Karen and Cliff Sandlin on sat 3 nov 01
Hi - I was reading with interest the posts in reply to the potter who
was not centering correctly. I have the same problem from time to time.
I forget which method works for me, as I learned several, and apparently
try to use them simultaneously, which does NOT work. Today I was VERY
frustrated. Could not even pull a simple cylinder. My clay kept
peeling off. I think it is overworked from taking so long to center and
probably with too much water added for the same reason.
Is there a SIMPLE basic method of centering that does not take brute
strength? I have several pottery books and each gives a different
method.
Also, perhaps my problem is in wedging. I used to wedge a cone. Then
someone taught me the ramshead, but told me to practice spiral wedging.
In the process of using all three, I have forgotten how I used to wedge.
In the past I have made nice pieces. I don't know what has happened. I
am about ready to chuck it all.
I am using all different cone 5-6 clays and am trying to find just one
or two that work better for me. Could changing from clay to clay add to
my problems?
Has this ever happened to anyone else, or am I alone in my frustration?
Joan & Tom Woodward on sun 4 nov 01
If you love it, don't chuck it! I had enormous trouble with centering for
months when I was first learning. Then someone showed me a different method
which happened to work for me. What a relief. From time to time,
definitely with different clays, I have trouble again. If I really get
stuck I go back to basics, like some of the suggestions you've already
received. Or looking at a book that has been useful in the past. Or
watching someone. Bracing is something I tend to forget. Breathing is
convenient, too. I also know that there are just periods that I am
successful and times when I am not. So, take heart. If you've done it
before, you can do it again. And then some.
Joan
>
Dave Finkelnburg on sun 4 nov 01
Hi!
I am no expert on this subject but here's what I've learned. First,
Ivor Lewis is right. Clay which is too dry and stiff is very hard to
center, particularly for a relative beginner. By the way, I don't know any
production potters who work with stiff clay. It just takes too long to
center!
Second, I like to think of centering in terms of pushing on one part of
the clay, from one side. If you think about the clay spinning around a
perfectly centered vertical rod, some of the clay is too far out in one
direction. If you hold the heel of your hand firmly in one spot, the high
points hit your hand and tend to be pushed toward the center, reducing the
amount of clay that is off center.
The secret is all in keeping the heel of that hand steady, and not
having it bouncing around as the clay lumps hit it. Taking just a bit of
the high points at a time helps. Bracing against your leg helps most.
Actively using your leg to drive your hand in the direction of the clay,
slowly and in control, helps the most.
In all, I do believe it's not the clay, it's the consistency, or
firmness that may vary and affect how difficult it is to center.
I hope this gives you some ideas to think about.
Dave Finkelnburg, off the spade the garden on a gorgeous fall day in
Idaho
From: Karen and Cliff Sandlin
Is there a SIMPLE basic method of centering that does not take brute
strength?
Susan Ford on sun 4 nov 01
I was looking for clays and changed from clay to
clay, too. I found one that I could absolutely NOT
throw anything with. Also the constant switching
was a pain. I finally just settled on one clay that I
knew was readilly available.
It doesn't matter how you wedge as long as the air
bubbles are removed. Pick one and stick with it.
It sounds like you have five people's opinions and it's
getting you confused.
Susan
On 3 Nov 2001, at 23:11, Karen and Cliff Sandlin
wrote:
Hi - I was reading with interest the posts in reply to
the potter who was not centering correctly. I have
the
same problem from time to time. I forget which
method
works for me, as I learned several, and apparently try
to use them simultaneously, which does NOT work.
Today
I was VERY frustrated. Could not even pull a simple
cylinder. My clay kept peeling off. I think it is
overworked from taking so long to center and
probably
with too much water added for the same reason.
Is there a SIMPLE basic method of centering that
does
not take brute strength? I have several pottery books
and each gives a different method.
Also, perhaps my problem is in wedging. I used to
wedge a cone. Then someone taught me the ramshead, but
told me to practice spiral wedging. In the process of
using all three, I have forgotten how I used to wedge.
In the past I have made nice pieces. I don't know what
has happened. I am about ready to chuck it all.
I am using all different cone 5-6 clays and am trying
to find just one or two that work better for me. Could
changing from clay to clay add to my problems?
Has this ever happened to anyone else, or am I alone in
my frustration?
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Susan K. Ford
Norman, Oklahoma
http://www.clueless.norman.ok.us/sf/rerhome.htm
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-- Confucious
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