Robert Edney on tue 29 aug 06
Just so happens that I've just been though the process of working all this
out, and here's what I've learned: Nearly any clay can be burnished.
Depending on the clay you're using, however, it might be a lot easier to
make up some terra sig. Terra sig burnishes like magic compared to raw
clay, and it's a whole lot easier to do and get a good finish. Without
terra sig, and depending on the clay body, a smooth, polished rock makes a
nice, traditional burnishing tool, however some pressure is required and the
kids will probably crack or chip some pots. It can help to pre-coat the pot
with any cooking oil and let is dry first (helps hold the surface together
and make burnishing easier). The back of a spoon will work, but can leave
traces of metal on the clay. Once coated with a thin layer of terra sig,
however, burnishing can be done with a finger wrapped in plastic grocery bag
material and very little pressure -- much easier and raises a wonderful
sheen. Making a batch of terra sig might also be a fun class project, and
it's pretty cheap to do. How are you going to fire? It might be fun to do
a class barrel firing, or even a traditional pit firing if you've got a spot
to do it. Depending on where you are you might even find an experienced
potter to help out.
Making terra sig requires some very basic materials and equipment. For a
clear, simple procedure check out Russell Fouts' description at
http://www.bigceramicstore.com/information/tip62.htm For more detail you
might look at Vince Petalta's method at
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka/professional/terra_sig.htm -- and by the way
thanks very much to both of these guys for posting the information on the
web.
Clay is cheap, and that's the main ingredient in terra sig. Fouts' method,
which is a tad simpler, works fine. If you're using a low fire red clay,
that will provide a good starting point. An electric drill with a cheap
paint mixer attachment from the hardware store will work to get the prepared
clay into solution prior to adding the sodium silicate. Failing that, get
those kid's hands into the bucket and have them squeeze and stir until all
the lumps are out. Don't worry too much about the siphoning process -- just
take off the top third and it will likely be perfect. It doesn't take much
to coat a pinch pot. Empty 2 liter clear soda bottles work well as settling
containers and are easy to obtain. What urban area are you in? If you're
anywhere near me I've somehow ended up with a gallon of sodium silicate and
I'd be happy to share.
Robert
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Holly Davis
Sent: Monday, August 28, 2006 1:55 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: my post never showed up on the list!!!
I may need some help! I sent a post yesterday, but it never showed up on
the list. I am returning to the list after a hiatus and could really use
some advice. I am a new teacher in a very urban high school (= very limited
funds) and need some info. I am starting the kids off with pinch pots and
we are looking at some Native Amer. work. I'd like to have them burnish
their pots so they get shiny. Do I need to have them add terra sig before
burnishing (or polishing)? What's the least expensive, most effective way
to do this? If I need a terra sig, what is the easiest way (and, again,
least expensive, way to accomplish this? Any advice will be helpful!
(Especially those of you with some high school teaching experience :)
Thanks in advance...and hopefully this time my post will go through.
Holly
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holly davis on tue 29 aug 06
Thanks for the info Robert...it will help. I am in York,
PA (not neccessarily the area people think of as urban,
but our downtown can be a little rough :)
I really only have access to an electric kiln at the time,
but the barrel idea is a good one for next semester if I
can find one and somewhere to go with it. What does that
involve? Just a barrel and something to light on fire?
Or is there a lot more to it than that?
Thanks again, Holly
On Tue, 29 Aug 2006 00:12:06 -0700
Robert Edney wrote:
> Just so happens that I've just been though the process
>of working all this
> out, and here's what I've learned: Nearly any clay can
>be burnished.
> Depending on the clay you're using, however, it might be
>a lot easier to
> make up some terra sig. Terra sig burnishes like magic
>compared to raw
> clay, and it's a whole lot easier to do and get a good
>finish. Without
> terra sig, and depending on the clay body, a smooth,
>polished rock makes a
> nice, traditional burnishing tool, however some pressure
>is required and the
> kids will probably crack or chip some pots. It can help
>to pre-coat the pot
> with any cooking oil and let is dry first (helps hold
>the surface together
> and make burnishing easier). The back of a spoon will
>work, but can leave
> traces of metal on the clay. Once coated with a thin
>layer of terra sig,
> however, burnishing can be done with a finger wrapped in
>plastic grocery bag
> material and very little pressure -- much easier and
>raises a wonderful
> sheen. Making a batch of terra sig might also be a fun
>class project, and
> it's pretty cheap to do. How are you going to fire? It
>might be fun to do
> a class barrel firing, or even a traditional pit firing
>if you've got a spot
> to do it. Depending on where you are you might even
>find an experienced
> potter to help out.
>
> Making terra sig requires some very basic materials and
>equipment. For a
> clear, simple procedure check out Russell Fouts'
>description at
> http://www.bigceramicstore.com/information/tip62.htm
> For more detail you
> might look at Vince Petalta's method at
> http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka/professional/terra_sig.htm
>-- and by the way
> thanks very much to both of these guys for posting the
>information on the
> web.
>
> Clay is cheap, and that's the main ingredient in terra
>sig. Fouts' method,
> which is a tad simpler, works fine. If you're using a
>low fire red clay,
> that will provide a good starting point. An electric
>drill with a cheap
> paint mixer attachment from the hardware store will work
>to get the prepared
> clay into solution prior to adding the sodium silicate.
> Failing that, get
> those kid's hands into the bucket and have them squeeze
>and stir until all
> the lumps are out. Don't worry too much about the
>siphoning process -- just
> take off the top third and it will likely be perfect.
> It doesn't take much
> to coat a pinch pot. Empty 2 liter clear soda bottles
>work well as settling
> containers and are easy to obtain. What urban area are
>you in? If you're
> anywhere near me I've somehow ended up with a gallon of
>sodium silicate and
> I'd be happy to share.
>
> Robert
>
> -----Original Message-----
>From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf
>Of Holly Davis
> Sent: Monday, August 28, 2006 1:55 PM
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: my post never showed up on the list!!!
>
> I may need some help! I sent a post yesterday, but it
>never showed up on
> the list. I am returning to the list after a hiatus and
>could really use
> some advice. I am a new teacher in a very urban high
>school (= very limited
> funds) and need some info. I am starting the kids off
>with pinch pots and
> we are looking at some Native Amer. work. I'd like to
>have them burnish
> their pots so they get shiny. Do I need to have them
>add terra sig before
> burnishing (or polishing)? What's the least expensive,
>most effective way
> to do this? If I need a terra sig, what is the easiest
>way (and, again,
> least expensive, way to accomplish this? Any advice
>will be helpful!
> (Especially those of you with some high school teaching
>experience :)
> Thanks in advance...and hopefully this time my post will
>go through.
> Holly
>
> ____________________________________________________________________________
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>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your
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> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
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>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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