Robin MacGrogan on fri 12 feb 99
Dannon,
I appreciate your response. Sounds like the pugmill isn't a good solution
for making one's own PClay.
I am wondering about the pugmill to recycle paperclay?
I've been following the thread started by Jenny Lewis on "decrepit potter".
After 30 years with clay... mostly thrown, I'm having to rethink how I work
and what I make. Recently I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I'm
determined to continue on with clay.
A few years ago I was in a move situation where it was necessary to sell
the studio and equipment. I no longer own anything but my wheel and other
basics. I need to re-purchase a pugmill, extruder, and slab roller IF they
will work for my situation. Long way of explaining 'why' my questions...
I'm trying to develop work requiring less throwing. My new work is large
scale and very detailed. I'm wondering about a slab roller for generating
slabs, the pugmill to recyle (wedging is almost impossible for me), the
extruder to produce necessary pieces for applied clay decoration. I use a
Dremel for detail carving, rather than traditional pottery tools.
PClay may be a solution to the problems one encounters trying to work on a
large piece over the course of weeks or longer. I must find some tools,
other than the one I've most depended on (me), to help carry on... and
carry on is what we all must do!
I'm guessing there are many potters out there facing similar challenges as
the ones I face. As potters, we so depend on our bodies and physical
strength. As humans, we all get old and parts can wear out. Trying to
reconcile the two is a challenge! So... all the info on possible tools with
which to work PClay will continue to be very helpful. Thanks!
Robin MacGrogan
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
>
>If you run the paperclay through the pugmill, it gets paper fiber EVERYWHERE,
>and it gets into all the other clays for centuries to come. At least,
>seems like
>it.
>
>There should be no reason to run it through the pugmill, since you are
>buying it ready-made, anyway. Paper clay's main fault re: detail is that
>it is very difficult to trim/carve. The little paper fibers clog your tool
>with
>each and every cut. It can be done, but it is annoying, so you will want to
>design with as little trimming in mind as you can manage.
>
>Dannon Rhudy
>potter@koyote.com
>
>At 10:35 AM 2/10/99 EST, you wrote:
>>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>>I've just ordered a test batch of ready made paper clay. I'm excited to
>>explore the possibilities.
>>
>>I noted R. Gault (in her book) did not recommend a pug mill for paper clay.
>>I'm wondering if any of you have experience pugging up new paper clay,
>>rolling it out with a slab roller, or putting it through an extruder.
>>
>>The work I'm currently tackling is very ornate... lots of applied clay,
>>carving, etc. I'm hoping the PClay will help eliminate the difficulty of
>>keeping moisture correct in all the pieces, extending the working time. I'm
>>hoping the PClay will work with lots of detail. Your comments and
>>suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
>>
>>I've reviewed all the PClay sites I can find, including the great info in
>>the ClayArt archives.
>>
>>Robin
>>
>>
>>
| |
|
