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slow throwing, soft clay, revolutions, and wedging tables.

updated wed 5 nov 03

 

lili krakowski on tue 4 nov 03


Throwing is like love-making or a pas-de-deux. The idea is to be in =
step, in rhythm, with one's partner. I wonder if whoever sneered at =
someone asking about timing etc, keeps a stopwatch on his bedside table! =
=20

The wheel is our partner in throwing. We have to keep in step with it, =
as well as with what our own individual bodies need and want. It is =
probable that a small delicate woman working a large Continental wheel, =
would work at a different speed than a Gov. Ventura working a Shimpo. =20

And no, one does not need to nod one's head or get a tacky -meter to =
time revolutions on a wheel!. (We did that a few weeks back) Place a =
twelve inch bat on your wheel and put a small lump of clay or some other =
marker on the edge. Now turn the wheel on and spin it slowly. Using a =
timer count the number of times the marker passes a defined spot. My =
wheel turns at 60 revolutions per minute OR LESS, using the outer rim of =
a 12"bat as measurer.

As to the softness of clay. It seems to me each clay body has slightly =
different demands--but what I mean by softness is the softness of room =
temp cream cheese, or soft liverwurst, or Metwurtz. You should be able =
to smear the clay out easily. =20
I use mine as soft as the pugmill allows neat clean pugs to be made. =20

Wedging tables should be sturdy, and, if you want to fill them with =
plaster, the "box" should be about 4 inches high, and disassemblable so =
that you do not have too big a problem if you need to remove the =
plaster, or move the table (as to another place)I put my tables together =
with bolts and lagbolts.

I had an article on wedging tables and boards in the PMI of Summer 1998. =
My measuring of height is simply to stand with one foot slightly in =
front of the other (this is my foot position for wedging) and resting =
the palms of my hands on a table. I rock back and forth as though =
wedging, making sure that at no time I hunch my shoulders. I adjust for =
height by putting blocks under the table if it is too low, and under my =
feet if too high. I make sure I wear the shoes I work in.

Phil suggested, as did the therapist someone quoted earlier, that one =
stands straight, arms down, and measures from one's knuckles while =
making a fist. I have NOT checked whether the results are the same.