Janna Marcilla on thu 10 nov 05
I have been making whistles for the last month and I am having a real hard
time trying to keep them supple to get through the whole process. I am
keeping them on plastic sheeting on the board and three layers of plastic
bags wrapped on the outside including the board. The whistle necks are
drying too fast and they are breaking off when I am trying to make the
whistle hole. I am using kitchen garbage bags. Are they too thin to keep
in the moisture? What plastic (bag, sheeting) should I be using instead?
I am at my wit's end. I am working by myself so the scuplting and
additive process is taking quite a while, over a week, and it is real hard
to make the whistle part when the clay gets too stiff, I have had to scrap
alot of whistles. I am spraying them with water to try and keep them
hydrated and that hasn't been working too well either. I live here in the
Albuquerque desert and it is very dry right now, I know that is not
helping.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can correct this problem? I
spent several hours reading the archives and couldn't find anything that
really addressed this problem, I researched "plastic" and "dry". Should I
be looking for another key word?
Sincerely Janna Marcilla
Darnie Sizemore on thu 10 nov 05
Janna,
A method that has worked for me is to line the board
with plastic, then the work, a wet sponge and an
additional piece of plastic on top that I tuck under
the board.
The plastic that works best for me are the folded
table clothes you can buy at a dollar store. They are
very durable, in large sheets that can be cut down,
and are in expensive.
Good luck,
Darnie
--- Janna Marcilla wrote:
> I have been making whistles for the last month and I
> am having a real hard
> time trying to keep them supple to get through the
> whole process. I am
> keeping them on plastic sheeting on the board and
> three layers of plastic
> bags wrapped on the outside including the board. The
> whistle necks are
> drying too fast and they are breaking off when I am
> trying to make the
> whistle hole. I am using kitchen garbage bags. Are
> they too thin to keep
> in the moisture? What plastic (bag, sheeting) should
> I be using instead?
> I am at my wit's end. I am working by myself so the
> scuplting and
> additive process is taking quite a while, over a
> week, and it is real hard
> to make the whistle part when the clay gets too
> stiff, I have had to scrap
> alot of whistles. I am spraying them with water to
> try and keep them
> hydrated and that hasn't been working too well
> either. I live here in the
> Albuquerque desert and it is very dry right now, I
> know that is not
> helping.
> Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can
> correct this problem? I
> spent several hours reading the archives and
> couldn't find anything that
> really addressed this problem, I researched
> "plastic" and "dry". Should I
> be looking for another key word?
>
> Sincerely Janna Marcilla
>
>
______________________________________________________________________________
> 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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earlk on thu 10 nov 05
Janna,
Got a picnic/camping cooler that seals tightly?
Mist the inside with water, put your whistles
inside with a damp sponge and close the lid.
This kept some pots of mine workable for over
3 months.
earlk...
bothell, wa, usa
Ruth Ballou on thu 10 nov 05
Two suggestions: Dry cleaner's plastic (the tried and true for
potters) and HandiWipes or the competition (sold near the paper
towels in the grocery). Wet and squeeze out the HandiWipe. Wrap the
piece in the Wipe and the plastic. The water will be gently and
evenly wicked out of the cloth into the clay. Check every 20 minutes
or so and rewet as necessary. I've found that I can rewet all but the
driest of pieces back to leather hard with a few successive
treatments. Works especially well with stoneware, less so with
porcelain, but still worth trying. It's easily possible to wet pots
too much, so be warned. I also use them to keep slabs at perfect
wetness for quite a while. They will rot after a week or so.
Ruth Ballou
Belgium
On Nov 10, 2005, at 5:34 PM, Janna Marcilla wrote:
> I have been making whistles for the last month and I am having a
> real hard
> time trying to keep them supple to get through the whole process.
> I am
> keeping them on plastic sheeting on the board and three layers of
> plastic
> bags wrapped on the outside including the board. The whistle necks are
> drying too fast and they are breaking off when I am trying to make the
> whistle hole. I am using kitchen garbage bags. Are they too thin
> to keep
> in the moisture? What plastic (bag, sheeting) should I be using
> instead?
> I am at my wit's end. I am working by myself so the scuplting and
> additive process is taking quite a while, over a week, and it is
> real hard
> to make the whistle part when the clay gets too stiff, I have had
> to scrap
> alot of whistles. I am spraying them with water to try and keep them
> hydrated and that hasn't been working too well either. I live here
> in the
> Albuquerque desert and it is very dry right now, I know that is not
> helping.
> Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can correct this problem? I
> spent several hours reading the archives and couldn't find anything
> that
> really addressed this problem, I researched "plastic" and "dry".
