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off the hump throwing

updated thu 8 mar 07

 

Taylor Hendrix on tue 6 mar 07


Howdy Everybodies,

I have a question about measuring the lump of clay when throwing off the hump.

I have not seen many people do this but, how does one measure the
amount of clay centered at the top of the hump when trying to throw a
series? I have tried using fingers like when measuring liquor but it
doesn't seem to be very accurate so far, plus I don't really measure
my liquor that way anyway. Are there some other hand positions that
are typical or traditional that I don't know about? Jim Dale does
something with his hands but I've yet to really catch it when he does
it.

I guess I could eyeball it or measure and cut the rim (boo).
Interested to know what works for those of you throwing series like
bowls, cups, or small teapots off the hump. Danke.

--
Taylor, in Rockport TX
http://wirerabbit.blogspot.com
http://wirerabbitpots.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wirerabbit/

John Jensen on tue 6 mar 07


It wouldn't surprise me to learn that many people have very exacting
ways of measuring this "fixed amount" on top of a hump; but I've found
that repetition and experience (in the amounts of hundreds or
thoustands) leads to an ability to make fairly precise estimates. At
first give the amount a reference name, like orange, grape, walnut,
baseball, plum, pingpong ball and so forth; so that you can have an
image in your mind. Eventually you might just develop an intuitive
sense of "rightness" which will be pretty reliable.
I'll be interested in seeing what other have to say on the subject.

John Jensen, Homewood Pottery
homewoodpottery.com
johnjensen@homewoodpottery.com

Josh Berkus on tue 6 mar 07


Taylor,

> I have not seen many people do this but, how does one measure the
> amount of clay centered at the top of the hump when trying to throw a
> series?

Um, measure?

If you're trying to get a series of items of the same size off the hump, then
pretty much you have to go by experience. The other trick is to do them all
in a row off one hump; by the 3rd or 4th item, you'll get the feel for
exactly how much clay you want to grab. To facilitate this, try to keep the
hump more-or-less the same shape, which will require pushing it back into a
cone periodically.

--
The Fuzzy Chef
San Francisco

Mark Tigges on tue 6 mar 07


On Tue, Mar 06, 2007 at 11:59:41AM -0600, Taylor Hendrix wrote:
> I have a question about measuring the lump of clay when throwing off the
> hump.
>
> I have not seen many people do this but, how does one measure the
> amount of clay centered at the top of the hump when trying to throw a
> series?

I wrap both hands around the blob, and adjust it so the right
diameter of the blob leaves the correct gap at the base of my hump (or
not for small pieces). Similarly for height, I look at how many
fingers are covered. Gets me very close, and once I get into a
rythem they're pretty much all identical.

--
http://www.m2crafts.ca
m2crafts [at] gmail

John Fulwood on tue 6 mar 07


Hi Taylor,

I use the finger method. Took a while to get the hang of it but once I did it seems to work for me.

How can I get in touch with Jim Dale? We were at UNT at the same time.

Thanks,

John Fulwood

-----Original Message-----
>From: Taylor Hendrix
>Sent: Mar 6, 2007 12:59 PM
>To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>Subject: Off the hump throwing
>
>Howdy Everybodies,
>
>I have a question about measuring the lump of clay when throwing off the hump.
>
>I have not seen many people do this but, how does one measure the
>amount of clay centered at the top of the hump when trying to throw a
>series? I have tried using fingers like when measuring liquor but it
>doesn't seem to be very accurate so far, plus I don't really measure
>my liquor that way anyway. Are there some other hand positions that
>are typical or traditional that I don't know about? Jim Dale does
>something with his hands but I've yet to really catch it when he does
>it.
>
>I guess I could eyeball it or measure and cut the rim (boo).
>Interested to know what works for those of you throwing series like
>bowls, cups, or small teapots off the hump. Danke.
>
>--
>Taylor, in Rockport TX
>http://wirerabbit.blogspot.com
>http://wirerabbitpots.blogspot.com
>http://www.flickr.com/photos/wirerabbit/
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>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.


John Fulwood
Kissimmee River Pottery
One 8th St. #11
Frenchtown, NJ. 08825
www.kissimmeeriverpottery.com

threereeds1 on tue 6 mar 07


Taylor,

I used to do allot off the hump.

Cone up (rather widely) and define the volume of clay with
the cupped hands. IE grab the amount you want to use and throw
with it. Repeat as necessary. Cup the same amount of clay. I
suppose that there is definition of amount by the indentation made
by the little finger or bottom of the hand. Divides the ball you are
throwing with from the hump, an imaginary or real platform happens.

The feel of the volume is probably easier and more natural for
someone that throws than any other form of measure.

Haven't been throwing off the hump in this go round. Am just
getting more confident working with larger batches of clay.
Headed that way myself soon.

Be Well,
Tom King

----- Original Message -----
From: "Taylor Hendrix"

> I have a question about measuring the lump of clay when throwing off the
> hump.
how does one measure the
> amount of clay centered at the top of the hump when trying to throw a
> series?

