NakedClay@aol.com on sat 19 jun 99
Hi all you Clayart fans!
As a person who lives in a dryer climate, I have just the opposite
problem--the clay often dries too soon, especially during the hot, dry summer
months. Since this is a timely thread, I thought I'd add a suggestion for
others who have a similar problem. This may also work for those who live in
moreso humid climates.
Outside of my studio, I have two old refrigerators, which serve as a "wet
cabinet." The door seals on these "Frigidaires" prevent quick drying, once
the ware is placed inside. This allows the wares to dry slowly, a must for
me, since I often slab-roll my clay fairly thin. I also store my bagged clay
in these refrigerators.
There is also another advantage, one that has been discussed on another
timely ClayArt thread--I'm recycling an old, otherwise useless appliance!
Milton NakedClay@AOL.COM
A stiff breeze cools the desert air as I type this.
NakedClay@aol.com on tue 22 jun 99
Iajhparagon@yahoo.com writes:
> For those in dry areas, what would be a good alternative to using
> refrigerators? Would draping plastic around the ware also slow drying
> sufficiently?
>
> Thanks,
Arnold Howard
> Paragon
____________________________
Hi Arnold!
I've used plastic, for short-term (1-2 hours) protection of unfinished wares.
A person can routinely spritz water on the ware, duing the formation process,
too. But if I want the pot to remain leather-hard for a day or so, a closed,
cool, damp environment is needed.
The air in the desert (I live in the Mojave Desert) is dry and hot,
particularly in the summer months (current temperature: 98, and rising).
Wares being made here dry quickly, perhaps too quickly! The discarded
refrigerators I use provide a temporary resting place, so that I can make a
number of items (I'm a mask maker), and store them until I'm ready to apply
engobes, make further "cuts" or indentations in the mask, or just to dry
slowly, until I'm ready to bisque-fire the masks.
Thanks for your inquiry.
Milton NakedClay@AOL.COM
Milton NakedClay@AOL.COM
Carolynn Palmer on wed 23 jun 99
When we were unable to get an old refridgerator down into our basement
studio, we build a damp work storage box around one of those 6 ft cheap
plastic shelving units ($35) with 2 inch blue styrofoam, we cut the syrofoam
to the size of the shelving and using the glue they sell for it, made an
airtight box around the shelving unit. We even glued the styrofoam right to
the shelving unit. Using a piece that was loose for the door. We just lazily
propped this "door" into place when we were using the box. This was
lightweight, could be made in any size, and kept pots damp and workable for
weeks.
Carolynn Palmer, Somerset Center, Michigan
| |
|
