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inexpensive sales/bubble wands

updated fri 22 jul 05

 

Susan Nebeker on thu 21 jul 05


I'm getting lots of requests off list for bubble wand how tos......
Probably easier for those interested if I just post them here.
I don't have pics, but they are SO cinchy:

Extrude a 1/2" coil, 12-14" long.
Join the ends, twist into a rope, leaving the end loop at the bend about the size of a Tablespoon. Open up the loop, so that it's roundish.
Bubbles blow better if the "bubble loop" is flat, so flatten that slightly with a small board or a paddle.
We like to texture the handle with bisqued stamps.
Don't glaze the things, but I do brush on RIO, then wipe across the texture. Looks great in a reduction fire.
The kiddies, grandmothers and even you (!) will have fun making them.

And these things blow superior bubbles.........
HTH,
Susan
Pollywog Pottery

Jane Murray-Smith wrote:
Hi Susan,
Ditto to the following question...are just the handles extruded? is the
bubble soap end out of clay as well?
Thanks...I love your work.
Jane
www.dragonflypottery.ca
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kris Bliss"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2005 10:07 PM
Subject: Re: inexpensive sales


> susan, darlin,
> what are bubble wands?
> i have a grandma with me now...
> mostly she just visits in the studio, tried a bit of glazing but
> no go..
> kris
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Susan Nebeker"

> To:
> Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2005 5:06 PM
> Subject: Re: inexpensive sales
>
>
>> mel jacobson wrote:
>> i have reported this before...but it can be repeated.
>>
>> child labor.
>> god, i love it...should have more of it.
>>
>> Just for chuckles, Mel- let me share this with ya'll.......
>>
>> The bubble wands I wrote about that make such great kiln fillers were
>> originally a project for my grandmother. She lived with me for a few
>> years till 2003. Paralyzed on the left side of her body, confined
>> to a wheel chair.
>>
>> She absolutely loved going out to the studio with me. Husband built a
>> great ramp for the chair, off we'd go every day, up that ramp and into
>> the
>> studio. She'd sit by the slab roller/wheel and just watch and watch.
>> But
>> then, I could see that finding a way for her to be productive would be so
>> much better. I'd let her scratch the "fur texture" onto my animal
>> sculptures, trim the bottom of my handbuilt planters with the needle
>> tool.
>>
>> It was so great for this woman- who before the stroke that landed her in
>> a wheelchair- could and DID do anything and everything. She could be
>> helpful, she could be creative and productive again. Mentally, she
>> was/is
>> sharp as a tack. (91 years old now!) She hated being stuck in that
>> chair, not able to work.
>>
>> Then came the bubble wand idea..........I extruded the coils for her,
>> gave her the boxes of stamps, and let her go. She was a maniac, kept at
>> those suckers all afternoon, day after day.
>>
>> The day of the spring sale, she sat a few feet away from the table where
>> the wands were, and just beamed. She still likes to tell people about
>> "our studio" and how many hundreds of dollars worth of those wands she
>> sold!
>>
>> As far as working the kids, all three of my daughters have financed
>> themselves with their work done in my studio. The middle one completely
>> put herself through her last three years of college with her earnings.
>>
>> They've worked their little tails off, and it's been a great way to spend
>> time with them too..... Best way to build self-esteem? A big shot of
>> personal success- and creative success is the best kind of success there
>> is.
>>
>> :) Susan
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> __________________________________________________
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>> ______________________________________________________________________________
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>>
>> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
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>>
>> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>> melpots@pclink.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.
>

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