Chris Schafale on sun 8 mar 98
Greetings Clayart-ers --
I've been following the recent posts about colored clays with some
interest, as I've been wanting to do some agateware work. As far as
mixing one's own colored clays, my understanding is that most people use
Mason stains. However, I've gotten some mixed signals about the
toxicity issues with these stains -- some people seem extremely
concerned, others not at all. How can I figure out which are the
safest ones to use (assuming reasonable precautions should be taken when
using any)? Are there some colors/ingredients that one should avoid
altogether? I don't have my own kiln yet and am restricted by the rules
of the city parks & rec facility where I fire my work (electric kilns,
cone 6). The center director says I can use stains as long as I use
those which are "non-toxic" -- is there such an animal? Any help would
be greatly appreciated.
Chris Schafale
setting up my first studio in Fuquay-Varina, NC
Monona Rossol on mon 9 mar 98
Chris Schafale wrote:
> How can I figure out which are the safest ones to use (assuming reasonable
> precautions should be taken when using any)? Are there some
> colors/ingredients that one should avoid altogether? <
Get the ingredients from Mason--if they'll tell you--and avoid the highly
toxic metals such as cadmium, lead, antimony, chrome, nickel, antimony, etc.
If they wont tell you, you have no way to judge.
> I don't have my own
> kiln yet and am restricted by the rules of the city parks & rec facility
> where I fire my work (electric kilns, cone 6). The center director says I
> can use stains as long as I use those which are "non-toxic" -- is there
> such an animal?<
Nah. Less toxic perhaps, but not non-toxic.
Monona Rossol
Arts, Crafts and Theater Safety
181 Thompson St., # 23
New York NY 10012-2586 212/777-0062
http://www.caseweb.com/acts/
Cindy on wed 11 mar 98
Mason lists the ingredients for each of their stains on their color chart.
Also, most of the more comprehensive catalogues list the ingredients of
those Mason stains they offer.
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels
Custer, SD
USA http://blackhills-info.com/a/cindys/menu.htm
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