Ray Aldridge on tue 28 sep 99
At 01:15 PM 9/27/99 EDT, David Hendley wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I know this will not earn me any popularity points
>but, gee, I get tired of people complaining about
>their clay and the company that makes it.
(snipped a well-written call for potters to take responsibility for making
their own clay bodies)
>So, if you want a database that lists commercial claybodies,
>along with successes, handling characteristics, etc., it can't
>hurt anything, and might prove helpful. Let's start it now,
>on Clayart - any volunteers?
>I would consider such a list maybe interesting, but I certainly
>would not change anything I do because of it.
I'll volunteer. This is exactly the sort of thing the International Clay
Guild would like to publish on its website, which I'm about to start
building. So, if anyone has been given body recipes by manufacturers or
has friendly contacts with manufacturers, let me know, and I'll work on
such a database.
I find no flaw in David's reasoning, by the way. Making your own body is
the optimal tactic. Next best would be having your clay supplier make a
body to your specs, and this is a good option for anyone close enough to a
supplier who has the equipment and is reliable. But let's be realistic.
Most of Clayart's subscribers are not full time potters. Many are
academics-- many more are part-timers who must do clay in between many
other activities. Folks like these could really use such a database, and
even more important, could really use notification of changes in commercial
bodies. Many part-timers who buy a few hundred pounds of clay will make
that clay last for years, and even though it is indeed their responsibility
to test new clay thoroughly, it would be helpful if they had a heads-up
from an easily accessible database.
And after all, there's nothing wrong with giving consumers information they
can use to spend their money wisely. This is a process that leads to
better products and more responsive manufacturers. _Consumer Reports_ has
probably saved more lives and more money than all the government programs
directed at improving the safety of products.
Ray
Ron Roy on wed 29 sep 99
I would like to second Davids thoughts here.
I would also like to add - not all clay makers are the same. Some do test -
it is always a good idea to reward those that are doing a better job.
Many potters simply do not have the option of mixing their own clays but
there are steps to take so you lessen the chances of being a victim.
RR
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I know this will not earn me any popularity points
>but, gee, I get tired of people complaining about
>their clay and the company that makes it.
>And searching for that holy grail of perfect clay.
>I know people would like it to be otherwise, but
>you can't expect to dial a phone, give out your VISA
>number, and have perfect clay appear on your
>doorstep in a few days.
>The world doesn't work that way.
>
>First of all, everyone has different expectations and
>desires for their clay. Everyone uses slightly different
>techniques. Even with a variety of claybodies, a clay
>company cannot meet every person's expectations.
>In other words, the perfect clay does not exist.
>Second, things change. Every batch of clay will be
>different than the one before.
>
>So, if you want to use prepared ready-to-use clay,
>you have the responsibility to test the clay, extensively
>the first time you get it, and every you receive a
>new shipment. You need to order a new batch soon
>enough to test it before you use it for your work.
>If you want quality control, it's right there for you to test.
>
>As for clay companies handing out their recipes, well,
>there really are not any great secrets. A low-fire whiteware
>body will probably be 1/2 talc and 1/2 ball clay in Florida as
>well as Washington. There are only a few fireclays offered for
>sale, only a handful of kaolins.
>It's kinda like a cone 10 glossy glaze; heck, it's no trick
>to formulate one.
>
>Well, it really comes down to education and discipline.
>If you consider yourself part of an 'industry' and you have
>no idea what is in your primary ingredient, educate yourself!
>Read books, experiment.
>The next time you're at your clay supplier's place, have a look
>around. What are there dozens of pallets of in the warehouse?
>What clays are offered for sale in dry bags? If you know
>anything about clay formulation, you now have a good idea
>as to what's in your claybody.
>There's no reason for you to feel 'trapped' or 'locked in'
>to one clay. Know your stuff and test other options, and
>you'll be ready to switch at a moment's notice.
>
>Years ago, I voted against this whole system with my
>feet and my money.
>Just as I wouldn't blindly buy a pre-made glaze and base
>my livelihood on it, I am even more careful with my clay.
>It's way too important to me to let someone else take
>care of it and just deliver me the ready-to-go product.
>Sure, it's more work to develop your own claybody. Yes,
>it takes away from so-called 'creative time' (I would contend
>that it is the first part of the creative process).
>There are many other reasons that I make my own claybody
>that I won't go into, but have mentioned on Clayart before.
>(BTW, there are plenty of cheap, low-tech ways to make
>clay from dry bagged ingredients).
>
>So, if you want a database that lists commercial claybodies,
>along with successes, handling characteristics, etc., it can't
>hurt anything, and might prove helpful. Let's start it now,
>on Clayart - any volunteers?
>I would consider such a list maybe interesting, but I certainly
>would not change anything I do because of it.
>I also don't move to the 'most desirable' city each year.
>I don't buy the 'best performing mutual fund' or the hot
>new IPO stock.
>There's no substitute for the effort of thoughtfully and thoroughly
>taking control of the most important material in your work.
>
>Thanks for listening,
>--
>David Hendley
Ron Roy
93 Pegasus Trail
Scarborough
Ontario, Canada
M1G 3N8
Evenings 416-439-2621
Fax 416-438-7849
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