Kate Johnson on sun 2 dec 01
Well, patient list...
I discover this morning that I have need of both spooze (or the clay and
paper pulp mixture?) AND advice. I've been experimenting with very simple
raku clay pinchpot teabowls that take a lot less time than my elaborate
pinchpots that incurred so much damage last time around. I want to try
firing some in the chiminea or barbeque, and expecting a reasonable loss
rate for such play, these ARE pretty simple.
However, I'd like 'em not to break just YET. I made one with little ball
feet, and thought I'd used plenty of slip to attach them, pressed the foot
firmly into the clay, then smoothed the slip somewhat at the joint...I
didn't roughen or score either the ball or the clay when I attached them,
though, thinking I didn't want to leave a space for air between them.
Mistake. One foot has fallen off. These are greenware stage (do you still
call it that, when it's unfired, or am I dating myself?).
So. My question is--do I use the spooze or other repair stuff just as if it
were slip, even though the unfired bowl is bone dry at this point? How
thick do you apply it? Should I score the bowl and foot? Can I smooth most
of it off the outside or will it show?
I'd been told once clay dried you were pretty much up the creek if you had a
problem, so this is all new to me...thank you for your patience.
If it breaks I'd sorta like for it to be in the fire, not NOW...
Best--
Kate
Cindy Strnad on sun 2 dec 01
Dear Kate,
I've found it difficult to get properly attached
feet to stay put during a pit firing, so be
forewarned. That said, when this happens to me (I
ordinarily go to even less trouble than you did,
so it does happen occasionally), I just spray with
vinegar or magic water and wiggle the foot around
until it sticks. If it doesn't stick, I spray it a
little more and repeat. This will get them through
the bisque, and after that, the glaze will fix
them more firmly. I feel this is all right to do
with small, delicate pieces, but I wouldn't want
to do it with a large pot, as I'd be afraid the
feet wouldn't be strongly enough attached. None of
which helps you much, of course.
Try this, or use a dab of whatever concoctions
you've mixed up, and fire your pieces as desired.
Don't get that chimenea too hot, or it'll crack
apart. A kettle-type barbecue grill may be safer.
Since you're not bisque firing first, I do
recommend that you at least heat the pieces up in
the oven to minimize the thermal shock of the
fire. If the little feet fall off, then glue them
back on after firing. I like to use silicone, but
anything that works is good.
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
USA
cindy@earthen-vessels-pottery.com
http://www.earthen-vessels-pottery.com
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