lili krakowski on sun 29 feb 04
I did not read the Voluptuous forms posts as thoroughly as I might have, =
so apologies if I repeat. Balloons of all sorts--the big, the tubular, =
the very small--make marvelous armatures. I have used them extensively =
in sculpture. As the air DOES leak out, they get smaller and smaller, =
more deflated, as the clay dries. So there is no risk of a too rigid =
support causing cracks as the clay dries. I also have had success with =
styrofoam peanuts in a net bag (as lemons come in) or a plastic bag.
DO NOT mess with your hands arms etc. I speak from thorough experience: =
I am one of those extremely rare people who have had carpal tunnel =
surgery on one hand (right) three times. I have had tendon =
transposition on the carpal metacarpal joint in each had. I will spare =
you other arthritic divertisimento, BUT they all were precipitated by =
vanity-- I could throw real big, center real big lumps of clay, blah, =
blah, blah. If I had known what I do now I would have made more pots in =
two pieces, done more throwing of big pieces by that method whose name I =
do not know, where coils are added to a thrown shape, thrown, and more =
coils added.
It wasn't worth it, no way, no how.
AS TO PLASTER IN THE GARDEN! IVOR!!!! A few years ago I started having =
trouble with my 30 year old garden soil. As I live on Tug Hill, a =
glacial plateau in NY State, a plateau with incredibly acid soil, I took =
a sample to the farm supply place for testing. They told me that NEVER =
before had they had SUCH ALKALINE SOIL in a test. Years of throwing =
dead plaster, the water from washing wood ashes, and wood ash itself =
into the compost heap had achieved this! So. Had to make the soil =
more acid, a first on Tug Hill.
However. I recall reading years ago that they used plaster of paris as =
a source of whiting. I do plan to calcine some and see what happens. =
Will report.
As to the plaster I have: The mold I made in the egg carton has set up =
well. Still I will not take risks and will use it only for a drying =
bat.
Lili Krakowski
Be of good courage
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