claybair on fri 19 nov 04
I've been throwing all week...no problem.
I was glazing all day and tonight my
wrist hurts.... ouch ..... actual aching.
Here's the problem.... Small hand trying to hold
bowls while glazing. My hand measures
8 inches tip to tip thumb to pinky.
I also have extreme difficulty rotating
a bowl to get an even glaze application on the interior.
Is that due to my inept glazing technique?
At this point I try to fill the bowl with glaze then pour it out.
However holding it upside down by the foot ring is stressing my wrist.
I've used tongs but they seem to produce drips and overlaps of glaze.
Any suggestions?
Don't ask how I reach the bottom of my kiln........
I have visions of someone coming home and finding me
with my feet sticking out the top of the kiln!!!!!
Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com
claybair on sat 20 nov 04
Hi Jo,
I have realized now that I have
to make a more ergonomic foot ring.
Mine are too subtle and too difficult to hold.
I remember that article. Actually I bought a
kerosene hand pump thinking that might work but
haven't tried it yet.
One of my issues is that I only want to glaze
the inside of the pot. So I don't want to dip it.
Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Jo Smith
Gayle,
Can you hold the foot ring on large bowls with both hands? that's the way my
8 in hands do larger bowls. In order to dip pots in the glaze upside down I
made a vacuum hand out of PVC pipe and I attach it to my vacuum pump on my
pug mill. (Someone sells fancy ones). I think it was in CM several years
ago. Instead of having a flap on the side I drilled a small hole in the top
of the brass fitting and just put my thumb over it.
I just did a search of CM index and came up blank, so maybe it was in
another mag. If you want to know more maybe I can write out directions for
you as it really helps.
Jo
claybair on sat 20 nov 04
My apologies Earl but.....
forget the fatherly talk.....
maybe sisterly!:-)
However you can lecture me like I
do my mom (80) when she tells me
she fell down picking up a piece of
schmutz (Yiddish translation - dirt)
on the floor.
Honestly.... I didn't notice the
ache until after I was done.
I have a tendency to get so
focused on a task that I
don't notice incidental things.
I think it's called hyper-focusing.
I was driven to glaze and fire
the kiln.... all else went by the boards.
Wrists are better today though lugging
tables, and tubs of wars to the Holiday
Farmers market today did add some strain.
I have some wrist bands.... Duh... shudda
worn them today.
Anyway what I was asking for techniques people
with small hands use when glazing bowls.
I don't want to dip the entire pot as
I brush the outside with very thin
(skim milk) glaze.
Gayle Bair- sold better today at my local farmer's market
(5 hrs) than last week at a 2 day studio tour show
in a neighboring town. Go figger!
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Url Krueger
On Fri, 2004-11-19 at 19:59, claybair wrote:
> I was glazing all day and tonight my wrist hurts.... ouch .
My Gosh, Claybair!! I think it's time we had a little fatherly -
daughterly talk, you and me.
(That ought to start a couple of good rumors here in Claytown.)
You seem to have the trait of setting your mind to accomplishing a
physical task in a certain way and don't listen when your body says:
"Hey brain, your supposed to be the smart one here. Let's stop a minute
and think over these directions you're sending 'cause they're destroying
me."
If you are doing something physical and you FEEL the stress in a part of
your body, then you ARE stressing that part of your body. Now, in some
cases, like jogging or weight-lifting, stressing your body a little is a
good thing. But if you're glazing or throwing or something, especially
something repetitive, and your body is sending your brain a distress
message you need to learn to listen to it. Otherwise, as you've
discovered, you're going to be in for big trouble.
Now, go take a couple of ibuprofen, put your PJs on, brush your teeth
and then I'll tell you the story about how walking a cholicy grandson
for two hours one night screwed up my back for almost a year.
--
Earl K...
Bothell WA, USA
Url Krueger on sat 20 nov 04
On Fri, 2004-11-19 at 19:59, claybair wrote:
> I was glazing all day and tonight my wrist hurts.... ouch .
My Gosh, Claybair!! I think it's time we had a little fatherly -
daughterly talk, you and me.
