Lily Krakowski on thu 27 feb 03
Those who know me know I am monomaniacal about dust/ avoiding
Hi Aileen:
In your new house (so exciting) think about the kitchen-studio from the
point of view of dust. IMO curtains are better than blinds; no curtains or
other dustcatchers best. If there is a breakfast counter, maybe that is a
good workspace. Has advantages over table, as tends to be close to sink.
Ideally some space will be all yours. So no one will go there, and if you
are interrupted in your work you do not have to clean it all up every ten
minutes, just when YOU are through work.
Supply yourself with sponges that can go in dishwasher, pails, and vinyl
table cloths to cover the work surface. I like them a lot. The fuzzy side
is not too big a bother, and one can drop the whole thing in a bucket to
take outside to wash, or to take to washing machine. I pre- rinse all my
cloths etc outdoors and wash in machine. I have not had any problems with
washing machine yet.
If you can, have a garden style faucet outdoors to pre-rinse that is great.
Or find a way to attach a hose to the kitchen faucet so you CAN rinse
outdoors.
For wedging, you do not need a table. You can wedge perfectly well on a
canvas covered 3/4" outdoor plywood board about 2 foot square. Put it on
floor, put a simple foam cushion (thrift shop)or some folded canvas under
your knees and wedge. Actually several people I know wedge on floor (I
often do) because it is SO nice for back. Take board out and hose off and
scrub after use. You can tack the cloth on permanently, or (my preference)
make a pillow case for the board and hold tight with thumbtacks.
For storing your work in progress: styrofoam picnic coolers and/or styrofoam
boxes in which fish or fruit are shipped to supermarket. There are slits or
holes in these, but you can seal with that ubiquitous duct tape.
I also collect cafeteria trays--often found at thrift shops, make a canvas
cloth that fits, work on them and then slip the whole thing into an
appropriately sized plastic garbage bag.
Regular canvas is found at fabric stores...about $6 per yard. If you have a
sewing machine you may want to zigzag cut edges otherwise they fray in
washing-machine.
Have a mop just for the floor. Like a neighbor, a wonderful old lady, I
prefer to use an old turkish towel on a linoleum/scrub brush. They are
easier to rinse than formal mops.
Get out of your workclothes before you go into the house. That goes double
for shoes. Keep the workclothes in some container or on the porch. Just
avoid wearing them into the living area. I know I am thought mad: but when
you get a dribble of mud on your sleeve, or on your thigh and it dries and
you move about and rub that, generally without being aware of it, where do
you think the dust goes?
At this point: Get some books. I love Robert Fournier's Ceramic Creations,
a lot about wheel, but also good handbuilding ideas. Elsbeth Woody's
Handbuilding Ceramic Forms is marvelous. Your library should be able to get
if second-hand bookstore track does not work.
Good luck
Lili Krakowski
P.O. Box #1
Constableville, N.Y.
(315) 942-5916/ 397-2389
Be of good courage....
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