Brad Sondahl on thu 12 oct 06
Ha! a quick check of the archives reveals this topic has not been
discussed before, yet every potter should have some clean up sponges.
For me, the ideal clean up sponge is synthetic (not cellulose--they clog
too easily), about 4 X 4 X 2 inches, and cheap. They would come twice
that size, but I'd cut them in half to better fit the hand. Besides for
wiping surfaces and cleaning hands, I use them to clean glaze off pot
bottoms, so they tend to wear out regularly.
The reason I'm discussing it, is that it used to be common to see bags
of larger sponges at drug stores, even 3 for a dollar. I'm down to my
last one, purchased years ago. I'm not a big shopper, but I keep my
eyes open, but mostly am seeing the cellulose ones now, or small
synthetics. The closest to the ones I like are car wash sponges, but
they're often sort of presoftened, which removes a lot of the life for a
potter's use. Yes some pottery suppliers stock ones that work, but at
about 6 times the price that seems reasonable to me.
So, if anyone knows of a national brand store that has cheap large
synthetic sponges, I'd be interested. I say national brand because that
info would be useful more generally than local stores that aren't local
to me or others who are interested.
TIA
Brad Sondahl
--
For my comics, pottery how-to and musical videos, original art, music, pottery, and literature, visit my homepage
http://sondahl.com
maggie jones on fri 13 oct 06
try your local foam and fabric store and compare pricing.
we have big chunks of foam (mattress or pillow) that we cut up as we need
it to whatever size we want.
I don't remember the cost.
Maggie
Maggie and Freeman Jones
Turtle Island Pottery
Black Mountain, NC
http://TurtleIslandPottery.com
http://amartpot.org trustee
On Thu, 12 Oct 2006 21:46:27 -0700 Brad Sondahl
writes:
> Ha! a quick check of the archives reveals this topic has not been
> discussed before, yet every potter should have some clean up
> sponges.
> For me, the ideal clean up sponge is synthetic (not cellulose--they
> clog
> too easily), about 4 X 4 X 2 inches, and cheap. They would come
> twice
> that size, but I'd cut them in half to better fit the hand. Besides
> for
> wiping surfaces and cleaning hands, I use them to clean glaze off
> pot
> bottoms, so they tend to wear out regularly.
> The reason I'm discussing it, is that it used to be common to see
> bags
> of larger sponges at drug stores, even 3 for a dollar. I'm down to
> my
> last one, purchased years ago. I'm not a big shopper, but I keep
> my
> eyes open, but mostly am seeing the cellulose ones now, or small
> synthetics. The closest to the ones I like are car wash sponges,
> but
> they're often sort of presoftened, which removes a lot of the life
> for a
> potter's use. Yes some pottery suppliers stock ones that work, but
> at
> about 6 times the price that seems reasonable to me.
> So, if anyone knows of a national brand store that has cheap large
> synthetic sponges, I'd be interested. I say national brand because
> that
> info would be useful more generally than local stores that aren't
> local
> to me or others who are interested.
> TIA
> Brad Sondahl
>
> --
> For my comics, pottery how-to and musical videos, original art,
> music, pottery, and literature, visit my homepage
> http://sondahl.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.
>
>
Snail Scott on fri 13 oct 06
On Oct 12, 2006, at 11:46 PM, Brad Sondahl wrote:
> ...if anyone knows of a national brand store that has cheap large
> synthetic sponges, I'd be interested...
Several 'dollar store' chains sell
car-wash-sized synthetic sponges.
-Snail
dwichman@frontiernet.net on fri 13 oct 06
I have a shelf full of sponges which have been(or will be) recycled
from packing material into cleaning, supporting, sponging,packing,(and
shreds on the floor when one falls down and the cats see an opportunity
for some destructive fun...).
Over a bit of time, you can collect soft, firm, big, small, thin and
thick sponges from this source. I work in an MIS dept. where a lot of
equipments is delivered and so I run across this routinely, but maybe
you know of someone in business who would gladly save the sponge
material for you? I also save the little bags of air as supplements to
bubblewrap when shipping pottery.
Debi Wichman
Cookeville, TN
http://www.elementterra.com
Bruce Girrell on fri 13 oct 06
I find sponges not to be the optimal cleanup tool. I much prefer a
washcloth. One that has gotten a little ratty for bathroom use or else the
things sold as "shop rags"* do nicely. A washcloth seems to me to be able to
pick up quite a bit more material than a sponge before it is necessary to go
back to the sink to rinse it and a washcloth doesn't tear up or leave nearly
as many little bits of itself lying about as a sponge.