(That ought to start a couple of good rumors here in Claytown.)
You seem to have the trait of setting your mind to accomplishing a
physical task in a certain way and don't listen when your body says:
"Hey brain, your supposed to be the smart one here. Let's stop a minute
and think over these directions you're sending 'cause they're destroying
me."
If you are doing something physical and you FEEL the stress in a part of
your body, then you ARE stressing that part of your body. Now, in some
cases, like jogging or weight-lifting, stressing your body a little is a
good thing. But if you're glazing or throwing or something, especially
something repetitive, and your body is sending your brain a distress
message you need to learn to listen to it. Otherwise, as you've
discovered, you're going to be in for big trouble.
Now, go take a couple of ibuprofen, put your PJs on, brush your teeth
and then I'll tell you the story about how walking a cholicy grandson
for two hours one night screwed up my back for almost a year.
--
Earl K...
Bothell WA, USA
"You may be disappointed if you fail,
but you are doomed if you don't try."
Beverly Sills (1929 - )
Mike Gordon on sat 20 nov 04
Gayle,
That is the way I glaze the inside of any pot that is over a rice bowl
/ cup size. Pour it in rotate it as I pour it out. When the pot gets
too big or heavy, I get 2 small 1"square sticks and place them over the
glaze bucket, and pour the glaze around the foot ring and let it drip
off the lip back into the bucket. It is easy to dab a little glaze onto
the marks left by the stick, and smooth the glaze out when dry enough
to handle. Mike Gordon
On Nov 19, 2004, at 7:59 PM, claybair wrote:
> I also have extreme difficulty rotating
> a bowl to get an even glaze application on the interior.
> Is that due to my inept glazing technique?
> At this point I try to fill the bowl with glaze then pour it out.
> However holding it upside down by the foot ring is stressing my wrist.
> I've used tongs but they seem to produce drips and overlaps of glaze.
> Any suggestions?
> Gayle Bair
> Bainbridge Island, WA
> http://claybair.com
>
> _______________________________________________________________________
> _______
> 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.
>
Jo Smith on sat 20 nov 04
Gayle,
Can you hold the foot ring on large bowls with both hands? that's the way my
8 in hands do larger bowls. In order to dip pots in the glaze upside down I
made a vacuum hand out of PVC pipe and I attach it to my vacuum pump on my
pug mill. (Someone sells fancy ones). I think it was in CM several years
ago. Instead of having a flap on the side I drilled a small hole in the top
of the brass fitting and just put my thumb over it.
I just did a search of CM index and came up blank, so maybe it was in
another mag. If you want to know more maybe I can write out directions for
you as it really helps.
Jo
MarjB on sat 20 nov 04
> I've been throwing all week...no problem.
> I was glazing all day and tonight my
> wrist hurts.... ouch ..... actual aching.
Morning Gayle
May I make a suggestion based on some painful experience. Wear a wrist
brace whenever you can - ie does not interfere with the task. This will
give support and rest to the wrist area. Cannot give any sure fire ways to
glaze large bowls and do hope someone has the answer for us.
I found that when I could not throw because of the pain and thought glazing
would be easier I found that as painful. All that throwing you have done
has set up the inflamation etc. and your wrist told you "enough allready".
I found it was the wedging/centering/ first claw pull that gave me the most
pain. Try to do something pro-active to avoid the condition becoming worse.
It is a long time getting better if you do not. Tough this time of year I
know, I pushed and it has taken two years plus to partially repair. When I
feel the burn begin, I back off and give it a rest by doing something that
does not put the stress on area. In my case it is the two tendons in the
left thumb.
Your body has sent you a warning. Listen. Have a consult with doctor.
Give up the time away from the studio to check it out. Better to make 20
less bowls this year than not be able to make any next year at this time.
From one who did not take this advice. MarjB
by the way, how did you measure your hand span ? Relaxed or splayed out ?
Relaxed, mine is 4 inches tip to tip - Piano-splayed it is 7 inches. Wayne
can do another survey for us....that could be interesting !
______________________________________________________________________________
> 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.
