claybair on thu 25 mar 04
Jeff,
I was thinking that when paper/cardboard is used and
the piece is quite dry whether it is feasible to just burn it.
That way there will not be any smoke in an electric
kiln to harm the elements.
Do you see any problem with doing that?
Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Weiland,Jeff
I have always found the best material to use for structure to be newspaper
and cardboard. Just crumple up the paper, wrap with masking tape, and
assemble to a slightly smaller version of the final form, taking into
account the thickness of the clay and also allow for the shrinkage. The
advantages over styrofoam would include the toxicity of the fumes when
burning the foam out and also the paper has a bit of "give" to it as the
clay dries. The paper is not so rigid so it won't cause the clay to
separate or crack. Just make sure to put vents anywhere there is a hollow
space, other wise KABOOM!!
claybair on fri 26 mar 04
Thanks Jeff,
My idea was to try to burn out the
paper before placing it in the kiln.
I recall reading an article about a Japanese
potter who would burn paper inside
pots to speed drying.
I was wondering if it would be best to do it
as soon as it is firm enough to support itself
or to wait until it is dry.
This thread is timely as I have just
begun some sculptural work.
Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Weiland Jeff
Snip> I suppose there would be no problem taking the piece outside and
lighting a match to the paper to get rid of as much smoke as possible before
placing in the electric kiln. Snip>
Weiland, Jeff on fri 26 mar 04
Gayle,
As to the question of the effect of the smoke on the elements, I am sure =
it does have an effect on the life of the elements but I have no =
study/research to back up the opinion. Just make sure that you have =
really good venting with a lot of fresh air coming in!!! The most ideal =
thing would be to pull out as much of the paper as possible. The =
difficult part of that is the clay being so fragile in the greenware =
state. You have to be very gentle with the clay. No matter how you do =
things, there are advantages and disadvantages that you just have to =
weigh out for yourself. I suppose there would be no problem taking the =
piece outside and lighting a match to the paper to get rid of as much =
smoke as possible before placing in the electric kiln. I have my high =
school students do a full size bust assignment that is built around a =
large ball of paper. I fire the work real slow, twenty-four hour warming =
time, with the lid propped a couple of inches then close the lid and =
take it on up to ^06. I don't have many problems with a slow cycle. =
Occasionally a kid will trap small air bubbles that will pop out a =
chuck. A bit of Elmer's glue and putty to fill the crack and it is as =
good as a botox job. We finish the work with a coat of glossy black =
spray paint and Rub-N-Buff highlights. It is a great bronze-like finish. =
Glue a piece of felt to the bottom and you have a great work to show =
off.
Jeff
-----Original Message-----
From: claybair [mailto:gayle@CLAYBAIR.COM]
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2004 3:27 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Re: Question about Styrofoam for sculpting now paper
Jeff,
I was thinking that when paper/cardboard is used and
the piece is quite dry whether it is feasible to just burn it.
That way there will not be any smoke in an electric
kiln to harm the elements.
Do you see any problem with doing that?
Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com
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