Laura Moon on sat 12 jun 99
Hi all
Anybody have any experience storing dry glaze materials, oxides, stains, etc.
in a damp building with no airconditioning?
I live in South Florida - it gets pretty damp down here (like right now with
near 90 degree weather and going on 4 days of rain)
I would welcome any inovating ideas on storage of these materials.
Thanks,
Laura Moon
Cheryl Tall on sun 13 jun 99
Hi Laura:
I live in South Florida also, and my garage where I keep my glaze ingrediants
got 2 inches of water on the floor yesterday from all the rain. And my computer
flickered on and off because of all the lightning, even with a surge protector.
I go to Target and buy Tupperware like plastic containers with tight lids. They
come in all sizes. As soon as I get my shipment, I transfer the powders into
these containers. Seems to work. Anything metal will rust. Plastic bags get
ripped. You probably need to protect your gram scale also, because it will
corrode.
Drying out today,
Cheryl Tall
chryltal@bellsouth.net
www.streetfestflorida.com
Laura Moon wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hi all
>
> Anybody have any experience storing dry glaze materials, oxides, stains, etc.
> in a damp building with no airconditioning?
>
> I live in South Florida - it gets pretty damp down here (like right now with
> near 90 degree weather and going on 4 days of rain)
>
> I would welcome any inovating ideas on storage of these materials.
>
> Thanks,
> Laura Moon
Joyce Lee on sun 13 jun 99
Hey Laura,
I have no really "innovative" solution, but I found that just storing
the brown bags of chemicals inside those clear plastic, stackable
storage boxes with tight lids works for me ... and I have many, many of
those little, and some not so little, bags. I then list, on the side of
the box facing out into the studio, the names of the chemicals in that
particular box. Materials which I use in large amounts, such as EPK,
each have a separate container. I find it handy to keep all those small
thrift shop items and purchased tools designated for decorating stored
in the same clear lidded-box style of container ... with contents listed
on the front, also. Additionally, my test tiles are stored in stackable
shoebox-sized clear plastic containers, again with type of tests listed
on outside in marking pen. My #1 Support Person also built two
wheel-height 18" by 4' wooden boxes, with removable lids that have some
sort of plastic material glued to cover them, which I use for storage.
These sit on either side of my trimming wheel where they function as
work tables, but could easily be used for glaze materials. Since we're
talking storage (and I'm always trying to find ways to make my studio
less messy ... difficult when you're a naturally messy person such as
I), I also have those stackable plastic basket things, which were
probably originally designed to store various kinds of produce ... the
ones with the little legs that join it to the basket below? ... These I
use for all those bits of paper I seem to collect: articles, clayart
printouts, notebooks for firing records and glazing information, and
catalogs in one central location. If things get too dusty, I cover the
whole stack with a plastic cloth. All these items are relatively
inexpensive, hold up well in our arid, arid climate, and can be used for
other purposes if I no longer need them for their present usage.
Joyce
In the Mojave discovering belatedly that I need such a container to hold
the wild birdseed, which just sorta' haphazardly wound up in a corner
of the studio next to the door. On a sub-concious level, I've been
noting that some of my pots have maybe a tablespoon or two of bird seed
inside them ... hmmmm ... finally jumped to the forefront of my
beleaguered brain that visitors have acted upon their own ideas of
proper storage by helping distribute the seed to more convenient
spots... disappointed that I didn't get to observe the field mouse
making his rounds ...
NakedClay@aol.com on sun 13 jun 99
Hi Laura!
I once lived and made ceramic sculpture in Oakland, CA, which is known for
its fog and damp atmosphere, particularly in the winter months.
I saved all the glass jars I had (mayonnaise, jelly, peanut butter, etc), and
stored my glaze materials in these containers. Be sure to wash the jar
thouroughly with soap and water, then allow it to dry out, before pouring dry
oxides or other raw materials into it.
