Chantay

I had to drag this thread back up. If only to present a bright side. I started classes again. The place I'm taking classes has been teaching them for 50 years. of the 25 class currently offered in clay, I believe most are full. (current online list is inaccurate). My instructor has a collage education. He has work in clay for 40 years. Selling and teaching are his only source of income. His adult advance throwing/hand building classes are always full. Several of the students in my own class have participated in shows in the past year. When I look around the room at class I see people who have enough dedication to make big changes in their lives in order to make clay a part of it. Growing up I was always told that you could never support yourself with art. So I became a nurse. Now I'm back at art again. No matter what happens with the colleges, there will always be people who will do what ever it takes to learn the craft of their choice. With the internet these people will find each other.

Thanks Min, I know how to do the string method, but wanted a program so I could just print the template, much faster. Thanks everyone else.

Hi all, about 2 years ago I was asking about a way to make oval templates to a predetermined size. some one on the forum made a program to do this. I have not been able to find the post about this. Does anyone remember this or know of a free program to create oval templates?

I have been looking into this style of tile also. The only thing I could come up with was using Amaco velvet underglazes, then applying wax over it. I thought if the underglaze wasn't dark enough to add some synthetic colorant. Has anyone else tried this method yet?

I have also been looking into this. I was planning to use Amaco velvet undergalze for the black line area, then going back over with wax before glazing. I was thinking if the underglaze is not dark enough than adding some synthetic colorant. Has anyone tried this method yet. I know it seems time consuming but I havent come up with anything else.

All I ever use is clay and water. I use an old blender to mix. I then put it through a screen. (150?) I have made larger batches using a drill mixer. I practice a lot. Just using a batt. Swirl, swirl, swirl, then wipe off. I found too much epson salt caused the trailing to dry uneven. Make sure what ever your slip trailing on is no drier than leather hard.

Hi all, I am not able to sit at the computer much any more and haven't been on the forum. I bought a Samsung tablet (2014). For some reason it will not let me log in to the forum. I am certain of my password and information. I have this with some other sites also. Does anyone have suggestions? Also, I am having neck surgery this week. Bone spurs and two disks removed. Then three vertebra fused. I'm hoping for a full recovery and to back to throwing in a couple of months. My problems are not related to throwing. I have a degenerative disc/bone disease. I will update periodically on my recovery for those that are faced with the idea of upcoming surgery. I have been able to put it off for a long time by continued exercise. Unfortunately, the Neurosurgeon is predicting I will have some permanent nerve damage. If anyone can help with using the tablet I would really appreciate it.

Rex, This might give similar results in electric with a three hour cool down after 1900F..

Bonfire, Your decorating is super cute.

Grape, I also have health issues.I only do indoor shows in the spring and fall. All local. When I do a show I have a helper to do most of the lifting. They are paid in pottery. Even if you have to hire help and take a loss I would try a couple of shows. The experience of personally selling your work and return in information is priceless.

I started to think of glazing the same way I do throwing, it's a process with a learning curve. For me, I needed to devote as much time to glazing as I did to throwing before I had results I liked.

Mark, My question is do you feel like you have worked harder last year? Is it possible that even this far into the game you have increased your efficiency? New work methods?

Cooking and cleaning. Degenerative disc disease, made worse from standing and bending. I have a whole collection of recipes with only 30 minutes to prep. Sally, Try a firm pillow on your stomach then use a kindle case that props the book up. I've really bad arthritis in my elbow and can't keep it in a bent position.

Yes, apply kiln wash thin. Thicker is not better.

I think most people would be happier if they all had something they were as passionate about as we are about clay? I feel a lack of purpose leads to a lot of unhappiness.

I have found that if I put the kiln wash on too thick it cracks n pops up. If your using a good mix it doesn't need to be to thick. Glaze drips will just pop off.

Thanks Chilly. It was a good read. I was like many people who would flip the kiln on and walk away till it shuts off. Using cones has really improved my glazes.

Chilly, where is this thread you speak of? I can't find it.

Good question. I have several receips that call for calcine material. But, the receipe states the amount, so I follow it, and it works. All of them call for 50/50. Not sure if this helps.

Thanks everyone for the ideas. I think I Knew the answer and was just deluding myself.... Chilly, I have actually been doing this. The temp difference from the top of my kiln to the bottom is only half a cone but it works. It took forever, like a year, for me to figure this out. Why a certain glaze only worked sometimes. I learned to take photos when I empty the kiln and keep the pots in groups as to what shelf they were on in the kiln after the firing. Then carefully study the results. This is how I figured out many of my glase (the letter after y is stuck) results. Now I need to figure out what to do with the four boxes of pottery that is functional, but not the glaze I want. I hate to toss it all. Marci, the issue with your suggestion is that I don't think the glazes I like best work that way. Well see. My favorites are the Alberta Slip glazes. Alberta slip, frit, and Rutile = blue. Alberta slip + frit = honey gold. Any suggestions on variations from here? I did find a recipe that is Alberta slip + frit+ Gert Bort + Dolomite + silica. It is also a type of blue. We'll see. who knows what I will find. I'm still happy as a lark with my last discovery. Never thought I would find a glaze mix I had never seen before.

I think the shock paddles would melt it for you. Don't forget the contact gell.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I just keep thinking there must be a more direct path that I'm failing to see due to a lack of knowledge. In the past year I've made about 600 test tiles. I have cross tested my favorite 6 glazes. The problem I'm having now is glaze A looks best at cone 5. Glaze B is best at cone 6. Glaze C needs a 3 hour cool down. I think I'm going to ditch the cone 5 glazes from the menu. I got super results with the three hour slow cool, but only with some combinations. And it's a three hour cool down, not 1 1/2, or 2. I think things would go faster with a digital controller on my small kiln. As it is I have to fill the big one completely for each firing. Half full the kiln fires different. At this point I can see where college classes would really help. You can't take classes in ceramics dept. at the local University unless you in the ceramics program full time. Christmas show then moving. Guess I will start again in January.

Hum, how are you going to make the suits fit the moths?

Hi all, So with a few shows behind me I'm looking for packing advice. Do you pack by product? Ie: all mugs together, all bowls together, etc... or for those who have more than one color scheme, all blues together, all white, all green, etc.... I do all functional ware. Planning to narrow down to three color schemes. I packed by color. Then when I sold a green mug, I had to dig through the green boxes to find another. Thinking there must be an easier way. I have a new glaze. Almost every person who came in my booth picked it up and commented on how beautiful it was. They would hold it and fondle it. Only one mug sold. It was only $16. I plan to make more of this glaze. But wondering if it is going to sell.

I have seen posted before info about a forum. I think it was International Assc. Of China Painters. It was a wealth of information.