Hanne Bjorklund on sun 7 mar 99
For me, this is about acknowledging that the clay and the moisture it
contains needs TIME, (sometimes a lot of it), to respond to what we ask of
it. The clay is willing enough, but unless WE are patient enough to give
the clay sufficient time, it simply cannot grant us our wishes.
Early this year I attended a week long workshop on hand-building large
pieces, --like stuff that would punch a hole in the ceiling of a
conventional living room. The firing cycle that the Tutor uses takes FIVE
DAYS. It was a great eye opener into the nature of clay. I am working
with a 5cu' kiln, so all MY ceilings are totally safe, --at least for the
foreseeable future.
Platters with deeply embossed textures need to dry VERY slowly: Like wrap
them in plastic with one or two punched holes for maybe a month, so that
the water in the clay has an opportunity to continuously distribute itself
evenly through the clay as it dries.
That's what the clay really wants to do! If dried too quickly the thin
bits will dry and shrink before the heavier bits, and cracks happen!
Happy Potting.
Hanne, from the land of Upside Down.
Bjorklund@Clear.Net.NZ
"Please, Great Spirit, grand me Patience, but HURRY."
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