[Making Donut Form for Totem]

18 minutes ago, Min said:

IMHO if you already have  a moderate level of throwing skill  I think it would be much easier to throw than handbuild. If you do try and throw one keep your walls from getting too thin at the top where they will be curved into each other.

I'll look again, but it looked complicated. I'm an ok throw-er, but I am not that skilled!

Thank you,

Nancy

[Making Donut Form for Totem]

6 hours ago, Callie Beller Diesel said:

You could do it a couple of ways. Start with a flexible form like a pool noodle and form it into a circle. Drape clay over this to create 2 circular pieces that you can connect into a hollow shape. Think about how you cut a bagel in half, but instead of cutting it apart, you’re attaching the pieces at a firm leather hard stage. 

Another approach would be if you have an extruder and have a die that will create a hollow tube. Extrude your tube longer than you’d want the circumference of your doughnut to be. Seal the ends, trapping air inside. Curve the tube into a circular shape, and allow to stiffen enough that the tube won’t collapse when opened. Cut the ends on a diagonal to give you more attaching surface, and slip and score away. 

You could also try dowel rolling a tube, but that gets a lot tricker the bigger the piece is.

Thank you!! I think the pool noodle would be the right size. I have an extruder but I don't think the hollow die I have it big enough.

I appreciate your help!

Nancy

[Making Donut Form for Totem]

Hello!

I am looking to make a totem and I looked online on how to make a donut shape for the totem. I don't want to throw one, as those looked complicated and finicky and I like to handbuild more anyway. Does anyone know how to make a donut shape? I'm trying to figure out if I have to drape it and what to use for that.

If anyone would share, I would be very grateful. 

Thank you,

Nancy

[Beginning wheel throwing projects]

On 5/17/2020 at 7:02 PM, Pres said:

Nancy, Maybe this will help, quick sketch of  hand positions, my kiln is firing today, so did it inside. hope this helps.

I  usually hold a sponge in my rt hand so that the water will drip down the forearm as I hold in place.

best,

Pres

Thank you for doing this!!! I understand now!!! 

Much appreciated,

Nancy

[Beginning wheel throwing projects]

On 5/15/2020 at 9:15 AM, Pres said:

Nancy, when throwing larger pieces my arms are usually part of my technique, I often will use a fist on the top of a 10# piece of clay, with the forearm up the side, holding that side of the clay in place as my left hand is pushing into the solid arm and fist, because of the arm and fist the clay cannot go anywhere, so it has to become centered. It is brute force, but can be done slowly with more water and patience. I have a tendency to muscle the clay into center, but part of that is my wedging also as I wedge cone shaped, and put the clay on the wheel with the cone centered on the wheel head. Then I slap the clay into partial center while turning slowly then center as mentioned above. Try it.

 

best,

Pres

Hi,

I tried this, but don't think I"m understanding what you mean when you say you have "the forearm up the side," while your fist is on top. I get what the left hand is doing, but not the right arm and hand. Can you explain a different way? 

Thanks,

nancy

[QotW: What are your beliefs about the time to reopen the economy and returning to Summer craft shows?]

14 hours ago, Roberta12 said:

One of our large events, a hot air balloon festival, was just cancelled.  It is held in August.  I had organized local  potters to make mugs for the pilots.  Looks like we can get a jump on 2021.   As my sourdough bread baking skills are being honed and I have more time for bird identification,  (maybe I will make another bird bath?)  I just keep wondering what the Holiday sales season will look like.   We will know when we get there, I guess!  

Roberta

I think as long as 80% of the country is still working or getting unemployment, sales will be up - at least online. My views on etsy are way up over last year and my sales skyrocketed over last year, but I wasn't selling much last year cause I was working again full time. People are home, can't go shopping, and are bored to tears. Thus, they shop. 

I think Christmas shopping will be good, but online. I think an online presence, even if only Instagram, is vital right now.

[Beginning wheel throwing projects]

13 hours ago, Pres said:

Nancy, when throwing larger pieces my arms are usually part of my technique, I often will use a fist on the top of a 10# piece of clay, with the forearm up the side, holding that side of the clay in place as my left hand is pushing into the solid arm and fist, because of the arm and fist the clay cannot go anywhere, so it has to become centered. It is brute force, but can be done slowly with more water and patience. I have a tendency to muscle the clay into center, but part of that is my wedging also as I wedge cone shaped, and put the clay on the wheel with the cone centered on the wheel head. Then I slap the clay into partial center while turning slowly then center as mentioned above. Try it.

