Rick Hugel on sat 14 aug 99
I was having a clean studio problem, too, until a did a few things that
made life easier.
1. Don't wear your outside shoes in the studio. Take them off at the
entrance and wear sandals in side. If you have to go in and out of the
studio often, have different sandals for outside use ONLY. That way you
don't track in the muck, leaves, dirt, etc. It really makes a huge
difference! And any one who comes into the studio has to do the same thing,
so keep several pairs of slippers, sandals, whatever, for guests.
2. Keep everything a few inches off the floor so a broom or mop can easily
get to the dust, clay shavings, dog hair, etc. without having to lift and
move everything about. I built a two tier clay wagon with heavy duty
coaster wheels - more to keep the clay up off the floor than to move it
around cause it is really not that mobile. I also built a rack for my bats
which sets right next to my wheel. Any dried clay that falls off is easy
to sweep away because I can get a broom under it. I even have my wheel off
the floor with two lengths of 4 x 4's under the front and back. Again, to
get a mop or broom under it.
3. Get - or make - a long handled dust pan so you don't have to stoop to
gather the dust and a short handled broom(one you can use with one hand).
You can walk around the studio sweeping the dust up without moving things
and with a minimum of bending/stooping.
4. Keep a good size bucket of water handy with a couple of wiping rag. Use
it liberally to wipe off work surfaces, dunk in tools to clean and wipe,
rinse off hands, whatever. That way, you don't have to keep walking over
to the sink with clay gooey hands messing that area up too. If the water
gets too ikky, it is easier to trash it a few times a day than always
cleaning the sink area.
5. Build a work board with a ridge around it for tool holders/sponges/and
so on, and set it within reach while you are working at the wheel. Cut a
hole in it to hold your water container so that it is just about level with
your hands(if possible with your type of wheel). The ridge will keep all
the muck, etc. under control and later you can just scrape/wash all the
water and clay through a hole into a catch dish.
These things helped me quite a bit, but in the end - clay dust is clay dust
- and it is always going to be the ubiquitous studio annoyance. Still, we
have got to try, don't we.
Good luck
Rick
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I've been waiting for someone else to say it: As a very messy potter, no
>matter
>how much I try to be otherwise, I dislike the clean-up process most. I
>clean up
>some between throwing and trimming, lots before glazing, and occasionally
>between the three types of clay that I use, if I'm foolish enough to throw
>with
>more than one clay at a sitting. Any neatness tips would be gratefully
>appreciated, though I can't guarantee that I would implement them
>successfully.
>
>Joan in Alaska, about to get some exercise while the weather allows.
>
>Hi Joan,
>
>I'm afraid there's no help for it :) But if someone does have a suggestion
>or two, I'm all ears!
>
>Regards
>Kizzy (aka Piggy Potter :o)
>In Prince George, BC, cloudy, overcast and *perfect* for photographing pots!
Corinne P. Null on sun 15 aug 99
Rick,
I'm a little concerned with all the sweeping that you're doing. The clay
dust that you stir up will stay suspended for over 24 hours! I use a big
sponge to gather all the larger pieces of clay, and then mop up the rest.
You are correct about the large bucket and wiping rag - an excellent
solution for the floor too, I'm afraid.
Corinne Null
Bedford, New Hampshire
null@mediaone.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU]On Behalf
Of Rick Hugel
Sent: Saturday, August 14, 1999 10:18 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Subject: Re: worst thing, come, cleaner studio
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
I was having a clean studio problem, too, until a did a few things that
made life easier.
1. Don't wear your outside shoes in the studio. Take them off at the
entrance and wear sandals in side. If you have to go in and out of the
studio often, have different sandals for outside use ONLY. That way you
don't track in the muck, leaves, dirt, etc. It really makes a huge
difference! And any one who comes into the studio has to do the same thing,
so keep several pairs of slippers, sandals, whatever, for guests.
2. Keep everything a few inches off the floor so a broom or mop can easily
get to the dust, clay shavings, dog hair, etc. without having to lift and
move everything about. I built a two tier clay wagon with heavy duty
coaster wheels - more to keep the clay up off the floor than to move it
around cause it is really not that mobile. I also built a rack for my bats
which sets right next to my wheel. Any dried clay that falls off is easy
to sweep away because I can get a broom under it. I even have my wheel off
the floor with two lengths of 4 x 4's under the front and back. Again, to
get a mop or broom under it.
3. Get - or make - a long handled dust pan so you don't have to stoop to
gather the dust and a short handled broom(one you can use with one hand).
You can walk around the studio sweeping the dust up without moving things
and with a minimum of bending/stooping.
4. Keep a good size bucket of water handy with a couple of wiping rag. Use
it liberally to wipe off work surfaces, dunk in tools to clean and wipe,
rinse off hands, whatever. That way, you don't have to keep walking over
to the sink with clay gooey hands messing that area up too. If the water
gets too ikky, it is easier to trash it a few times a day than always
cleaning the sink area.
5. Build a work board with a ridge around it for tool holders/sponges/and
so on, and set it within reach while you are working at the wheel. Cut a
hole in it to hold your water container so that it is just about level with
your hands(if possible with your type of wheel). The ridge will keep all
the muck, etc. under control and later you can just scrape/wash all the
water and clay through a hole into a catch dish.
These things helped me quite a bit, but in the end - clay dust is clay dust
- and it is always going to be the ubiquitous studio annoyance. Still, we
have got to try, don't we.
Good luck
Rick
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I've been waiting for someone else to say it: As a very messy potter, no
>matter
>how much I try to be otherwise, I dislike the clean-up process most. I
>clean up
>some between throwing and trimming, lots before glazing, and occasionally
>between the three types of clay that I use, if I'm foolish enough to throw
>with
>more than one clay at a sitting. Any neatness tips would be gratefully
>appreciated, though I can't guarantee that I would implement them
>successfully.
>
>Joan in Alaska, about to get some exercise while the weather allows.
>
>Hi Joan,
>
>I'm afraid there's no help for it :) But if someone does have a suggestion
>or two, I'm all ears!
>
>Regards
>Kizzy (aka Piggy Potter :o)
>In Prince George, BC, cloudy, overcast and *perfect* for photographing
pots!
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