Janet Kaiser on thu 11 oct 01
Welcome to our Clay Art Community, Waltraud!
Your English is super - much better than my German (I
speak better than I write :-) I am answering in German
to keep the "international" reputation of our Clay
Village going. There are several German speakers
amongst us, but they always write in English (Hello
Lena, Heidrun, Inge, Günter, Nikki, Martina and Co!)
Now, which make do you have. Written as lustre (not
luster), it must be a British product? Are there no
instructions on the container? There are different
sorts and methods, but in general one must always
expect very nasty and not to say dangerous and
unhealthy fumes. And not only during firing... I can
only recommend you apply (the lustre) outside and keep
all the windows in the whole house open before, during
and long firing. Ventilate, ventilate, ventilate - also
when you freeze and your family/colleagues complain
loudly! I know people who are made sick from the very
smell... But our American Clay Art friends will be able
to explain better. I am actually an ex-potter and am
not quite up to date on technical matters.
I can only say, it is advisible to do some tests. Even
if it is expensive. Apply too thinly and you get
stripes. Too thick and it "blobs". It must also be and
remain totally fat and dust free.
I am very interessted in your slate glaze... 90% slate?
If it is similar to our slate in North Wales, I can
imagine how matt it is... Also dark brown. I should
think a few gold bits are probably highly recommended
(desirable)?
Thinking of health and safety: I hope you also have a
good mask? Slate dust is also dangerous. Many here
suffer from silicosis - and not just workers and
ex-workers who work with slate, but also residents near
the slate mines and quarries. I know that there is
slate in Turingia and on the Rhine. May I ask where you
live in Germany?
I wish you a lot of fun and success!
Janet Kaiser - better than any Altavista or Babelfisch!
The Chapel of Art . Capel Celfyddyd
HOME OF THE INTERNATIONAL POTTERS' PATH
Criccieth LL52 0EA, GB-Wales Tel: (01766) 523570
E-mail: postbox@the-coa.org.uk
WEBSITE: http://www.the-coa.org.uk
| |
|
