L. P. Skeen on tue 15 jul 03
John,
You will never regret having a wood stove in your studio. I switched this
year because the gas bill (propane) was astronomical. Picked up a sweet
little "mobile home fireplace" complete with fan! for $50 and I burn ash,
maple, hickory, and oak from a local wood place at $15/truckload. Sweet.
Really heats well, too. My studio is what used to be a double-bay repair
garage attached to a gas station if that gives a clue to size and height of
ceilings. Have a fan installed on either side of the room to move the heat
around. :)
L
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Jensen"
I'm also thinking of accommodating a little wood stove to make the winter
months a little cheerier. Nothing
> more consoling than stoking a fire all day.
Jancy Jaslow on tue 15 jul 03
At long last, I am planning a studio. Hoping to move out of the basement, out from under the hanging laundry, and into my own pottery space!
It will not be as big as I want,but it will be My Studio.
I have browsed the archives, and invite any thoughts from clayarters-at-large. My studio-to-be will be at ground level(connected to the house), will have access to the drive-way (future clay deliveries, for example). I am hoping for water in the studio, i.e., sink). And, and as other clay-arters have suggested, a 'sealed concrete' floor.
Walls? wall surface? Does it matter? It is going to get dirty.
Windows? I want to see out, but I need to put things on the walls (shelves, etc.).
I guess I invite Advice of any sort. I'm concerned I will overlook something Really Important, in the excitement of getting to build a studio space.
Thanks,
Jancy Jaslow
in Cincinnati
Jancy Jaslow
Manor Hill Pottery
Cincinnati, OH 45220
Charles Moore on tue 15 jul 03
Jancy,
I highly recommend Vince Pitelka's book, "Clay: A Studio Handbook." He has
excellent suggestions on planning a studio.
Likewise, Steven Branfman's "The Potter's Professional Handbook" offers some
very practical suggestions for the studio.
I have made good use of one of Vince's pieces of advice: put carts and
tables on casters (preferably lockable); this allows you to rearrange space
endlessly.
Best of luck,
Charles Moore
Sacramento
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jancy Jaslow"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2003 9:54 AM
Subject: Planning a Studio
> At long last, I am planning a studio. Hoping to move out of the basement,
out from under the hanging laundry, and into my own pottery space!
>
> It will not be as big as I want,but it will be My Studio.
>
> I have browsed the archives, and invite any thoughts from
clayarters-at-large. My studio-to-be will be at ground level(connected to
the house), will have access to the drive-way (future clay deliveries, for
example). I am hoping for water in the studio, i.e., sink). And, and as
other clay-arters have suggested, a 'sealed concrete' floor.
>
> Walls? wall surface? Does it matter? It is going to get dirty.
> Windows? I want to see out, but I need to put things on the walls
(shelves, etc.).
>
> I guess I invite Advice of any sort. I'm concerned I will overlook
something Really Important, in the excitement of getting to build a studio
space.
>
> Thanks,
> Jancy Jaslow
> in Cincinnati
>
>
> Jancy Jaslow
> Manor Hill Pottery
> Cincinnati, OH 45220
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> 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.
psci_kw on tue 15 jul 03
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jancy Jaslow"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2003 12:54 PM
Subject: Planning a Studio
> At long last, I am planning a studio. Hoping to move out of the basement,
out from under the hanging laundry, and into my own pottery space!
>
> It will not be as big as I want,but it will be My Studio.
>
> I have browsed the archives, and invite any thoughts from
clayarters-at-large. My studio-to-be will be at ground level(connected to
the house), will have access to the drive-way (future clay deliveries, for
example). I am hoping for water in the studio, i.e., sink). And, and as
other clay-arters have suggested, a 'sealed concrete' floor.
>
> Walls? wall surface? Does it matter? It is going to get dirty.
> Windows? I want to see out, but I need to put things on the walls
(shelves, etc.).
>
> I guess I invite Advice of any sort. I'm concerned I will overlook
something Really Important, in the excitement of getting to build a studio
space.
>
> Thanks,
> Jancy Jaslow
> in Cincinnati
>
>
> Jancy Jaslow
> Manor Hill Pottery
> Cincinnati, OH 45220
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> 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.
>
Jancy:
Check out http://www.farmtek.com. They sell a bunch of materials (I call it
gel coat) that comes in 4X8 panels. Easy to clean with a hose or a brush,
doesn't mind mud at all, comes in white or grey (never underestimate the
value of reflected light)
It's usually used for lining animal stalls, like cattle or pigs (which is
what my partner claims I turn into when I play in the mud :>)
Other than that, if you can manage a floor drain, you will be that much more
ahead of the game. Since you mention that it will have a sealed concrete
floor, I can only hope it's a garage type space with a big door...easy to
clean, and muscle big bags of clay around in!
Windows are great! And who says you can't put shelves across the windows
for storage? Maybe skylights? Then you needn't worry about that aspect.