Bruce "just my adjusted-for-inflation 2 cents" Girrell
* Shop rags or mechanics' rags sometimes are a little water resistant at
first but after some usage become much better.
Cheryl Weickert6 on fri 13 oct 06
Brad, try Home Depot, or any of the other large home improvement stores.
They usually have a large selection of heavy-duty cleaning supplies.
Pinky in winter wonder land! MN, tho I see most of the northern states
got winter early this year.
Ivy Glasgow on fri 13 oct 06
Grout sponges work great for cleaning up clay, especially groggy clay. They
are big enough to pick up a lot of dirt, they don't clog, and they rinse out
wonderfully. They seem to leave less film behind than natural sponges, and
they are pretty tough. Best of all, they are available cheaply at any
building store. They are usually with the grout and tile supply stuff.
I think I've just been inspired to clean the studio!
-Ivy G.
Craig Clark on fri 13 oct 06
Brad, I switched to using synthetic sponges several years back when
it was pointed out to me that the harvesting of sponges from natural
reefs was doing some pretty radical damage to the reefs. Decided to make
the switch and haven't had any difficulty shifting over to the synthetic
varieties. Don't know if there are any entrepenuers out there who are
"farm raising" sponges or not, but that may account for some of the
increase in price if that is the case.
As far as getting the less expensive, car washing size sponges, try
your local automotive repair store. I bought a couple a few months back
for one dollar each. They are big/yellow/soft when wet, and cut just fine.
Hope this helps
Craig Dunn Clark
619 East 11 1/2 St
Houston, Texas 77008
(713)861-2083
mudman@hal-pc.org
Brad Sondahl wrote:
> Ha! a quick check of the archives reveals this topic has not been
> discussed before, yet every potter should have some clean up sponges.
> For me, the ideal clean up sponge is synthetic (not cellulose--they clog
> too easily), about 4 X 4 X 2 inches, and cheap. They would come twice
> that size, but I'd cut them in half to better fit the hand. Besides for
> wiping surfaces and cleaning hands, I use them to clean glaze off pot
> bottoms, so they tend to wear out regularly.
> The reason I'm discussing it, is that it used to be common to see bags
> of larger sponges at drug stores, even 3 for a dollar. I'm down to my
> last one, purchased years ago. I'm not a big shopper, but I keep my
> eyes open, but mostly am seeing the cellulose ones now, or small
> synthetics. The closest to the ones I like are car wash sponges, but
> they're often sort of presoftened, which removes a lot of the life for a
> potter's use. Yes some pottery suppliers stock ones that work, but at
> about 6 times the price that seems reasonable to me.
> So, if anyone knows of a national brand store that has cheap large
> synthetic sponges, I'd be interested. I say national brand because that
> info would be useful more generally than local stores that aren't local
> to me or others who are interested.
> TIA
> Brad Sondahl
>
> --
> For my comics, pottery how-to and musical videos, original art, music,
> pottery, and literature, visit my homepage
> http://sondahl.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.
>
Bunny Lemak on fri 13 oct 06
On Fri, 13 Oct 2006 10:54:02 -0400, Bruce Girrell
wrote:
I much prefer a washcloth. >
>Bruce "just my adjusted-for-inflation 2 cents" Girrell
>
>
>I have to agree with Bruce, a washcloth has been my choice for a long
time. Sponges tend to shed when they get older, and you do not want that
going down your drain!
You can buy a stack of white washcloths at Wal-Mart very inexpensively,
use them, throw them in your washer with a little bleach and they clean up
nicely. Toss when they get unusable - which is a very long time for me.
I also use them when taking the glaze off the bottom of a pot, simply
rinse it out with clean water, leaving some water in the rag, lying it out
flat, drag your pot/vase across the rag several times (or until it is
glaze free), simple and easy.
Bunny
Patrick Cross on fri 13 oct 06
I was just thinking about suggesting that...upholstery foam for
sponges....but I wouldn't go out and buy it. Just watch the curbs for
tossed couches and pick up the seat cushions. Another source...Thrift Store
are forever getting furniture donated that NO one would want to buy. They
are usually left with the cost of disposal on unwanted furniture and would
be happy for you to haul away even a small part of it for them. In one
afternoon you could get a supply of sponge material for free that would last
you for years... And you shouldn't feel bad about tossing crummy ones
rather than rinsing them out because you basically would have saved them
from the landfill once already...and used the material a few more
times...before they ended up there.
