primalmommy on fri 5 aug 05
A while back, I was getting all self righteous about recycling clay, and
scolded folks who didn't. Richard Aerni pointed out that it just wasn't
worthwhile in his studio, and that he didn't like finding little chunks
of crap in his clay (my loose translation, he has a lot more class than
I do.)
And I have recently crowed about my new pug mill, which has helped me
discover soft clay and throw e-freaking-normous pots and tubs and
platters and urns. (Many of which I am now scratching my head about how
to glaze.)
One platter was really nice. Soft but round, undulating slightly like a
manta ray, split rim, two nice handles.
And a big plaster pop-out right in the middle.
Yeah, yeah, mel, I have read your plaster scold a million times. But
this clay is eight years old, and I wasn't always so careful.
I have decided it's a good idea for me to put a day or two between
unloading my big bisque and glazing it, just to give humidity a chance
to cause pop-outs before I bother glazing (or worse -- selling them!)
So I'm having a big helping of crow. I still love my old soft clay and
my bluebird, though. I am just determined to use more predictable clay
for fussy, detailed stuff I can't remake with ease.
yours
Kelly in Ohio
_______________________________________________________________
Get the FREE email that has everyone talking at http://www.mail2world.com
Unlimited Email Storage – POP3 – Calendar – SMS – Translator – Much More!
Gordon Ward on sat 6 aug 05
Hi Kelly,
I certainly can't say I've never had a pop-out, but I made a little
studio rule which seems to work: Trimmings and clay scrap that ends up
on the floor gets tossed. If they're from a table, splash pan, or
wheel top, they get recycled.
If you put trimmings into a plastic bag right away (before they dry
out) and squeeze a sponge full of water over them, you can get your
clay back to plastic very quickly without too much slop. When you get
about 10 - 12 lbs, wedge it up. It usually needs a day or so to dry
before it's usable.
Gordon
On Aug 5, 2005, at 8:32 PM, primalmommy wrote:
> And a big plaster pop-out right in the middle.
| |
|
