Meika Alberici on sat 4 dec 99
I recently heard that working with 'Black' Mason Stain in slip can be very
dangerous to ones health. I was told I should wear a respirator, and gloves
when mixing the slip, and when handling the pots, and working with them.
I like the effect of carving the slip, and the color black. However, I am
not interested in working with any material that will compromise my health,
nor do I really want to wear a respirator, and gloves to work.
So......can anyone suggest a substitute for the 'black slip' effect....? Or
another way to color the slip black, without it being dangerous to inhale or
handle...?
Thanks for your time.
Meika
Alex Wilson on sun 5 dec 99
Hello Meika, have a go with some red clay with the addition of some cobalt
oxide (or carbonate). Avoid manganese if you're worried, though I don't know
how long it would take to kill you, it can (Hans Coper). Remembering, of
course, that _everything_ is relatively poisonous - don't carve 'dry', and
_never_ sandpaper (oh my gawd!). Try generally not to inhale too much dust of
any kind - from your pots, your house, in the countryside around harrowing,
planting, harvest, or any time it's just plain old windy - lot o' free silica
flying about, you know. Wash your hands a lot. :)
Cheerio,
Alex, The Scottish Potter, asbestos underwear on just in case.
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