Patrick Cross (cone10soda)
On 10/13/06, maggie jones wrote:
>
> try your local foam and fabric store and compare pricing.
> we have big chunks of foam (mattress or pillow) that we cut up as we need
> it to whatever size we want.
> I don't remember the cost.
>
> Maggie
>
>
> Maggie and Freeman Jones
> Turtle Island Pottery
> Black Mountain, NC
> http://TurtleIslandPottery.com
> http://amartpot.org trustee
>
> On Thu, 12 Oct 2006 21:46:27 -0700 Brad Sondahl
> writes:
> > Ha! a quick check of the archives reveals this topic has not been
> > discussed before, yet every potter should have some clean up
> > sponges.
> > For me, the ideal clean up sponge is synthetic (not cellulose--they
> > clog
> > too easily), about 4 X 4 X 2 inches, and cheap. They would come
> > twice
> > that size, but I'd cut them in half to better fit the hand. Besides
> > for
> > wiping surfaces and cleaning hands, I use them to clean glaze off
> > pot
> > bottoms, so they tend to wear out regularly.
> > The reason I'm discussing it, is that it used to be common to see
> > bags
> > of larger sponges at drug stores, even 3 for a dollar. I'm down to
> > my
> > last one, purchased years ago. I'm not a big shopper, but I keep
> > my
> > eyes open, but mostly am seeing the cellulose ones now, or small
> > synthetics. The closest to the ones I like are car wash sponges,
> > but
> > they're often sort of presoftened, which removes a lot of the life
> > for a
> > potter's use. Yes some pottery suppliers stock ones that work, but
> > at
> > about 6 times the price that seems reasonable to me.
> > So, if anyone knows of a national brand store that has cheap large
> > synthetic sponges, I'd be interested. I say national brand because
> > that
> > info would be useful more generally than local stores that aren't
> > local
> > to me or others who are interested.
> > TIA
> > Brad Sondahl
> >
> > --
> > For my comics, pottery how-to and musical videos, original art,
> > music, pottery, and literature, visit my homepage
> > http://sondahl.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.
> >
> >
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> 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.
>
Patrick Cross on fri 13 oct 06
Oh I meant to add that electric carving knives work great for cutting that
stuff into any shape or thickness you desire. If you don't have one of
those, really long thin bread knives work good too.
Patrick Cross (cone10soda)
On 10/13/06, Patrick Cross wrote:
>
> I was just thinking about suggesting that...upholstery foam for
> sponges....but I wouldn't go out and buy it. Just watch the curbs for
> tossed couches and pick up the seat cushions. Another source...Thrift Store
> are forever getting furniture donated that NO one would want to buy. They
> are usually left with the cost of disposal on unwanted furniture and would
> be happy for you to haul away even a small part of it for them. In one
> afternoon you could get a supply of sponge material for free that would last
> you for years... And you shouldn't feel bad about tossing crummy ones
> rather than rinsing them out because you basically would have saved them
> from the landfill once already...and used the material a few more
> times...before they ended up there.
>
> Patrick Cross (cone10soda)
>
>
> On 10/13/06, maggie jones wrote:
> >
> > try your local foam and fabric store and compare pricing.
> > we have big chunks of foam (mattress or pillow) that we cut up as we
> > need
> > it to whatever size we want.
> > I don't remember the cost.
> >
> > Maggie
> >
> >
> > Maggie and Freeman Jones
> > Turtle Island Pottery
> > Black Mountain, NC
> > http://TurtleIslandPottery.com
> > http://amartpot.org trustee
> >
> > On Thu, 12 Oct 2006 21:46:27 -0700 Brad Sondahl
> > writes:
> > > Ha! a quick check of the archives reveals this topic has not been
> > > discussed before, yet every potter should have some clean up
> > > sponges.
> > > For me, the ideal clean up sponge is synthetic (not cellulose--they
> > > clog
> > > too easily), about 4 X 4 X 2 inches, and cheap. They would come
> > > twice
> > > that size, but I'd cut them in half to better fit the hand. Besides
> > > for
> > > wiping surfaces and cleaning hands, I use them to clean glaze off
> > > pot
> > > bottoms, so they tend to wear out regularly.
