LeeU

I have three I use for handles and spriggs. What else can I do with them? Mine are, like 12x14x3.5. What do you use the taller ones for?

I have several plain totes ranging from 4"-9" tall. The day after throwing if I can't trim right away I put them in there with a lid. Keeps them workable for 1-2 weeks.

I was luck to have gotten some drying cabinets from a pottery business that closed. I knew the people, so the just gave them to me.

They are aprox. 20x34 and about 6 foot tall. I wrapped them with plastic on 3 sides and a thick clear plastic for the door that I can hand roll up. I can adjust the shelves to fit the pottery.

Although they were already built when I got them, I can honestly say they are not hard to make. And much more inexpensive than the wire ones ceramic suppliers s...

LeeU - I think if "mass migration" is a concern, then it is up to each of us to promote and maintain an active, vibrant and respectful community (as has, been our culture).  People come and go for a variety of reasons, and yes there are losses to lament.  However, it is the culture that  holds thing together over time.  There's an incredible amount of talent and knowledge on this forum today, and I'm thankful for the efforts of  the existing and new moderators that help make this a community where that knowledge and ideas can be shared.  

Wow, where have I been?  I had no idea that John was no longer participating here. 

That is unfortunate, especially if it was because of conflict/ disagreement with other posters.

I have seen too many posters leave, for such reasons. 

I have never taken anything, people have said here, personal.  If my views are questioned, I either further explain myself, or rethink my stance.   I am not the authority, that some former and current members are, so I have less to lose in a debate, but I am still always open to a health discussion.  If it turns negative, I just walk away...  That's exactly what I preach to my students, so I have to lead by example right?

Lee: many changes have happened in the last few months. It is more than just John and Bruce leaving us: the whole forum format has changed. Lots of us are still struggling trying to get use to the new layout: myself included. I much preferred the old version, most miss the "at a glance"  ease of use. 

It will take Min and Neil awhile to get use to their new roles: so they are dealing with newness as well. This forum is no different than life, people move in and out of it all the time. We are approaching 30,000 members and perhaps 100 post on any regular basis. Give it some time to adjust from the changes and the disruptions: and it will level out. John and Bruce will certainly be missed.

Congrats!

Nice! Can't wait to see it!

Up on the porch is too close!!!  We occasionally have bears wander down....but it makes the news.  And the wildlife people are very good about getting the word out to not disturb the bears as they will wander back home.   Hopefully, your bear will wander back on the ridge.  You could put the feed on the ground....most of our birds will eat the seed the deer have spilled from the feeders.  

I'll have to put my bear claws clay stamps to good use so I'm not clogging up the board with off-topic stuff! I'll make more biz card holders. There were 3  last nite--very unusual--mom  & 2 cubs--got in all the trash ready for pick up.  We're a single little street at the base of a small mountain, and near a big lake. The landlord called the fish & game guys--I think they encouraged them to go back home using the scent of dogs.  

The bear stories are artistic inspiration.  We now have some fodder for our creative sides.  I have been working on a bear shape for my animal figures. 

Thanks x five.

Yay!!!! Missed all you guys!

Thanks !

Lee, can you tell me how you turned down the commission work?  For instance, what words did you say?  I just got a request from a customer today saying that she wants 3 more mugs like the one she bought from me in December only she wants red hearts and she wants things written on them and ......  I have to be able to nicely turn down some custom work.......

Roberta

I tell them I do not write words or do special orders.

I knew it, I knew it, I knew you would say that, Mark!!!   My husband said, no,  Just tell them no.  

Very nice!

YAY!!

I always learn the most from my mistakes. The stuff that goes right I get so happy I forget what I did right! Glad you learned so much and got good results at the same time.

post some pictures of both successes and failure with explanation if you could.

Great job, Lee!! Love those experiments!

That is also my new mantra.

My former small business ofmany years was called Two Steps Forward (as in...one step back), so I guess some of what I learned from that focus was not to try to move too fast LOL.

Move as your feel comfortable with. And then move again. Or wax on, wax off.