>
John K Dellow on sat 20 nov 04
>However holding it upside down by the foot ring is stressing my wrist.
>I've used tongs but they seem to produce drips and overlaps of glaze.
>Any suggestions?
>
>
Gayle,
I use a dipping tool I read about in the Penny Smith book . Its "U " shaped and has one long side which is the handle and the other shorter has a pad which a bowl can rest on upside down . Its very good for dipping tea pots .
John
John Dellow "the flower pot man"
From the land down under
Home Page http://www.welcome.to/jkdellow
http://digitalfire.com/education/people/dellow/
Malcolm Schosha on sat 20 nov 04
Wrist problems are among the most common physical problems that
potters develop. I had a very serious lower back problem that a
chiropracter cured. I continue to do some stretching exercises he
gave me to do, and I have had no further back problem.
The same chiropracter was unable to do anything for my wrists. Even
though I have not made any pottery in the last few years, my wrists
still act up every few weeks. Asprin sometimes helps, but not always.
If you find a solution, let me know. It is all that keeps me from
returning to pottery making, because when I am throwing the pain in
my wrists soon becomes intense and continious.
Be well.
Malcolm Schosha
...........
--- In clayart@yahoogroups.com, claybair wrote:
> I've been throwing all week...no problem.
> I was glazing all day and tonight my
> wrist hurts.... ouch ..... actual aching.
> Here's the problem.... Small hand trying to hold
> bowls while glazing. My hand measures
> 8 inches tip to tip thumb to pinky.
> I also have extreme difficulty rotating
> a bowl to get an even glaze application on the interior.
> Is that due to my inept glazing technique?
> At this point I try to fill the bowl with glaze then pour it out.
> However holding it upside down by the foot ring is stressing my
wrist.
> I've used tongs but they seem to produce drips and overlaps of
glaze.
> Any suggestions?
> Don't ask how I reach the bottom of my kiln........
> I have visions of someone coming home and finding me
> with my feet sticking out the top of the kiln!!!!!
>
> Gayle Bair
> Bainbridge Island, WA
> http://claybair.com
>
>
______________________________________________________________________
________
> Send postings to clayart@l...
>
> 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@p...
Cindy on sat 20 nov 04
Hi again, Gail
I guess I responded to one of the responses earlier and didn't get to the
gist of your problem.
To glaze the inside of cups and bowls, I built myself a glaze fountain,
using a pond fountain pump. (You need one that says it will handle sludge.
You place the pump inside a tub, then pour in the glaze.) I paid around $50,
but that was maybe 5 years ago. I attached some PVC piping to get the glaze
to rise high enough over the pump. You can use a longer piece for taller
pots, a shorter piece for bowls. I wired an old sewing machine foot pedal
into an extension cord to control the pump. I didn't want to cut into the
pump's waterproof cord.
This saves sloshing the glaze around and allows you to glaze the inside a
different color from the outside. To do the outside, you just dip it upside
down into your glaze, being careful to hold the piece level to avoid too
much glaze getting inside. Takes a little practice, but works great.
However, you still have the problem of holding onto the bowl (only now made
worse by having to hold it upside down). There are a couple of ways to solve
this. My way was to design my bowl feet so I could easily hold on to them. I
either make a little bead around the bottom or I give the bowl three little
feet. This has the added advantage of discouraging glaze drips in the kiln
and, IMO, making the bowls look nicer.
The other way is to purchase or make a vacuum suction device to hold onto
the bottom of your pot. That way, you don't have to change your designs if
you don't want to.
Hope this helps,
Cindy in SD
Cindy on sat 20 nov 04
Hi there,
It may be helpful to consider some labor-saving devices to give your wrists
a break. Axner has a device to help in centering. It's made for their wheel,
but maybe one could rig it to fit another wheel.
Also, a Peter Pugger pug mill is wonderful for a small studio. Clay comes
out nice and warm in about a 3" log which can be chopped up into nice round
plugs. Big investment, but cheaper and better than new joints.
Best wishes,
Cindy
John Rodgers on sat 20 nov 04
Gayle, have you looked into using a Glaze Fountain. That might help your
delimma.