> > > The reason I'm discussing it, is that it used to be common to see
> > > bags
> > > of larger sponges at drug stores, even 3 for a dollar. I'm down to
> > > my
> > > last one, purchased years ago. I'm not a big shopper, but I keep
> > > my
> > > eyes open, but mostly am seeing the cellulose ones now, or small
> > > synthetics. The closest to the ones I like are car wash sponges,
> > > but
> > > they're often sort of presoftened, which removes a lot of the life
> > > for a
> > > potter's use. Yes some pottery suppliers stock ones that work, but
> > > at
> > > about 6 times the price that seems reasonable to me.
> > > So, if anyone knows of a national brand store that has cheap large
> > > synthetic sponges, I'd be interested. I say national brand because
> > > that
> > > info would be useful more generally than local stores that aren't
> > > local
> > > to me or others who are interested.
> > > TIA
> > > Brad Sondahl
> > >
> > > --
> > > For my comics, pottery how-to and musical videos, original art,
> > > music, pottery, and literature, visit my homepage
> > > http://sondahl.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.
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________________________
> > 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.
> >
>
>
Janine Roubik on fri 13 oct 06
Hey everybody,=0AI also use washcloths/small handtowels from the dollar sto=
re (And from my kitchen, because dear husband likes to clean up spills with=
my good kitchen towels instead of the paper towel, which is right next to =
the towels...: ) ) as well as those big bone car washing sponges for major =
cleanups (around the wheel after a long day, etc...)=0ABut I found (quite o=
n accident really) that the sponges sold for ladies to apply their makeup (=
the little beige triangular ones, usually get 10 or 12 in a pack) are aweso=
me for wiping glaze off of a foot. The edges of those are very crisp and y=
ou can get an almost perfect straight line. =0AJanine=0A=0A=0A----- Origina=
l Message ----=0AFrom: Bruce Girrell =0ATo: CLAY=
ART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG=0ASent: Friday, October 13, 2006 9:54:02 AM=0ASubject:=
Re: Clean up sponges=0A=0A=0AI find sponges not to be the optimal cleanup =
tool. I much prefer a=0Awashcloth. One that has gotten a little ratty for b=
athroom use or else the=0Athings sold as "shop rags"* do nicely. A washclot=
h seems to me to be able to=0Apick up quite a bit more material than a spon=
ge before it is necessary to go=0Aback to the sink to rinse it and a washcl=
oth doesn't tear up or leave nearly=0Aas many little bits of itself lying a=
bout as a sponge.=0A=0ABruce "just my adjusted-for-inflation 2 cents" Girre=
ll=0A=0A=0A=0A* Shop rags or mechanics' rags sometimes are a little water r=
esistant at=0Afirst but after some usage become much better.=0A=0A_________=
_____________________________________________________________________=0ASen=
d postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org=0A=0AYou may look at the archives fo=
r the list or change your subscription=0Asettings from http://www.ceramics.=
org/clayart/=0A=0AModerator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached =
at melpots@pclink.com.
Cheryl Weickert6 on sat 14 oct 06
Janine, have you ever tried using them for adding more glaze to pots or
underglazing? Wonder if they would work better than a brush or those
spongy paint brushes? Those sponges are going to be on my next shopping
list, thanks for the idea.
Pinky, west central MN, the whiteness left but I'm sure it will be back!
On Fri, 13 Oct 2006 12:28:11 -0700, Janine Roubik
But I found (quite on accident really) that the sponges sold for ladies to
apply their makeup (the little beige triangular ones, usually get 10 or 12
in a pack) are awesome for wiping glaze off of a foot. The edges of those
are very crisp and you can get an almost perfect straight line.
Janine
Janine Roubik on sat 14 oct 06
Hello Cheryl,=0AI haven't tried them for underglazes or anything...most of =
my decoration is carved. Let us know how it works for you!=0AJanine=0A=0A-=
---- Original Message ----=0AFrom: Cheryl Weickert6 =
=0ATo: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG=0ASent: Saturday, October 14, 2006 12:03:43=
AM=0ASubject: Re: Clean up sponges=0A=0A=0AJanine, have you ever tried usi=
ng them for adding more glaze to pots or=0Aunderglazing? Wonder if they wo=
uld work better than a brush or those=0Aspongy paint brushes? Those sponge=
s are going to be on my next shopping=0Alist, thanks for the idea.=0A=0APin=
ky, west central MN, the whiteness left but I'm sure it will be back!
