clay lover Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Rebby, I'm interested in the 'shellac' you mentioned. My nails are breaking down into the quick,painful. Would a gel job, even thought the nail is hardly there, help hold things together? I haven't heard of shellac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattial Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Clay lover I love my gel nails',,,,,,,I've tried shellac and it also strengthens your nails. It's just a matter of preference Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebekah Krieger Posted December 3, 2013 Report Share Posted December 3, 2013 Clay Lover : Yes- Shellac is basically gel nail color. Some like gel nails (tips added) but I just like the shellac on my natural nail. ( for the men, a clear coat might be beneficial) It's a thick protective layer, the clay doesn't sit on the nail and dry it out. My issue now is just remembering to use lotion on my hands/cuticles too. I used to keep this honey lotion in my purse called "mor" (it was pricy, but it smelled amazing and had a rich hydration) I need another tube. Shellac lasts about 2-3 weeks. I pay $25 at my local nail salon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clay lover Posted December 3, 2013 Report Share Posted December 3, 2013 Can you throw with the gell set on and not have the clay grind the gel off? Nail polish, no matter what kind, just disappears. I found pure African Shea butter at the market in Charleston, SC. It's the best thing ever for potter's hands and nails. pricy, but a bit goes a LONG way and lasts while throwing. If you're interested, PM me, they don't have a web site, but the box has a phone # on it. The company is 'Heaven Scent', odd, since it is not scented at all, no added ingredients. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebekah Krieger Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 No- the clay does not grind off the shellac. Regular nail polish will not last though lol. I actually have a bunch of raw shea butter that I planned to make soaps out of. Thanks for the reminder. I also have some coco butter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 I only teach thumb opening to kids with very small hands, because they seem to be more stable. Normally I don't teach it because it is a technique that is limited to smaller pots. Once you work bigger your thumbs just aren't long enough to reach to the bottom. So I teach opening with fingers. I have my students stick out their preferred index finger (usually right hand), then lay their other index finger and thumb on top. Then they rest their elbows on their legs or on the edge of the splash pan. So the hands are locked together and the arms are locked to something, too. It's a very solid position. I also recommend they open a steep 'V' shaped hole. It' keeps them on center better than going down perfectly vertically, and it allows them to see their finger tip as they go down, making it easier to judge the depth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 I also recommend they open a steep 'V' shaped hole. It' keeps them on center better than going down perfectly vertically, and it allows them to see their finger tip as they go down, making it easier to judge the depth. Key! best, ..................john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted December 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 One of the reasons an elbow works well on larger pieces of clay. It naturally opens in a deep V, and compresses the bottom at the rounded boney part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 One of the reasons an elbow works well on larger pieces of clay. It naturally opens in a deep V, and compresses the bottom at the rounded boney part. Never used my elbow... have to try it sometime. Thanks. On biggger stuff (25-50 lbs.) I use the "punch opening" technique. beats the heck out of trying to center that much clayy the US "traditional" way. No water is involved at all until you already have a large hollow form open. best, ................john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted December 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 I use the fist/punch method on larger pieces also-had to teach myself how. When using the elbow of rt arm, I hold the rt wrist with the lft hand to help with stabalize, lots of water as the elbow soaks it up. Like with the punch method don't worry about the outside getting off center it all works out in the end. I can not take credit for innovating on this as I saw an old video by someone using this elbow technique. I have even seen someone open up with a knee, but always thought that was extreme-like throwing with your feet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biglou13 Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 I'm surprised no one here has talked about tools. Best tools you have.... your hands. And you don't have to pick them up. best, .............john I'm hand guy. But but was referring to the strong arm. A wooden attachment to wheel that helps center and open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 This sounded like it was going to be a therapy session. I use my left three center fingers to open up.The center finger is bent a little to be at the same depth as the other two. I go down, across the diameter and curl under the inner wall in order to have something to pull up. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 This sounded like it was going to be a therapy session. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted December 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 Poor semantics I suppose Marcia, I 'll try to think of a better title next time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 This sounded like it was going to be a therapy session. I use my left three center fingers to open up.The center finger is bent a little to be at the same depth as the other two. I go down, across the diameter and curl under the inner wall in order to have something to pull up. Marcia Still working on changing a few things in my life, just how many fingers do you have on your left hand, Marcia? With your method, which I am learning to use for bigger pots, I seem to be missing a finger, does this come with practise, or just a raku oddity? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarrellVanDrooly Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 For small forms: I use my middle finger to push down and compress. For medium forms: I use my four fingers to open For small to medium bowls: I use the heel of my hand For large forms" elbow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginny C Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Celia! Are you really brutish to those poor souls? And, Wyndham, can you explain what this means? "On larger forms I ball a fist cover with left hand ..." I'm working on core body strength, so I challenge myself to step into my "undercrackers" and jeans while standing on one foot at a time. Slightly dangerous, at the point where one leg is trapped, so if I'm found unconscious on the bathroom floor that will probably be why! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celia UK Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 OldLady and Ginny C - 'Brutish Red Cross' ha ha! - just spotted my own typo and had a giggle. Must share my mistake with some of the other volunteers. I'm really very gentle with my patients! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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