Linda Brant on thu 28 mar 02
Hi Everyone,
I am new to this discussion group and new to ceramics as well - most of my
artistic expression has been in the form of paintings. Anyway, I have begun
to make small ceramic human figures and have really enjoyed the experience.
I do not glaze the figures. Instead, I've been burnishing them to produce a
smooth, natural finish. I have had some problems finding tools that are
effective for burnishing very small areas and tight spots. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Linda Brant
Linda Brant, Ph.D.
Academic Advisor
Northcentral University
505 W. Whipple St.
Prescott, AZ 86301
(888) 327-2877 Ext. 8041
Sheriee Dardis on thu 28 mar 02
Hi Linda!
I'm very new to this group (and to ADULT pottery) myself but I think I might have something of a solution for you...
My background for the last 25 years is in custom picture framing (I am a CPF) and gilding. In gilding we use Agates to burnish the gold leaf into the clay bole. They are actually highly polished agate stones on handles and you can get very detailed with them.
You can purchase them from a company called Sepp Leaf Supply (or Sepp Gold Leaf) I believe they are in NY. I'll find their web address and post it later...
In the meantime, I'm glad to meet another "newby". Welcome!
Warmest Regards!
Sheriee
Linda Brant wrote: Hi Everyone,
I am new to this discussion group and new to ceramics as well - most of my
artistic expression has been in the form of paintings. Anyway, I have begun
to make small ceramic human figures and have really enjoyed the experience.
I do not glaze the figures. Instead, I've been burnishing them to produce a
smooth, natural finish. I have had some problems finding tools that are
effective for burnishing very small areas and tight spots. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Linda Brant
Linda Brant, Ph.D.
Academic Advisor
Northcentral University
505 W. Whipple St.
Prescott, AZ 86301
(888) 327-2877 Ext. 8041
______________________________________________________________________________
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You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
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Dupre Mr Marcy M on thu 28 mar 02
Linda,
Depending on the size and intricacy of your figures, and how highly you
choose to polish, the number of tools is quite literally limitless.
Spoons, tumble-polished stones, ground and polished metal rods, plastic
rods, steel pins and cotter keys, steel washers, polished bolts and bolt
heads, wrist pins for pistons, glass rods, polished ceramic bars and rods,
coins, river stones, marbles, and "found" parts of just about anything that
will polish clay, all come to mind.
Fella asked me what I use to get certain textures in my clay and in the
glaze applications I use. His eyebrows crawled into hishairline when I told
him, "Anything that strikes me of the moment."
You may give some consideration to using a Dremel tool with small polished
metal rods, pointed, rounded, flattened, to make your clay glisten. I would
recommend against turning the tool at high speeds. Slowly, slowly will do
the job you want.
Hope this helps,
Tig
Play Dirty!
Jennifer Assinck on thu 28 mar 02
Hi Linda:
I have been burnishing pots since last summer and have found various items from around the house to use. To burnish inside a narrow-necked vase, I used the end of a glass rod. I also found a polished stone that had an irregular shape that gave it a point on one end.
Here is an idea I have not tried, but now that I think about it I am excited to try it myself. Construct a tool from clay. Make the base of the tool wide enough to stand up in the kiln so that you can glaze all sides of the working end. Or, you could prop up the tool in a small cup so that the glazed part is above the lip of the cup. If this works, you can make any shape of burnishing tool.
Happy burnishing!
Jennifer Assinck
Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
>
> From: Linda Brant
> Date: 2002/03/28 Thu PM 01:31:46 EST
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Burnishing clay figures
>
> Hi Everyone,
>
> I am new to this discussion group and new to ceramics as well - most of my
> artistic expression has been in the form of paintings. Anyway, I have begun
> to make small ceramic human figures and have really enjoyed the experience.
> I do not glaze the figures. Instead, I've been burnishing them to produce a
> smooth, natural finish. I have had some problems finding tools that are
> effective for burnishing very small areas and tight spots. Any suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
> Linda Brant
>
>
>
> Linda Brant, Ph.D.
> Academic Advisor
> Northcentral University
> 505 W. Whipple St.