You can always curtain off a window if it's too much light, but better too
much than not enough! And daylight is much better than electric light, and
cheaper too.
Other than that, my dream would be plenty of electrical outlets, an air
compressor, a good sturdy clay table covered in canvas that doesn't mind
being pounded on. Oh, and HEAT for the winter, air conditioning for the
summer! And a refrigerator that doesn't work, lying on it's back. One of
the old ones with the metal interior. I used one of these at the last
studio I worked in. Never plugged it in, used it for a clay locker!
Freezer part for handle clay, main compartment for regular (stoneware,
porcelain, whatever).
Do you need music to work? Speakers near the ceiling maybe? A phone jack?
A couch or comfy chair to take a break in?
Oooh, am I jealous :>) Best of luck!
Wayne in Key West
Mike Gordon on tue 15 jul 03
Hi,
Well.... A lot depends on what you'd see IF you had windows. If you have
some greenery, garden, or something like that to look at, I'd definitely
put a window in.Natural light is another consideration for a window.
Insulate it and sheet rock it and paint it with a good acrylic latex
white paint. You can always sponge it to clean.The other walls can hold
shelves or use as display area. A ware cart on casters is another
consideration. Be flexable, studios are for work and they should be made
so that you want to be there. If it's dark and cold you won't want to
set foot in there. Good Luck, Mike Gordon
Ian Smith on tue 15 jul 03
Others will certainly mention the delights of running water, a separate
kiln area, etc. My contribution is this: build the studio such that you
can take a hose to it. Clay dust will coat the floors, the walls, the
shelves, and, unless eliminated, the bronchioles. My studio is a
converted greenhouse on a cement slab. Once a week, I hose down the
floors, the walls, and the shelves. I tried wet-mopping; it just seemed
to spread the clay around. Now, in minutes, everything is clean. Coating
the walls with a waterproof sealer and providing an exit for waste water
would allow you to do the same.
Snail Scott on tue 15 jul 03
At 05:34 PM 7/15/03 -0400, you wrote:
>Other than that, if you can manage a floor drain, you will be that much more
>ahead of the game...
Not for me, thanks! They are just begging to get clogged
up, especially if imbedded in a concrete slab. And I
would never again have a sloping floor. Not a problem for
throwing, maybe, but a real pain in the ass when building
large sculpture that needs to look vertical when finished.
I've tried working from all directions (I use lazy-susan
work pedestals), but it still wreaks havoc with my sense
of 'up'.
I second your preferences for natural light, though, along
with white walls, lots of electrical service, and climate-
appropriate heat or cooling. And for new construction,
insulation is worth every penny - use lots!
-Snail
John Jensen on tue 15 jul 03
The front of my studio used to look out over a bunch of woods and trees
and whatnot; but someone built some big houses there. Rather than get
all bent out of shape about it (which would be futile) I'm building an
addition to my studio that faces the other way. I'm putting in lots and
lots of glass, even though it will kill my storage capacity. This room
is for my spirit and peace of mind...facing the woods and the garden...a
place I'll feel happy to be. I'm also thinking of accommodating a
little wood stove to make the winter months a little cheerier. Nothing
more consoling than stoking a fire all day.
John Jensen, Mudbug Pottery
mudbug@toadhouse.com , http://www.toadhouse.com
Kathi LeSueur on wed 16 jul 03
jancyjaslow@FUSE.NET wrote:
>At long last, I am planning a studio. Hoping to move out of the basement, out from under the hanging laundry, and into my own pottery space!
>I guess I invite Advice of any sort. I'm concerned I will overlook something Really Important, in the excitement of getting to build a studio space.>>>
>
>Electric outlets. Twenty amp is my preference. Put in far more than you think you need. Put some in the ceiling so you plug something in on a table and not worry about tripping over a cord. Heat--I got a vent through the wall gas heater. No blower. It works great at heating an insulated 2 1/2 car garage but doesn't create drafts. Windows--as many as you can afford. Being able to look outside really can improve your mood. hang a birdfeed outside of the window. Yes- it's a distraction. But sometime distractions can clear your mind and when you go back to work you can focus.
>
>Kathi
>
>
>
>
Bob Nicholson on wed 16 jul 03
Things I learned in setting up my studio:
As you've mentioned, a SEALED concrete floor. It's funny,
when other potters visit my studio, the most frequent comment
is "wow, your floor is so clean!" (Hmmm... wonder if that
says something about my work???)
In so far as possible, make everything moveable. Fixed shelves
and furnishings inevitably trap dirt and dust. Also, from time
to time you will want to re-arrange your studio to accommodate
different projects and activities.
Make sure all surfaces are WASHABLE.
Put in the best vent system you can afford. Your lungs are
worth it.
Make sure to put a clay trap on your drain. Also, have a wash barrel
next to your sink, so you can clean dirty tools in the wash barrel
first, and minimize the clay going into the drain.
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