Martin Howard on sun 3 dec 00
Dian wrote:-
layers of foam (inside the platter) which leave the rims hanging in air
when they are turned upside down for the addition of feet. >
This idea of turning of foam is not sufficiently well known IMHO.
With larger pieces, the very weight holds them firm in the middle of the
large foam circle which is stuck to the wheel head with a little slip. The
pots can be turned inside and out as required. I know, I know!! one should
learn to throw more accurately, but when moving pots to a demo spot I throw
thick. Thin soft pots do not travel well, even from the pottery to the
village hall.
But using foam just on the inside means that even poor rims can get the
turning treatment.
They can also be slipped by brushing or pouring while in this position, if a
suitable collecting tray is in place.
The one problem is if you are demonstrating in a place with new floor, as I
was yesterday. A new village hall. Then using the foam makes the piece that
much higher up that the turnings and slip fly over the top of the wheel
surround and onto the floor, so I was forced to use the old fashioned clay
retaining bits stuck to the wheel head around each Cat Bowl.
The local Cat's Society was having it's Christmas Fayre. So I threw lots of
simple dishes the night before then demonstrated how to make Cat Bowls, with
impressed letters for each cat's name and decorated with white slip and
Mocha to represent the trees of Saling or a whiskery moggy face. Then they
will be glazed with a Cat Litter clear glaze. I called them Magical Moggy
Mocha Bowls. Those not taken up at the Fayre will go to deserving cats down
Woolpits Road, once I get all their names sorted out.
The usual group of youngsters surrounded me, then nagged their mums to buy a
bowl for the cat. Of course there is no money in these events, but it's fun
to see the wonder on those childrens' faces as the turnings fly off and the
mocha works on the slip. They also help me find the right letters amongst my
60 point printers letters. Of course I could line all the letters up
alphabetically, instead of just having them in a heap on the table, but
searching for them us more fun.
Martin Howard
Webb's Cottage Pottery
Woolpits Road, Great Saling
BRAINTREE, Essex CM7 5DZ
England
martin@webbscottage.co.uk
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