> Should I
> be looking for another key word?
>
> Sincerely Janna Marcilla
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
> ________
> 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.
>
>
Antoinette Badenhorst on thu 10 nov 05
Hi Janna. I also work with complicated clay and often times have to add =
up
to six pieces together. The humidity and heat here in MS forces me to =
keep
my air-conditioner and fans on most of the time (wintertime it is a =
kerosene
heater) and that causes the porcelain to dry way too fast. I came up =
lately
with a large plaster bat that I soaked in water and that I keep wet. =
That is
placed inside a large plastic storage container (the big old green, red =
or
blue ones that one buy at Wal-Mart). Immediately after I made the pieces
they go into this container. I also bought myself round plastic =
containers
that are supposed to hold food fresh. I use those to put the larger =
thrown
part (normally the body) of the pot in. I throw on plaster bats, so the
containers are large enough for me to place the plaster bat on the lid =
of
the plastic container. I then cover it with the container itself =
airtight.
If I know I will work on that piece soon, I open the container for it to =
dry
off till its right. Often times I would cover the pots with buckets just =
to
keep the drying elements out while I am throwing.
Black plastic is normally better to use than white or clear plastic and =
I do
use that sometimes if the container is clear. Don't ask me why black =
plastic
is better, I just know it is.=20
One last thing to remember is that as the water evaporates out of the =
pot it
will gather at the top of your container. If it condensates and make =
drops
of water it may ruin your pot. Use phone book paper and cover your pot =
or
pieces of pot with it so that it can absorb the water.=20
Of cause there are ways to build wet cabinets or wet rooms as well, but =
that
takes space, money and time.
I have stored pots for weeks and even months like this. Hope it will =
help
for you.
Do you need sharp trimming tools that will not wear out quickly? Contact =
me
for information.=20
Antoinette Badenhorst
105 Westwood Circle
Saltillo MS, 38866
662 869 1651
www.clayandcanvas.com
www.southernartistry.org
=20
=20
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Janna =
Marcilla
Sent: Thursday, November 10, 2005 10:35 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: vessels drying too fast
I have been making whistles for the last month and I am having a real =
hard
time trying to keep them supple to get through the whole process. I am
keeping them on plastic sheeting on the board and three layers of =
plastic
bags wrapped on the outside including the board. The whistle necks are
drying too fast and they are breaking off when I am trying to make the
whistle hole. I am using kitchen garbage bags. Are they too thin to =
keep
in the moisture? What plastic (bag, sheeting) should I be using instead?
I am at my wit's end. I am working by myself so the scuplting and
additive process is taking quite a while, over a week, and it is real =
hard
to make the whistle part when the clay gets too stiff, I have had to =
scrap
alot of whistles. I am spraying them with water to try and keep them
hydrated and that hasn't been working too well either. I live here in =
the
Albuquerque desert and it is very dry right now, I know that is not
helping.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can correct this problem? I
spent several hours reading the archives and couldn't find anything that
really addressed this problem, I researched "plastic" and "dry". Should =
I
be looking for another key word?
Sincerely Janna Marcilla
_________________________________________________________________________=
___
__
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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.
steve graber on thu 10 nov 05
dry cleaner bags work great! if you don't dry clean much, find local stores. most clothing being sold in stores arrives there wrapped in a dry cleaner bag. either mionitor their trash can out back or go thru the front door & see when they get their next delivery & get a batch of bags. i got a lifetime supply of bags (i think) from behind a Gap store.
clay times i think had a great wetbox design made from a normal ice chest. the bottom of the ice chest wa spoured plaster. add your pieces to the box on the plaster or on support blocks. pour water in once in a while, and close the lid.
see ya
steve
Janna Marcilla wrote:
I have been making whistles for the last month and I am having a real hard
time trying to keep them supple to get through the whole process. I am
keeping them on plastic sheeting on the board and three layers of plastic
bags wrapped on the outside including the board. The whistle necks are
drying too fast and they are breaking off when I am trying to make the
whistle hole. I am using kitchen garbage bags. Are they too thin to keep
in the moisture? What plastic (bag, sheeting) should I be using instead?
I am at my wit's end. I am working by myself so the scuplting and
additive process is taking quite a while, over a week, and it is real hard
to make the whistle part when the clay gets too stiff, I have had to scrap
alot of whistles. I am spraying them with water to try and keep them
hydrated and that hasn't been working too well either. I live here in the
Albuquerque desert and it is very dry right now, I know that is not
helping.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can correct this problem? I
spent several hours reading the archives and couldn't find anything that
really addressed this problem, I researched "plastic" and "dry". Should I
be looking for another key word?