Out here in California, there's a restaurant supply retailer called "Smart &
Final Iris." SFI sells glass storage containers, as well as plastic ones, in
several sizes and shapes, at a reasonable price. Perhaps Florida has a
simular restaurant supply company.
Good luck to you!
Milton NakedClay
Yucca Valley (Mojave Desert), CA
Back at the ranch, dry and toasty today--the weather, that is!
Herb Moses on sun 13 jun 99
Hi Laura. I do not know whether there is a "Container Store" in your area.
If so, go exploring through it. They have the most incredible selection of
storage containers. I got these things that are basically very large
tupperware containers. They are round, with lids that snap on tight, and
they hold a 50 pound bag of whatever. You can stack them on top of each
other, too. For smaller quantities, I use shoebox size containers. Stack
nicely on the shelf and I write the material on the end. Really small
quantites, like cobalt, get put in really small plastic containers. Good
luck.
Herb
http://www.usapottery.com
Palm Springs Pottery
Now Open!
198 S. Indian Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262
----- Original Message -----
From: Laura Moon
To:
Sent: Saturday, June 12, 1999 6:20 AM
Subject: Storage of Glaze Materials
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hi all
>
> Anybody have any experience storing dry glaze materials, oxides, stains,
etc.
> in a damp building with no airconditioning?
>
> I live in South Florida - it gets pretty damp down here (like right now
with
> near 90 degree weather and going on 4 days of rain)
>
> I would welcome any inovating ideas on storage of these materials.
>
> Thanks,
> Laura Moon
>
Don Prey on sun 13 jun 99
In a message dated 06/12/99 6:21:10 AM, you wrote:
<etc.
in a damp building with no airconditioning?
I live in South Florida - it gets pretty damp down here (like right now with
near 90 degree weather and going on 4 days of rain)
I would welcome any inovating ideas on storage of these materials>>
Hi Laura,
I used to store my materials in a basement in upstate New York. Now I store
them in a room off the garage in Oregon. Not as humid as your conditions,
but there is in both cases a constant supply of atmospheric moisture. Almost
none of the materials we deal with are hydroscopic (i. e. taking up water
from the surrounding air). Zinc oxide is one exception I can think of at the
moment. It should be sufficient to store these materials in rigid plastic
containers with lids......they don't have to be air tight. It is always good
housekeeping and safety practice to get the materials out of the paper or
plastic bag they may have been in when purchased and into an unbreakable
container with a proper lid ( and a good permanent label). I hope you get
additional information from the really high humidity folks on the list.
Don Prey in Oregon
Bill Williams on mon 14 jun 99
I don't live in Florida, but I do have my work area in a damp basement, with
no airconditioner. The basement leaks a little and we have had a ton of
rain this year. I keep my dry glaze materials in plastic zip lock bags.
The larger amounts I keep in large trash bags. So far I have had no
problems. Connie
-----Original Message-----
From: Laura Moon
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Date: Saturday, June 12, 1999 8:20 AM
Subject: Storage of Glaze Materials
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Hi all
>
>Anybody have any experience storing dry glaze materials, oxides, stains,
etc.
>in a damp building with no airconditioning?
>
>I live in South Florida - it gets pretty damp down here (like right now
with
>near 90 degree weather and going on 4 days of rain)
>
>I would welcome any inovating ideas on storage of these materials.
>
>Thanks,
>Laura Moon
>
Stephen Mills on mon 14 jun 99
My first Workshop was relentlessly damp (it was in a hillside & the back
wall ran water when it rained). My next door neighbour made melamine
laminates, the materials for which came in cardboard drums. I stored all
my bulk materials in these and found that the cardboard "blotted" up the
residual moisture in the powders and because it could "breath" kept them
dry no matter what. Needless to say air circulating around the drums was
important but not vital.
Steve Mills
Bath
UK
In message , Laura Moon writes
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Hi all
>
>Anybody have any experience storing dry glaze materials, oxides, stains, etc.