 

best,

Pres

Thank you, Pres. I will try it tomorrow!! 

[Beginning wheel throwing projects]

5 hours ago, Hulk said:

Long limbs, eye that, in the 99th percentile, reach for height - fun shopping for long sleeve shirts that fit at the wrist, neck, and body ...on t'other hand, reaching the top shelf, painting walls, etc., heh.

Often overlooked: a) clay shifting on the wheelhead/bat, where just a smidge of movement is all it takes to "throw" off your center. b) shearing - apply too much pressure, too soon, where the separation/shear that results will continue to influence that pot, throughout - start over. c) poorly prepared, where a thick or thin bit of clay, bubble, crumb - any inconsistency - will disrupt the flow of the clay. d) poorly prepared, where thorough wedging is continued in the several "conings" (as DH mentioned, above) on the wheel, continued, where a clockwise thrower tips up the rams head to the right, eh? Try it. e) poorly thrown base, as the opening and working of the base/bottom is a continuation of the preparation to throw a vessel - easy to impart a shear at this step. f) direction, where one may be better suited for one over the other; whilst I can (sort of) throw counter clockwise, t'other is soo much easier for me. There may be a right/left handedness to it, meh, I'm right handed. f) too wet/dry, where the patience and persistence required to work stiff clay ...it's difficult! ...and squishy clay doesn't provide much feedback, and requires quick work. If the clay is a smidge too damp to start with, it will be just right once thoroughly wedged - wedging removed some moisture, eh?

Learning (wouldn't say learned) all that th' hard way.

Having seen eighty five pound eighty five year old potter throw large pots without straining (except, perhaps, lifting the clay to and from the wheel head!), not sure much strength is required?

HI,

I agree that it isn't strength, cause I'm strong and I've seen tiny women throw 25 pounds!! It it my technique. 

I read your thoughts several times and I think I am getting what you are saying. I am going to have to play some more this weekend when I have time. 

Thank you!

Nancy

[Beginning wheel throwing projects]

7 hours ago, dhPotter said:

@nancylee For amounts of clay you are talking about, I pat the clay, as the wheel slowly turns, into a semi-centered mound. Then I place both hands on the opposite side of the mound and as I increase the speed of he wheel, pull the mound towards my body. This gets the mound closer to centered, but I don't worry about perfect at this time. Now I cone the clay 3 times, after each cone try to place your hands in your centering position and hold till the mound gets closer to centered. By the 3rd cone everything should be aligned and centered.

I had read where Marcia Selsor likes to have the chair she sits in be positioned so when she looks down at the wheel she is looking about 1 inch beyond the center of the wheel. This has helped greatly. Try to lay your weight on the mound with your shoulders well over the mound. I usually end up with clay on my chest from hugging the mound.

Thanks, I never heard or saw that technique!! I am going to try it tonight!! 

[Beginning wheel throwing projects]

I'm making pottery for over 9 years and I still can't center well. Anything over 4 or 5 pounds and I'm screwed. I've had excellent teachers show me, I've watched hundreds of videos, practiced hundreds and hundreds of hours and still can't do it. One reason I started handbuilding more. 

I wonder if body shape has anything to do with it. I'm very strong, should be able to do this, but I am also very short-waisted and have long limbs. Wonder if that affects it?? Probably a ludicrous thought, but has crossed my mind so I thought I'd ask.

Nancy

[QotW: What do your hands look like?]

On 7/3/2018 at 2:38 PM, GEP said:

Speaking of hands, has anyone else here ever had to be fingerprinted? I had to give fingerprints when I was hired to teach at a community center. The person doing it had a terrible time getting prints from my worn down fingertips. I have a potter friend who has a high security job. Her company is trying to install electronic fingerprint readers in their office, and she’s having a tough time using them.

Just think of the crimes we potters could get away with. 

I just had to get fingerprinted and they had a tough time getting prints! I’ve been fingerprinted before and that never happened. I’ve been throwing a lot more this year!

nancy

[Beginning wheel throwing projects]

On 11/15/2017 at 10:22 AM, Pres said:

Baking apples. . . Tablespoon of water, teaspoon of butter, spices-I use cinnamon and ginger, sweetener(sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey), as a diabetic I use none, others(nuts, granola, etc) Liquor(?) 

 

Apple baked 7 1/2 minutes in microwave oven. 40 minutes will work in a regular oven. Great Winter desert.

Oh! An apple baker is like a ring holder, but with taller sides! Now I want a baked apple!