> Prescott, AZ 86301
> (888) 327-2877 Ext. 8041
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
>
Linda Brant on thu 28 mar 02
Tig,
Thanks for the suggestions. I've tried spoons and stones but found that
they just didn't 'reach' where I wanted them to. Quite possibly, the steel
washers, metal or glass rods would work for me. Using the Dremel tool is
also an interesting idea - with some practice, I might even be able to do it
without serious breakages! I like the idea of being open and receptive to
the possibilities - burnishing tools could by lying about right here in my
office!!
Thanks again,
Linda
-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
Behalf Of Dupre Mr Marcy M
Sent: Thursday, March 28, 2002 1:43 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Re: Burnishing clay figures
Linda,
Depending on the size and intricacy of your figures, and how highly you
choose to polish, the number of tools is quite literally limitless.
Spoons, tumble-polished stones, ground and polished metal rods, plastic
rods, steel pins and cotter keys, steel washers, polished bolts and bolt
heads, wrist pins for pistons, glass rods, polished ceramic bars and rods,
coins, river stones, marbles, and "found" parts of just about anything that
will polish clay, all come to mind.
Fella asked me what I use to get certain textures in my clay and in the
glaze applications I use. His eyebrows crawled into hishairline when I told
him, "Anything that strikes me of the moment."
You may give some consideration to using a Dremel tool with small polished
metal rods, pointed, rounded, flattened, to make your clay glisten. I would
recommend against turning the tool at high speeds. Slowly, slowly will do
the job you want.
Hope this helps,
Tig
Play Dirty!
____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Linda Brant on thu 28 mar 02
Sheriee,
Thanks for the suggestion! I've noticed that polished stones work really
well for burnishing larger and flatter areas. What you are describing
sounds very interesting. It just might do the trick! I will check into it
and let you know.
Thanks again,
Linda
-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
Behalf Of Sheriee Dardis
Sent: Thursday, March 28, 2002 1:21 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Re: Burnishing clay figures
Hi Linda!
I'm very new to this group (and to ADULT pottery) myself but I think I might
have something of a solution for you...
My background for the last 25 years is in custom picture framing (I am a
CPF) and gilding. In gilding we use Agates to burnish the gold leaf into the
clay bole. They are actually highly polished agate stones on handles and you
can get very detailed with them.
You can purchase them from a company called Sepp Leaf Supply (or Sepp Gold
Leaf) I believe they are in NY. I'll find their web address and post it
later...
In the meantime, I'm glad to meet another "newby". Welcome!
Warmest Regards!
Sheriee
Linda Brant wrote: Hi Everyone,
I am new to this discussion group and new to ceramics as well - most of my
artistic expression has been in the form of paintings. Anyway, I have begun
to make small ceramic human figures and have really enjoyed the experience.
I do not glaze the figures. Instead, I've been burnishing them to produce a
smooth, natural finish. I have had some problems finding tools that are
effective for burnishing very small areas and tight spots. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Linda Brant
Linda Brant, Ph.D.
Academic Advisor
Northcentral University
505 W. Whipple St.
Prescott, AZ 86301
(888) 327-2877 Ext. 8041
____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
---------------------------------
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Movies - coverage of the 74th Academy Awards.
____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Andi Fasimpaur on thu 28 mar 02
At 11:31 AM 3/28/02 -0700, you wrote:
>Hi Everyone,
>
>I am new to this discussion group and new to ceramics as well - most of my
>artistic expression has been in the form of paintings. Anyway, I have begun
>to make small ceramic human figures and have really enjoyed the experience.
>I do not glaze the figures. Instead, I've been burnishing them to produce a
>smooth, natural finish. I have had some problems finding tools that are
>effective for burnishing very small areas and tight spots. Any suggestions?
>
>Thanks,
>Linda Brant
Dental tools... the spatulas work well, I have a couple that
I've ground into odd shapes... for those *REALLY* tight
places, the length of a needle tool works well... spoon-
shaped coffee stirrers from McDonalds can be nice... but
dental tools are really the best...
Good luck...
Andi.
http://www.mysticspiral.com
Elca Branman on thu 28 mar 02
Modeling tools for wax, as used by jewelry designers..inexpensive and
different stainless steel small shapes at the ends.
