
> stretches...the same when it is 92 and humid.
> into the studio.
Karin Givon on fri 30 sep 11
Mel, we really need to see a photo of you on your pink lawn chair!
We MUST find some way to post photos! It makes me giggle just to
think of it. ( maybe better than photos: the mind's eye)
Karin Givon
mel jacobson on fri 30 sep 11
it has one Achilles heal.
when it is 104f degrees outside, it is 104 inside.
and the night time temps are 96.
he does not make pots at that temp.
on the other hand, my studio in minnesota is
70F+- every day of the year.
my studio is a beer cooler...a giant one.
with a very small a/c i can keep my studio at 70
in the hot season. and the small furnace mounted in the ceiling
keeps the studio at 65-70 all winter.
when i am not working, the studio drops to 40. i turn
on the heater and in ten minutes it is warm.
my kiln is behind a wall in a non-heated space with all
my chemicals and odd tools. it is about 5 steps to my kiln.
with the severe weather of minnesota..highs and lows, it is imperative
that i can work any day i wish. i never stop for weather.
in fact...when it gets -25 i often hunker in my studio for long
stretches...the same when it is 92 and humid.
into the studio.
like my friend david said. like firing..there are things that
make it perfect...and you follow that protocol.
my studio is weather perfect. it makes me want to work.
no excuses. the return for weather control is well worth the
small expense. pennies a day.
and one of the key factors of our new book. the kiln and studio
in integral. as you age, and your body starts to fade a bit, you
sure do not want to trudge into the snow a half block with
a board of pots...and stand outside in the cold to fire your kiln.
i made those decisions when i built my studio. (yes, i built it.)
everything is under one roof, and close by.
it pays life long dividends.
mel
(like i pointed out to zak, our wood fire potter at the farm.
`will you feel like going into our 40 acre wood lot and cut trees
and the hand split the wood, haul it, and fire the kiln for 20 hours
when you are 55 years old, or 65, or 75?` learn now to fire gas and wood.
do both, have alternatives.`
but, on the other hand, i love sitting in my pink lawn chair with an
iced tea and watch zak work his butt off. he is a dynamo. and on occasion
i have been known to stand, walk to the kiln and throw in a piece of
wood during the firing. i am a helper.
from: minnetonka, mn
website: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/
clayart link: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/clayart.html
Lee on sat 1 oct 11
I've found, that my work sprawls out into whatever space I have, so more
space isn't necessarily better.
You learn a lot about efficiency in Japan, even in the pottery
studio. The wheel platform combined with overhead racks is super efficient=
=3D
:
you put just finished work on the rack over the throwing space. As you
need space there, you move work from over head to the rack suspended from
the ceiling behind you. You never have to leave the wheel if you prepare
enough clay for your work period. You also use the platform as a work
table for handbuilding, decorating and assembly. .
When graduated apprentices came to help with the noborigama firing=
=3D
s
at my teacher's workshop, they'd cover the wheel hole and sleep on the
throwing platform, similar to how monks sleep at a zen monastery.
--
Lee Love in Minneapolis
http://mingeisota.blogspot.com/
"Ta tIr na n-=3DF3g ar chul an tI=3D97tIr dlainn trina ch=3DE9ile"=3D97tha=
t is, "T=3D
he land
of eternal youth is behind the house, a beautiful land fluent within
itself." -- John O'Donohue
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