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elaine clapper

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About elaine clapper

  • Birthday 02/22/1954

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  • Website URL
    http://elaineclapperceramics.com

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  • Location
    BELLVILLE, OHIO
  • Interests
    clay, nature, perennial gardening, dogs, photoshop, working out

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  1. The gift shop/gallery brick and mortar store I where have sold my functional pottery for the past 10 years is no longer an option. I have participated in one or two juried art festivals a year (minus the COVID years). The art festivals are profitable but a lot of work. Opening an online store is something I am considering. As a retired art teacher, I sell my pottery as a "hobby with income", so I am not looking for high volume. I sell my pottery mostly because I truly enjoy working on the potter's wheel. If I can recover my costs and create a healthy vacation fund I am happy. I would appreciate opinions on Etsy vs Shopify, or any other online options.
  2. I have used Laguna B mix for years. I am comfortable with it. This is what I used when I was teaching at the high school level for plus 20 years. It is available close to me at Columbus Clay in Ohio. I like the forgiveness with the smooth texture in cleaning up leatherhard ware. I like the ease of carving into leatherhard forms without grit getting in my way. But, too often I throw heavy when it comes to anything larger than 10 inches. The thickness feels ok when I am throwing, but as it dries I realize it is thicker than I want. So I do a lot of trimming on larger pieces. I am thinking if I had a clay body with just a little grog I could throw larger pieces more easily. Looking for a recommendation of a clay available in Ohio with a small amount of grog.
  3. Thanks for your input. I think I will just put pieces on a back shelf for now. Then I might try the "rough look" that Babs suggested. For now I will hustle and try to throw some new pieces. If I am lucky I can take new stuff out of the kiln the day of the show.
  4. Obviously my mind was elsewhere! I have a show coming up, on a deadline.... and I accidentally fire my bisque load at cone 5. I use Laguna Bmix clay and dip my glaze, layering w Amaco Potter's choice. I (when my brain is working) bisque fire at cone 04 and glaze fire cone 5 with a 5 minute hold. Right now I am firing a test load w a few small pieces at cone 5 to see if the glaze will hold. My confidence in that working is low. Waiting for the kiln to cool a little more before I open it. My fear is that the cone 5 bisque is no longer porous enough to hold the glaze. Unless I am unbelievably lucky does anyone have any ideas? or does that whole load get trashed? bummed
  5. As a retired art teacher I totally agree with Pres and the others about applying chemistry and physics. I always thought the critical thinking involved in ceramics, was one of the key educational advantages. There are so many "MacGyver" moments in working with clay. Although high school kids would not remember the original tv character Macgyver. He could figure out a way to invent just about anything with chewing gum, a paper clip and lots of imagination. What is your goal with the clay? What do you have to work with? What are the properties of clay? What are the properties of physics? .... ok figure out a solution to create a three dimensional ceramic object, that will support itself, survive drying and firing, and be aesthetically pleasing. I was very fortunate to have an administration that was supportive of the arts. If you do not have that, learn to speak "educator language". Pay attention to the key phrases in your english, math and science curriculums. I know critical thinking was always a term that helped me promote the value of ceramics to non art educators. that was very supportive of the arts
  6. Prices have increased on clay and glaze. The small gallery I where I sell my work just informed me they are increasing their cut by 30%. I know their rent and utilities have gone up too. I my first response is to raise my prices 30% . My dilemma is that might be over pricing for the customers in this area. I have been selling mugs at $28 each. Not sure if they will sell for $36? What are others doing to combat increasing costs?
  7. I just sign my name with underglaze on the bisque ware before wax the bottoms.
  8. Thank you , both the Saran Wrap and drapery fabric are good ideas. What about drying? I always dry my wheel work upside down. I am thinking with the slump mold I should keep it right side up.
  9. Trying something new... I have always worked on the wheel and not done much with slabs or molds. Recently, I purchased a 10"x5" hydrostone butler tray slump mold. I am thinking of texture design work on the inside flat surface of the tray. My plan is to roll out the clay on cloth, put the mold on top, flip it, let the clay sink into the mold, pull off the cloth, do my design work, let it dry slowly until I can flip it out of the mold. Am I on the right track? I would appreciate any helpful hints...
  10. Thanks for the comments. I bisque at 04 and glaze fire at cone 5 holding for 5 minutes. I will try keeping the rim a little thicker. I pull my handles and let then dry for about an hour before attaching to the pot. Probably my biggest problem was not keep the lid in place while attaching the spout and handle. Here are some examples of my teapots.
  11. Teapots are one of my favorite ceramic forms. I love to make them, but they can be challenging. I prefer working on the wheel using Laguna Bmix clay. Making the body, the handle and the spout are no problem for me . One challenge I have is a lid that really fits well. I generally make a dome lid with a flange on the bottom. The lid seems to fit fine when the pot and lid are both constructed. Often there are warping problems with the opening of the pot warping, which I assume is the weight of the handle and spout or the manner in which I attach those. Also looking for ideas on favorite tools to punch holes in the pot before attaching the spout.I would appreciate any other helpful hints from fellow teapot makers.
  12. Oh my, how I wish I had paid more attention to math and chemistry when I was in high school!
  13. When I was teaching ceramics at the high school level..... We lined 5 gallon buckets with old pillow cases to store the clay to be reclaimed. When ready to dry, we just pulled out the pillow case, tied a knot at the top and set it outside to drain. If the outside weather was too wet or too cold we put the pillow cases in our utility sink which had a clay trap. When ready to wedge, we just opened the pillow case on the wedging boards. I required X number of studio maintenance from each student each grading period. Reclaiming clay is little more time consuming in my own studio without the help of all those teenagers!
  14. I was looking for a new clay trap solution. I just ordered a Gleco trap. Thanks Neilestrick for the suggestion!
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