Sincerely Janna Marcilla
______________________________________________________________________________
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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Michael Wendt on thu 10 nov 05
Janna,
We routinely store handles in Tupperware containers.
There is no moisture loss even after two weeks. The fuller they are, the
moister the pieces stay.
A damp sponge in the bottom further adds to the moisture.
Regards,
Michael Wendt
Wendt Pottery
2729 Clearwater Ave
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
USA
wendtpot@lewiston.com
www.wendtpottery.com
Leland Hall on thu 10 nov 05
Janna,
Don't know if this will work or not with your whistles,but back when I was
making lots of Native American masks, I had to wrap any long,thin
protuberances with a bit of damp paper towell, then saran wrap, then bag
the whole mask.
Hope this helps.
Best
Leland Hall
Before The Wheel
La Pine, OR, USA
Pfeiffer, Dan R (Dan) on thu 10 nov 05
Try added more wet things in the bag. A towel may work well. One or two
small things will not put enough water in the air in the bag to stop it
drying.
Dan & Laurel in Elkmont Al
Pfeiffer Fire Arts
Potters Council Members
>>>>I have been making whistles for the last month and I am having a real
hard
time trying to keep them supple to get through the whole process. >>>>
Jennifer Boyer on thu 10 nov 05
I've seen a system where someone buys a tight lidded plastic container,
pours about an inch or 2 of plaster in the bottom and then keeps that
wetted down. Pots are stored inside.
Jennifer
On Nov 10, 2005, at 12:15 PM, Darnie Sizemore wrote:
> Janna,
>
> A method that has worked for me is to line the board
> with plastic, then the work, a wet sponge and an
> additional piece of plastic on top that I tuck under
> the board.
>
> The plastic that works best for me are the folded
> table clothes you can buy at a dollar store. They are
> very durable, in large sheets that can be cut down,
> and are in expensive.
>
> Good luck,
> Darnie
>
> --- Janna Marcilla wrote:
>
>> I have been making whistles for the last month and I
>> am having a real hard
>> time trying to keep them supple to get through the
>> whole process. I am
>> keeping them on plastic sheeting on the board and
>> three layers of plastic
>> bags wrapped on the outside including the board. The
>> whistle necks are
>> drying too fast and they are breaking off when I am
>> trying to make the
>> whistle hole. I am using kitchen garbage bags. Are
>> they too thin to keep
>> in the moisture? What plastic (bag, sheeting) should
>> I be using instead?
>> I am at my wit's end. I am working by myself so the
>> scuplting and
>> additive process is taking quite a while, over a
>> week, and it is real hard
>> to make the whistle part when the clay gets too
>> stiff, I have had to scrap
>> alot of whistles. I am spraying them with water to
>> try and keep them
>> hydrated and that hasn't been working too well
>> either. I live here in the
>> Albuquerque desert and it is very dry right now, I
>> know that is not
>> helping.
>> Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can
>> correct this problem? I
>> spent several hours reading the archives and
>> couldn't find anything that
>> really addressed this problem, I researched
>> "plastic" and "dry". Should I
>> be looking for another key word?
>>
>> Sincerely Janna Marcilla
>>
>>
> _______________________________________________________________________
> _______
>> 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.
>>
>
>
>
>
>
> __________________________________
> Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005
> http://mail.yahoo.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.
>
>
************************
Jennifer Boyer
Thistle Hill Pottery
Montpelier, VT
http://thistlehillpottery.com
Lester Haworth on thu 10 nov 05
Janna,
I love working with Southern Ice but I would have to say it's a demanding
clay to work with. More than any clay I've ever worked with, this clay wants
to dry really fast. The only thing that has worked for me is covering the
piece when I'm not working on it and completing the piece BEFORE it hits
cheese hard (Just before leather hard). I also try to attach any handles,
spouts, ect... before this stage so that I can trim and finish the piece and
let it dry. I have also found that if one side is drying faster then I would
flip the piece so that the bottom can dry some and catch up with the top.
Maybe turn your whistles every 30 or 45 min. so that one side doesn't dry
faster than the other.
Les H.
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On Behalf Of Janna
Marcilla
Sent: Thursday, November 10, 2005 8:35 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: vessels drying too fast
I have been making whistles for the last month and I am having a real hard
time trying to keep them supple to get through the whole process. I am
keeping them on plastic sheeting on the board and three layers of plastic
bags wrapped on the outside including the board. The whistle necks are
drying too fast and they are breaking off when I am trying to make the
whistle hole. I am using kitchen garbage bags. Are they too thin to keep
in the moisture? What plastic (bag, sheeting) should I be using instead?
