Cbaker on wed 1 dec 04
After many years of lurking and learning maybe I can finally contribute =
to Clayart. I've been working with B-mix for years because I love the =
color with my watercolor/drawing style. =20
I make flat bottomed plates with a slab roller and have no warping or =
cracking. I roll it out 1/4 to 3/8 thick, rotating 90 degrees on a few =
passes, and use carpet foam to remove it from the roller fabric. =
Carefully and without stretching, the slabs are put into bisque molds =
or a form with WD-40 and pushed into place with a Nerf ball and a damp =
sponge. The edge of the plate is released by running a needle tool =
around the edge of the mold. The form is covered with a piece of carpet =
foam and weighted down with old stockings filled with beans or just a =
piece of sheetrock. Everything is covered loosely with plastic.=20
Because I live in Arizona they dry in about two days and then are =
turned upside down on sheet rock. I would guess that the carpet foam =
padding helps even out the drying and the beans retain some moisture, =
but the drying is quick. =20
Part of the success is also using a form that "works" with B-mix. A rim =
that is too flared or too wide can slump. Pieces that are thrown need =
to be compressed on the bottom.=20
Some of my serving pieces are squares or rectangles with flared =
corners. When I fire those I make "guards" out of clay that stand =
around the corners. I've also had success firing pieces with wide rims =
by using the guards.
So......maybe this will help someone else. Most of everything I've =
learned has come from Clayart. Customers are now paying nicely for my =
pieces. My suggestions have been learned from all of you who have so =
generously shared. The message is practice, practice, practice, and =
test, test, test.
If others are having success with B-mix I would love to learn what you =
are doing. Any great glazes to share?
Carol Baker
Scottsdale, Arizona
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