> Taylor, in Rockport TX
> http://wirerabbit.blogspot.com
> http://wirerabbitpots.blogspot.com
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/wirerabbit/
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> 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.
>

Lois Ruben Aronow on tue 6 mar 07


I use my sense of feel and my hands to determine who much clay to use. If
you are throwing off the hump, you are doing multiples, so this is a skill
that is quickly learned.

Experience and practice...the answer everyone hates, but is really the most
fun.

..Lo

***
Lois Ruben Aronow Ceramics


www.loisaronow.com
www.craftsofthedamned.blogspot.com

Kathy McDonald on tue 6 mar 07


> I have not seen many people do this but, how does one measure the
> amount of clay centered at the top of the hump when trying to throw a
> series?

When I first started to throw off the hump I made myself some simple =
measuring=20
gauges by tying two meat skewers together with elastics into =
T-formations. to make
a caliper of sorts so that forms would be pretty much the same height=20
and of the same amount of clay. Wind the elastics tightly at the t =
joint.

Different T- formations for different forms. My mug one was 4 inches =
high
and 2 1/2 inches wide for example.


Other's are right when they say intuition kicks in after repetitive =
throwing,

Kathy






=20

--=20
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.7/711 - Release Date: 3/5/2007 =
9:41 AM
=20

Bonnie Staffel on wed 7 mar 07


I used to throw a lot of my small pots off the hump. My way of =
measuring is
almost automatic. My middle fingers establish the bottom and my thumb =
goes
on top. The separation of those two fingers tell me how big I made the =
one
previous. Always use the same pressure, same configuration, and after a
while your pots will come out the same height, width and depth. When I
first did it, I used to line them up on a board and match the ones that
looked best together. However, you are not a machine and I feel that if
there is a nuance of difference between one and another, so what. It is
hand made and should reflect the process. Seems like I always get the =
same
diameter for the top in case I am making lids say for small sugar bowls.
That process is also done the same way, same finger pressure, same space
between and Voila! They all come out the same size. It does take a lot =
of
practice though. If I were doing this process today, it is just like =
riding
a bike, your hands just know how to handle the clay and my pots all come =
out
the same size. =20

If you have never used a string to cut the pot off the hump, you should =
try
it. I demonstrate this in my beginner's DVD. The cut off leaves a nice
shell pattern and one only has to roll the bottom edge to get a nice =
finish.
If you make your hump into a tall cone, always the same width, then it =
all
comes out the same. =20

Think success.

Bonnie Staffel

http://webpages.charter.net/bstaffel/
http://vasefinder.com/bstaffelgallery1.html
DVD Throwing with Coils and Slabs
DVD Beginning Processes
Charter Member Potters Council

Josh Berkus on wed 7 mar 07


Lee,

> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0I have been thinking about making little kits for =
guinomi,
> yunomi, banchawan, senchawan, chawan and matcha jawan. =A0 They would
> include =A0dimensions, a pattern for the egote and weights of clay.
> Could even include bisqued or finished models. =A0 Maybe I can do this
> after setting up in Mpls.

I think someone beat you do it:
http://www.japanpotterytools.com/

=2E.. this site is run by a pair of Japanese women at Sharon Art Studio in =
San=20
=46rancisco. They help support the studio with the proceeds.

=2D-=20
The Fuzzy Chef
San Francisco

Lee Love on wed 7 mar 07


Taylor,

You do learn from repetition. But traditionally, you
measure my size rather than weight using measuring guages called
toombo (dragonfly.) You can make simple toombo using bamboo shish
kabab skewers and bread ties. Make the top of the cone the diameter
you want the base to be. With some experience, you will be able to
see how much cone you need for a given form. If it ain't enough, you
"borrow" more from the cone.

Also, throwing sticks (egote) specially made for the form
help you shape and measure the inside of things like yunomi.
Different ribs are used for bowls and plates, their shapes made for
the shape of the form.

I have been thinking about making little kits for guinomi,
yunomi, banchawan, senchawan, chawan and matcha jawan. They would
include dimensions, a pattern for the egote and weights of clay.
Could even include bisqued or finished models. Maybe I can do this
after setting up in Mpls.

--
Lee in Mashiko, Japan
Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
http://potters.blogspot.com/

"To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts." -
Henry David Thoreau

"Let the beauty we love be what we do." - Rumi

Lee Love on thu 8 mar 07


On 3/8/07, Josh Berkus wrote:

> I think someone beat you do it:

No. I am not interested in being a tool seller. I see no
mention at this site for sizes or weights of the traditional vessels.
An none of these tools would be correct for these vessels. The
Gyubera is for porcelain, marugote are ribs for plates and bowls. The
tsurunokubi is for bottles. For yunomi, you use a egote the shape
of the inside.

I'll put together data on tea ceremony wares too.

Want to have a workbook together before I leave for Minnesota.


--
Lee in Mashiko, Japan
Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
http://potters.blogspot.com/

"To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts." -
Henry David Thoreau

"Let the beauty we love be what we do." - Rumi