Elca Branman
On Thu, 28 Mar 2002 11:31:46 -0700 Linda Brant writes:
I have had some problems finding tools that
> are
> effective for burnishing very small areas and tight spots. Any
> suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
> Linda Brant
>
>
>
> Linda Brant, Ph.D.
> Academic Advisor
> Northcentral University
> 505 W. Whipple St.
> Prescott, AZ 86301
> (888) 327-2877 Ext. 8041
>
>
_________________________________________________________________________
_____
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your
> subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
Elca Branman.. in Sarasota,Florida,USA
elcab1@juno.com
________________________________________________________________
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Sheron Roberts on thu 28 mar 02
I use tools much like artists paint brushes but with rubber tips. You =
can get the "brushes" with soft, medium, or extra firm tips. I found =
mine at a HobbyTown craft and model store. A C Moore also carries them, =
or the one near me does. They come in a large variety of sizes down to =
tiny. And the tips come in various shapes, such as points, bevels, =
chisels. They are made by Forsline and Starr and are called Clay =
Shapers. The extra firm tips can burnish small areas.
Sheron in NC (who also uses a variety of home made wooden tools to shape =
and carve clay. =20
vince pitelka on thu 28 mar 02
> I am new to this discussion group and new to ceramics as well - most of my
> artistic expression has been in the form of paintings. Anyway, I have
begun
> to make small ceramic human figures and have really enjoyed the
experience.
> I do not glaze the figures. Instead, I've been burnishing them to produce
a
> smooth, natural finish. I have had some problems finding tools that are
> effective for burnishing very small areas and tight spots. Any
suggestions?
Linda -
If you had been at NCECA, you could have purchased a set of modeling tools
made from water buffalo horn. I expect those would be ideal for burnishing
in tight places. I bought mine from a vendor who brings the tools from
China, but it seems to me that some of the regular clay suppliers were
carrying them. Call around and you might find some.
Good luck -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Home - vpitelka@dtccom.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/
Melinda Willis on thu 28 mar 02
Linda,
I use the burnishing tool that I used for burnishing copper plates in an
etching class, although it's not like the big fattish ones that I saw everyone
else use. Mine is finer, with a stylis at the other end ( it has no handle) I
use this tool for everything and would possibly feel lost for a while without
it. I am sorry that I can't tell you where to get one like mine ( i inherited
mine) but maybe someone else on the list can tell us both. Does everyone else
have tools that they have bonded with?
On another note - Joyce and Becky, No way am I forgetting you 2 special
people. I am firing this weekend!
Later, Melinda Willis
Tommy Humphries on thu 28 mar 02
Absolutely!
I have one tool I got from my dentist, I think he actually called it a
burnisher... it is a small, 1/32" or so ball perched at the end of an angled
shaft. You can really reach into some tight areas and burnish your heart
out with that little tool.
I sweet talked him out of 100 or so old instruments that he was going to
dump. I got the tools, and he got a nice pot to go on his shelf.
Tommy
----- Original Message -----
From: "Andi Fasimpaur"
To:
Sent: Thursday, March 28, 2002 4:55 PM
Subject: Re: Burnishing clay figures
>
> Dental tools... the spatulas work well, I have a couple that
> I've ground into odd shapes... for those *REALLY* tight
> places, the length of a needle tool works well... spoon-
> shaped coffee stirrers from McDonalds can be nice... but
> dental tools are really the best...
>
> Good luck...
>
> Andi.
> http://www.mysticspiral.com
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
Cl Litman on fri 29 mar 02
If you can get a piece of glass rod you can polish the end in the flame
to be round and smooth. Science supply catalogs sell them premade as
stirrers for chemistry experiments. I've occasionally seen them as well
in some kitchen stores.
Cheryl Litman - NJ
cheryllitman@juno.com
On Thu, 28 Mar 2002 15:42:30 -0700 Linda Brant writes:
> Tig,
> Thanks for the suggestions. I've tried spoons and stones but found
> that
> they just didn't 'reach' where I wanted them to. Quite possibly,
> the steel
> washers, metal or glass rods would work for me. Using the Dremel
> tool is
> also an interesting idea - with some practice, I might even be able
> to do it
> without serious breakages! I like the idea of being open and
> receptive to
> the possibilities - burnishing tools could by lying about right here
> in my
> office!!
