Earl Brunner on tue 17 jul 01
We've been dancing around the real issue here, and we have talked about
this before.
As long as we rely on the manufacturers to provide ready made clay (and
glaze) for us, using their recipes, then we are at their mercy.
Most of us don't do this with our glazes. If we are quite comfortable
mixing our own glaze and modifying glaze recipes, why don't we do the
same with our clay?
You do not have to mix the clay recipe or have the equipment to do so,
the same suppliers that don't/won't share their formulas will be happy
to mix your blend or recipe in quantity (usually a ton minimum). That
should be no big deal for us. If it is a good recipe, even if we don't
need or want a ton of it at once, we should be able to combine orders
with someone else to get the quantity.
It is my understanding that Tom Coleman was having his porcelain made by
one supplier and they were not being consistent enough making it, so he
took his recipe to a different supplier, who was willing to be a little
more precise in the measuring. He also allowed them to produce and sell
it to others (I don't know what the arrangement consists of).
If we, as a body of clayart people were to develop some recipes that
were consistent and reliable and matched the qualities that we liked and
PUBLISHED the recipes to clayart members and made the recipes "public
domain" then anyone could have any supplier mix the clay for them/us.
If we were only buying the clay that we knew the formula's for, and
enough people were doing it, secrecy would be out the window.
There would be no secrecy, because we would have control of the recipes.
If problems arose over a change in one or more ingredients, we would
make the adjustments and post the changes to the list. You could get
suppliers to discuss before mixing if they know of any variables in the
materials.
So, what about it guys? (ok, gal's too)
--
Earl Brunner
http://coyote.accessnv.com/bruec/
bruec@anv.net
Ron Roy on wed 18 jul 01
Good ideas Earl,
There is still the problem of quality control - I would suggest also
finding a way to constantly evaluate those bodies and finding someone to
make adjustments as needed.
Back to finding a manufacture that tests I guess.
RR
>If we, as a body of clayart people were to develop some recipes that
>were consistent and reliable and matched the qualities that we liked and
>PUBLISHED the recipes to clayart members and made the recipes "public
>domain" then anyone could have any supplier mix the clay for them/us.
>If we were only buying the clay that we knew the formula's for, and
>enough people were doing it, secrecy would be out the window.
>
>There would be no secrecy, because we would have control of the recipes.
> If problems arose over a change in one or more ingredients, we would
>make the adjustments and post the changes to the list. You could get
>suppliers to discuss before mixing if they know of any variables in the
>materials.
>So, what about it guys? (ok, gal's too)
Ron Roy
RR# 4
15084 Little Lake Rd..
Brighton,
Ontario, Canada
KOK 1H0
Residence 613-475-9544
Studio 613-475-3715
Fax 613-475-3513
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