Regards,
John Rodgers
Chelsea, AL
claybair wrote:
>I've been throwing all week...no problem.
>I was glazing all day and tonight my
>wrist hurts.... ouch ..... actual aching.
>Here's the problem.... Small hand trying to hold
>bowls while glazing. My hand measures
>8 inches tip to tip thumb to pinky.
>I also have extreme difficulty rotating
>a bowl to get an even glaze application on the interior.
>Is that due to my inept glazing technique?
>At this point I try to fill the bowl with glaze then pour it out.
>However holding it upside down by the foot ring is stressing my wrist.
>I've used tongs but they seem to produce drips and overlaps of glaze.
>Any suggestions?
>Don't ask how I reach the bottom of my kiln........
>I have visions of someone coming home and finding me
>with my feet sticking out the top of the kiln!!!!!
>
>Gayle Bair
>Bainbridge Island, WA
>http://claybair.com
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>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.
>
>
>
>
pdp1@EARTHLINK.NET on sun 21 nov 04
Hi Gayle,
I was happiest for most things in spraying my Glazes.
I used to just set the Bowl on the Wheel on a very s-l-o-w
spin...and do it.
I had a small mechanical sprayer, but certainly there are
many more effecient or easy methods.
I was Light Cavalry, low tech...
More enviormentally conscientous people of course use spray
booths of one kind or another, or, weather permitting, one
may do so outside on some sort of little turn-table.
No strains on the wrists that way...
Takes a little longer tho'...
Phil
el ve
Where I thought it was gunna Snow last night...sure smelled
anf felt like it would..who knows, maybe it did?
----- Original Message -----
From: "claybair"
> My apologies Earl but.....
> forget the fatherly talk.....
> maybe sisterly!:-)
>
> However you can lecture me like I
> do my mom (80) when she tells me
> she fell down picking up a piece of
> schmutz (Yiddish translation - dirt)
> on the floor.
>
> Honestly.... I didn't notice the
> ache until after I was done.
> I have a tendency to get so
> focused on a task that I
> don't notice incidental things.
> I think it's called hyper-focusing.
>
> I was driven to glaze and fire
> the kiln.... all else went by the boards.
> Wrists are better today though lugging
> tables, and tubs of wars to the Holiday
> Farmers market today did add some strain.
> I have some wrist bands.... Duh... shudda
> worn them today.
>
> Anyway what I was asking for techniques people
> with small hands use when glazing bowls.
> I don't want to dip the entire pot as
> I brush the outside with very thin
> (skim milk) glaze.
>
>
> Gayle Bair- sold better today at my local farmer's market
> (5 hrs) than last week at a 2 day studio tour show
> in a neighboring town. Go figger!
>
> Bainbridge Island, WA
> http://claybair.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Url Krueger
>
> On Fri, 2004-11-19 at 19:59, claybair wrote:
> > I was glazing all day and tonight my wrist hurts....
ouch .
>
> My Gosh, Claybair!! I think it's time we had a little
fatherly -
> daughterly talk, you and me.
> (That ought to start a couple of good rumors here in
Claytown.)
>
> You seem to have the trait of setting your mind to
accomplishing a
> physical task in a certain way and don't listen when your
body says:
> "Hey brain, your supposed to be the smart one here. Let's
stop a minute
> and think over these directions you're sending 'cause
they're destroying
> me."
>
> If you are doing something physical and you FEEL the
stress in a part of
> your body, then you ARE stressing that part of your body.
Now, in some
> cases, like jogging or weight-lifting, stressing your body
a little is a
> good thing. But if you're glazing or throwing or
something, especially
> something repetitive, and your body is sending your brain
a distress
> message you need to learn to listen to it. Otherwise, as
you've
> discovered, you're going to be in for big trouble.
>
> Now, go take a couple of ibuprofen, put your PJs on, brush
your teeth
> and then I'll tell you the story about how walking a
cholicy grandson
> for two hours one night screwed up my back for almost a
year.
>
> --
> Earl K...
> Bothell WA, USA
>
>
____________________________________________________________
__________________
> 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.
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