Lily Krakowski on fri 25 apr 03
I did not know till I had been in clay some 15 years that potters actually
buy handtools. No joke. In the 40's, 50's they just didn't exist!
At the risk of immodesty: in Pottery Making Illustrated Vol I, #3 Summer
1998,p.14, I had a small piece called HAND TOOLS MADE FROM SCRAP. The strap
tools are not as lovely as the ones made by Mel's serious metal working
techniques no doubt are, but they have worked for me.
Neat tools can be made as well from old bandsaw blades. I got mine from the
supermarket butcher. I love the serrated edge. Also: A cheap metal spoon
from the thrift shop can be sharpened with a file and makes a nice trimming
tool for curves.
The reason I am so specific about Vol # , page, etc. is that my library at
least will get me a photocopy of specific articles in magazines it does not
subscribe to itself.
Lili Krakowski
P.O. Box #1
Constableville, N.Y.
(315) 942-5916/ 397-2389
Be of good courage....
Carol Olavarri on fri 25 apr 03
Lili,
My library won't get a copy for me and would love to see it. Can you post it
perhaps or e mail it? We new potters in Hawaii need all the help, advise we
can get.
Aloha and thanks,
Carol
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lily Krakowski"
To:
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2003 3:47 AM
Subject: strap tools etc.
> I did not know till I had been in clay some 15 years that potters actually
> buy handtools. No joke. In the 40's, 50's they just didn't exist!
>
> At the risk of immodesty: in Pottery Making Illustrated Vol I, #3 Summer
> 1998,p.14, I had a small piece called HAND TOOLS MADE FROM SCRAP. The
strap
> tools are not as lovely as the ones made by Mel's serious metal working
> techniques no doubt are, but they have worked for me.
>
> Neat tools can be made as well from old bandsaw blades. I got mine from
the
> supermarket butcher. I love the serrated edge. Also: A cheap metal spoon
> from the thrift shop can be sharpened with a file and makes a nice
trimming
> tool for curves.
>
> The reason I am so specific about Vol # , page, etc. is that my library at
> least will get me a photocopy of specific articles in magazines it does
not
> subscribe to itself.
>
>
>
>
> Lili Krakowski
> P.O. Box #1
> Constableville, N.Y.
> (315) 942-5916/ 397-2389
>
> Be of good courage....
>
>
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melpots@pclink.com.
Chris Rupp on fri 25 apr 03
As a relatively new potter working among mostly new new potters in an Adult
Education Program...The thing I have been struck by MOST going to several
workshops by many leading potters (such as Warren MacKenzie, Tom Coleman,
and others) is the fact that all these potters make a LARGE percentage of
their own tools. Whether they are functional tools, such as trimming tools
and ribs, or decorative tools like fluting, faceting, and stamping tools.
It is what makes their work uniquely theirs! They can throw a tea bowl that
looks like any other potters work, but how they manipulate the clay with
their "custom" tools makes the work unique.
Since then, my personal work has taken a dramatic turn! I came home one day
threw out most of my store bought tools (kept the wire and steel rib) I went
out and got some strapping, and other stuff at the local hardware store.
Made some clay tools and my work is significantly better for it. I would
encourage anyone and everyone using those Kemper's to do the same. Once you
begin to look at ordinary everyday objects as potters tools you will be
amazed at what you find and how much better your work can get for it!
Happy Potting,
Chris Rupp
Sunny Santa Barbara
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Sandy Henderson on sat 26 apr 03
One of my best tools is just a thin (1/8 ") dowel sharpened at one end. Another is a
trimming tool made from a hairpin. My dad made them both.
Sandy Henderson
> Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2003 20:13:59 -0700
> From: Chris Rupp
> Subject: Re: strap tools etc.
>
> As a relatively new potter working among mostly new new potters in an Adult
> Education Program...The thing I have been struck by MOST going to several
> workshops by many leading potters (such as Warren MacKenzie, Tom Coleman,
> and others) is the fact that all these potters make a LARGE percentage of
> their own tools. Whether they are functional tools, such as trimming tools
> and ribs, or decorative tools like fluting, faceting, and stamping tools.
> It is what makes their work uniquely theirs! They can throw a tea bowl that
> looks like any other potters work, but how they manipulate the clay with
> their "custom" tools makes the work unique.
> Since then, my personal work has taken a dramatic turn! I came home one day
> threw out most of my store bought tools (kept the wire and steel rib) I went
> out and got some strapping, and other stuff at the local hardware store.
> Made some clay tools and my work is significantly better for it. I would
> encourage anyone and everyone using those Kemper's to do the same. Once you
> begin to look at ordinary everyday objects as potters tools you will be
> amazed at what you find and how much better your work can get for it!
>
> Happy Potting,
>
> Chris Rupp
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