I am at my wit's end. I am working by myself so the scuplting and
additive process is taking quite a while, over a week, and it is real hard
to make the whistle part when the clay gets too stiff, I have had to scrap
alot of whistles. I am spraying them with water to try and keep them
hydrated and that hasn't been working too well either. I live here in the
Albuquerque desert and it is very dry right now, I know that is not
helping.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can correct this problem? I
spent several hours reading the archives and couldn't find anything that
really addressed this problem, I researched "plastic" and "dry". Should I
be looking for another key word?
Sincerely Janna Marcilla
____________________________________________________________________________
__
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.
Jim Kasper on thu 10 nov 05
Hi Janna,
Notice the creative snipping below:)
Seems there are some pretty good examples of making humidity chambers to keep clay damp out there.
In the process of making several hundred whistles the last few years I have run into the same problems. For my needs bags usually work, although if i get forgetfull (or slothful) I often get whistles that are too hard to finish.
But.... I still think the "Key word" is timing.
I would have so much fun throwing, I would do 36 bodies, then it would take forever to finish the whistles. My suggestion would be to try doing smaller batches to reduce the amount of time under wraps.
Secondary suggestion is to get so damned good, you know what kind of bend to put in the neck so you don't need to bend it after you cut your whistle hole.
Thats what i am gonna do :)
Regards,
Jim
(who did not think to put his whistles away before Wilma came.)
http://zafka.com/wilma.html
> From: Janna Marcilla
I have been making whistles for the last month
and I am having a real hard time
I am at my wit's end.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can correct this problem?
Should I be looking for another key word?
Sincerely Janna Marcilla
Zafka Studios
Jensen Beach, FL.
http://zafka.com
Earl Brunner on thu 10 nov 05
Two things, when I have made whistles in bulk, I didn't do more than a certain number at a time on any one part of the process, none of mine had long thin necks, but I never had more than 10 going at a time, I would pinch out the bodies, then add the mouth piece, then add the sculpural elements that I wanted, then cut the whistle last. It might just be as simple as modifying how many you have going at once. Maybe you are trying too many at a time.
The other thing is I sometimes use individual ziplock bags for projects. I have kept some small lidded porcelain jars in individual ziplocks, in an ice chest for over a year and a half and still had them leather hard. I was doing carvings for celedon glaze.
I'm in Vegas, it doesn't get much drier than here.
Janna Marcilla wrote:
I have been making whistles for the last month and I am having a real hard
time trying to keep them supple to get through the whole process. I am
keeping them on plastic sheeting on the board and three layers of plastic
bags wrapped on the outside including the board. The whistle necks are
drying too fast and they are breaking off when I am trying to make the
whistle hole. I am using kitchen garbage bags. Are they too thin to keep
in the moisture? What plastic (bag, sheeting) should I be using instead?
I am at my wit's end. I am working by myself so the scuplting and
additive process is taking quite a while, over a week, and it is real hard
to make the whistle part when the clay gets too stiff, I have had to scrap
alot of whistles. I am spraying them with water to try and keep them
hydrated and that hasn't been working too well either. I live here in the
Albuquerque desert and it is very dry right now, I know that is not
helping.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can correct this problem? I
spent several hours reading the archives and couldn't find anything that
really addressed this problem, I researched "plastic" and "dry". Should I
be looking for another key word?
Sincerely Janna Marcilla
______________________________________________________________________________
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.
Earl Brunner
e-mail: brunv53@yahoo.com
Bonnie Staffel on fri 11 nov 05
I would suggest that you wet a bath towel type cloth and wring it out
very well and put that on top of your whistles in your plastic sandwich.
Put all of the whistles all together. I do this all the time when I
have to rescue those items that dry partially for me. The type of clay
you are using may not respond to this method, but mine does for me.
Respectfully yours,
Bonnie Staffel
http://webpages.charter.net/bstaffel/
DVD Throwing with Coils and Slabs
DVD Beginning Processes
Charter Member Potters Council
Tom at Hutchtel.net on fri 11 nov 05
Janna...Thanks again for your donation of the kiln.
As to your drying problem, Lili hints at it, but I use plastic boxes with
snap lids, clothing storage things, put about 1 inch of plaster in the
bottom. let it dry completely and then re wet it to store handle blanks and
some other parts. Have held things in this for up to 6 months. If you get
a tendency for mold to form, put a few drops of bleach in the water you put
on the plaster. It makes a great mini damp box.
Tom Wirt
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