Don Goodrich on sat 14 oct 06
Ah, a technical thread I can relate to!
I'm perennially in search of little sponges that will allow
me to clean up the sprigged decorations on my pots after they're
waxed and glazed. Thought I'd found The Answer with those little
triangular makeup sponges. They do indeed soak up glaze and get into
nooks and crannies of a sprigged figure very well. However, I
found that after just a little use they start to disintegrate,
leaving eensy bits of sponge to be picked off the pots. Could it be
that I'm using them for a purpose for which they were not designed?
Are ladies' faces not as hard on them as bisque porcelain?
Might there be better grades of these sponges than the ones I
bought at the dollar store?
Relying on Clayart's vast store of expertise,
Don Goodrich
On Sat, 14 Oct 2006 01:03:43 -0400, Cheryl Weickert6
wrote:
>Janine, have you ever tried using them for adding more glaze to pots or
>underglazing? Wonder if they would work better than a brush or those
>spongy paint brushes? Those sponges are going to be on my next shopping
>list, thanks for the idea.
>
>Pinky, west central MN, the whiteness left but I'm sure it will be back!
>
>On Fri, 13 Oct 2006 12:28:11 -0700, Janine Roubik
>But I found (quite on accident really) that the sponges sold for ladies to
>apply their makeup (the little beige triangular ones, usually get 10 or 12
>in a pack) are awesome for wiping glaze off of a foot. The edges of those
>are very crisp and you can get an almost perfect straight line.
>Janine
Jennifer Boyer on mon 23 oct 06
Hi Don,
Try these:
http://www.artbrush.com/shop/product.php?productid=291&cat=0&page=1
It's the Scharff Brush web site and the name of the brush is the
Series 780 Dabble. It's not a brush but a little 1/4" round sponge on
a handle. I use it for brushwork, but have found it useful for
dabbing at slip and glaze to clean things up. It lasts a long time
too. I abuse mine, leaving it sitting in jars of wash and it seems
indestructible!
This company has a lot of other nice brushes...
Take Care
Jennifer
On Oct 14, 2006, at 11:25 AM, Don Goodrich wrote:
> Ah, a technical thread I can relate to!
>
> I'm perennially in search of little sponges that will allow
> me to clean up the sprigged decorations on my pots after they're
> waxed and glazed. Thought I'd found The Answer with those little
> triangular makeup sponges. They do indeed soak up glaze and get into
> nooks and crannies of a sprigged figure very well. However, I
> found that after just a little use they start to disintegrate,
> leaving eensy bits of sponge to be picked off the pots. Could it be
> that I'm using them for a purpose for which they were not designed?
> Are ladies' faces not as hard on them as bisque porcelain?
> Might there be better grades of these sponges than the ones I
> bought at the dollar store?
*****************************
Jennifer Boyer
Thistle Hill Pottery
Montpelier, VT
http://thistlehillpottery.com
*****************************
=?iso-8859-1?Q?Tig_Dupr=E9?= on thu 27 dec 07
David,
For throwing, clean up, and all-around-the-shop use, I=20
recycle sofa cushions and foam pads. I'm certain that=20
the Japanese sell foam pads somewhere, don't they?
Cut them with a very sharp knife, or wet them slightly
and freeze them, then cut them. I use some the size
of a brick for wiping down surfaces, some the size
of a deck of cards for throwing, and others are
cut with patterns for stamping colorants onto=20
glaze surfaces.
I haven't bought or used an elephant ear in decades.
It's just not worth it to me.
Best of fortune,
Tig Dupre
in Port Orchard, Washington, USA
Bruce Girrell on fri 28 dec 07
If cleanup is what you're actually interested in, then I suggest that you
skip the shipping charges and use an old washcloth or small towel. I find
cloth to be far superior to sponges for the purpose of cleanup. Whereas I
might make half a dozen or more trips back and forth between the wheel and
sink trying to clean it up with a sponge, I make exactly two trips (one for
the major mess, one that wipes it completely clean) with a wet towel.
Sponges have many very practical purposes in a clay studio. IMHO, cleanup is
not one of them.
Bruce "Lynne, where did I put that Nomex suit?" Girrell
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