> Thanks again,
> Linda
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List
> [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
> Behalf Of Dupre Mr Marcy M
> Sent: Thursday, March 28, 2002 1:43 PM
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Re: Burnishing clay figures
>
>
> Linda,
>
> Depending on the size and intricacy of your figures, and how highly
> you
> choose to polish, the number of tools is quite literally limitless.
>
> Spoons, tumble-polished stones, ground and polished metal rods,
> plastic
> rods, steel pins and cotter keys, steel washers, polished bolts and
> bolt
> heads, wrist pins for pistons, glass rods, polished ceramic bars and
> rods,
> coins, river stones, marbles, and "found" parts of just about
> anything that
> will polish clay, all come to mind.
>
> Fella asked me what I use to get certain textures in my clay and in
> the
> glaze applications I use. His eyebrows crawled into hishairline
> when I told
> him, "Anything that strikes me of the moment."
>
> You may give some consideration to using a Dremel tool with small
> polished
> metal rods, pointed, rounded, flattened, to make your clay glisten.
> I would
> recommend against turning the tool at high speeds. Slowly, slowly
> will do
> the job you want.
>
> Hope this helps,
>
> Tig
> Play Dirty!
>
>
_________________________________________________________________________
___
> __
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your
> subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
_________________________________________________________________________
_____
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your
> subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
Marie Gibbons on fri 29 mar 02
In a message dated 3/29/02 4:50:13 AM Pacific Standard Time,
cheryllitman@JUNO.COM writes:
> If you can get a piece of glass rod you can polish the end in the flame
> to be round and smooth. Science supply catalogs sell them premade as
> stirrers for chemistry experiments. I've occasionally seen them as well
> in some kitchen stores.
>
Pier I Imports regularly carries these as drink stirrers.
marie gibbons
www.oooladies.com
bob huskey on fri 29 mar 02
Linda , sounds like what you need is a agate burnisher [used in gold leaf
work] They have a wood handle and are shaped similar to the one used to
smooth etching burrs . good luck,Bob
----- Original Message -----
From: "Linda Brant"
To:
Sent: Thursday, March 28, 2002 1:31 PM
Subject: Burnishing clay figures
> Hi Everyone,
>
> I am new to this discussion group and new to ceramics as well - most of my
> artistic expression has been in the form of paintings. Anyway, I have
begun
> to make small ceramic human figures and have really enjoyed the
experience.
> I do not glaze the figures. Instead, I've been burnishing them to produce
a
> smooth, natural finish. I have had some problems finding tools that are
> effective for burnishing very small areas and tight spots. Any
suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
> Linda Brant
>
>
>
> Linda Brant, Ph.D.
> Academic Advisor
> Northcentral University
> 505 W. Whipple St.
> Prescott, AZ 86301
> (888) 327-2877 Ext. 8041
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
Judith Frederick on fri 29 mar 02
How about trying stylus tools found in your local craft store. They are
like a pencil with different size round metal tips. They are cheap enough
to pick one up and try it. Just a thought.
Judy
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Linda Brant"
>To:
>Sent: Thursday, March 28, 2002 1:31 PM
>Subject: Burnishing clay figures
>
>
> > Hi Everyone,
> >
> > I am new to this discussion group and new to ceramics as well - most of
>my
> > artistic expression has been in the form of paintings. Anyway, I have
>begun
> > to make small ceramic human figures and have really enjoyed the
>experience.
> > I do not glaze the figures. Instead, I've been burnishing them to
>produce
>a
> > smooth, natural finish. I have had some problems finding tools that are
> > effective for burnishing very small areas and tight spots. Any
>suggestions?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Linda Brant
> >
> >
> >
> > Linda Brant, Ph.D.
> > Academic Advisor
> > Northcentral University
> > 505 W. Whipple St.
> > Prescott, AZ 86301
> > (888) 327-2877 Ext. 8041
> >
> >
>____________________________________________________________________________
>__
> > Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
> >
> > You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> > settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
> >
> > Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.
> >
> >
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.
_________________________________________________________________
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