>in a damp building with no airconditioning?
>
>I live in South Florida - it gets pretty damp down here (like right now with
>near 90 degree weather and going on 4 days of rain)
>
>I would welcome any inovating ideas on storage of these materials.
>
>Thanks,
>Laura Moon
>
--
Steve Mills
Bath
UK
home e-mail: stevemills@mudslinger.demon.co.uk
work e-mail: stevemills@bathpotters.demon.co.uk
own website: http://www.mudslinger.demon.co.uk
BPS website: http://www.bathpotters.demon.co.uk
Heidrun Schmid on mon 14 jun 99
Hi Laura,
I am living in bangkok, Thailand, where it is very humid most of the time all
year round. I keep my dry glaze materials in tightly closing plastic containers
or tin containes and they are o.k. Heidrun
Laura Moon wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hi all
>
> Anybody have any experience storing dry glaze materials, oxides, stains, etc.
> in a damp building with no airconditioning?
>
> I live in South Florida - it gets pretty damp down here (like right now with
> near 90 degree weather and going on 4 days of rain)
>
> I would welcome any inovating ideas on storage of these materials.
>
> Thanks,
> Laura Moon
Ditmar/Gayle on mon 14 jun 99
Step 1. Get some pallets from local stores and use them to keep the
materials off the concrete and / or floor.
Step 2. Get some garbage bags ( thicker - the better) and put the bags
of materials into them. Double bagging is even better. Twist ties or
whatever is easiest to open for you, to close the top.
If your budget can handle it, plastic bins / trash cans / storage
containers are great for holding the bags of materials. It keeps the stuff
from flopping around and makes it easier to label and find, etc.
For stains and other small quantities, use thick freezer bags, and store
them in the freezer. ONLY if you're sure they won't contaminate or
otherwise be a detriment to your, and your loved ones continued existence.
If you do that, make sure to let the stains, etc. get back to room
temperature BEFORE you open the bag to measure them, otherwise condensation
will clump everything up.
Tupperware, and those kinds of sealable plastic containers are also good.
Both in and out of the freezer.( For truly bullet-proof storage and safety,
put the plastic bags into the Tupperware. )
If things gum up in spite of efforts, put the stains / oxides in a shallow
metal pan and dry them on the kiln during the next firing and re-package.
If none of that works for you, leave Florida, and move to Tucson.
From Alohaland, Ditmar.
Sara O'Neill on mon 14 jun 99
I am very fortunate to have a good solution for glaze ingredient storage. I
have a pharmacist's drug cabinet that was discarded. The cabinet is quite
air-tight, has heavy duty adjustable shelves and best of all, the door seals
very tightly. All of my chemicals are in storage containers, labeled, and
neatly organized. I understand that frequently these cabinets are upgraded so
you may want to visit your neighborhood pharmacist and ask for the old
cabinets when they upgrade.
Sara O'Neill
Geometrix Clay Designs
Diane Woloshyn on mon 14 jun 99
Hi Laura,
I too live in muggy, hot Florida. Store my glaze materials in plastic
containers with snap lids. Have had to problems.
Diane Florida Bird Lady
claypots on mon 14 jun 99
-------------------
=22Delicat=22 cat food containers work great for chemicals, and they fit on =
most
shelves.
Debra
millie carpenter on wed 16 jun 99
I am very, very frugal, you can get plastic tubs with lids big enough
to store a 50 lb. sack of clay or chemicals or glaze or whatever for $2
from dunkin donuts, or one from the icing which is better to store
small ammounts. also I get my neighbors to save ice cream tubs,
margerine tubs, whipped topping and give them to me instead of the
recycling center. I made labels on the computer and stick them on. by
basement is a little on the moist side also. as long as the lids are
tight there is no need to by the tupperware/rubbermaid stuff.
Millie in Md. School was over for the kids Monday, and I am out of
there tomorrow.
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