It's shear self-preservation-lack of containment makes me crazy! I even used some masking tape to put labels on shelf edges to keep me "honest"-plus I just plain forget where I get stuff from. Old Lady-great tip-thanks! Appreciate all the comments. Well, I appreciate everything about this site!

It really does look good Lee. You inspired me to rethink my little space. Been measuring and going to rearrange slightly.

jealous!

Lee, I think that carving must be your super power!  Great shape!

Beautiful turtle. Every Wednesday morning I start my day by greeting two very slow and peaceful Asian Brown Tortoises. Isn't the tortoise a good luck symbol?

Great turtle, if you decide you want to sell it in your on-line store you could make a press mold.   Use some paper clay to keep the weight down.    Denice

Happy sales LeeU, I wish you every good success.

I looked at your site, looking good so far, keep up the hard work!

I liked the contrast between the background and the lettering.

Just color me pea green with envy about the slab roller!

Kick starts are good!! Ride it!

You will love having a slab roller!!

OK, the computer says i do not want Termal-lites, i want Thermal lights and only that!    so what is this?

Just a typo.

@oldlady  Thermal-Lite Advanced Formula Nitride-Bonded Silicon Carbide shelves  ---and trust me, if you can afford them, you want them!!!!!

Careful, Raku is addictive...

It's the gateway to other alternative firing methods.

One of the great things about building your own Raku kiln is that you con make pots whenever you want and fire them whenever you want. As you have suggested, I have both ^5 building sessions and Raku building sessions, bisque firing them at the same time, and having the pots available to glaze and fire at any time. Hope you get your pieces made in time for the demo!

My landlord has been wonderful about allowing me to install the electric kiln (closed in back porch) & a studio (was the bedroom) in my trailer, but there is not an inch of space to spare & I'm not permitted to do anything out in the yard.  I did get my pieces done though, & will bisque this week. 

It's a Bailey...if I can't locate the problem I'll give them a call! 

I have had 2 Baileys, dual rollers. Is yours dual rollers?

they have good tech support.

I bought clay a couple of days ago,  I thought I was out.  I looked at the companies web site and it wasn't listed,  freaked me out.   I had tried several clays  for throwing and this one worked the best for me. Turned out they had a new website and the web designer didn't include it.    When I was making space for the clay I found two bags that were covered with mold,  I bought it around Christmas.  Never had clay mold this fast,  using it first.   Denice

I heard from a pro potter that, like bleu cheese, mold in clay is good...

That is what it looks like, it is suppose to throw better.   I remember potters putting beer in when they were mixing clay they thought it would mold faster.   Denice

PT can do amazing things. I used to not be able to put my arms above my shoulders. Now I can put my son on my shoulders. It's worth taking the time to do it right. Best to you.

Just worry about healing and recuperating and taking care of yourself. The pottery will still be there when you are able to give it attention.

Well that's no fun. I hope you will spinning your wheel again soon.

Get with admin.

LeeU, are you trying to use your new logo as your avatar? If so, then I think your image is too large at 2300 pixels wide. Try uploading a smaller version. It only needs to be about 300 pixels wide.

Still failed ...contacted an administrator.

Excellent!

good omen for your progressive firing!!!

great score!

wooo

We're waiting and waiting for pictures!

That's cool.

Glad your health is back- and your doing what you love.

happy for you!

oooh fun! I got myself a very basic slab roller too recently. Treat trays sound nice!

Why are you wedging lots of clay? Reclaim?

I know just how you feel. I have about 30 lbs to do myself.

if your clay is coming in a box , be sure to drop it into the floor a few times on each side to soften it up. Don't wedge hard clay.

Yay!! :)

wonderful!! Pictures?

sic em kid!

I don't see them!?

That will teach me to never again say I "just" posted when I actually hadn't gotten to it and was ass-backwards!! LOL

There they are. Ohhh ahhh. Very nice work.

Your glossy surfaces look great! Beautiful outsides with the natural clay. I am a big fan of that.