elaine clapper

I am going to try putting waterproof bandaides on the top knuckles of my throwing hand. We will see if that works. That for the commiseration, misery does love company!

Does anyone get bumps, calluses or blisters on the knuckle of throwing hand? I guess I must drag my knuckle on the bat as I am centering. Never noticed it hurting. I have been throwing for 20 years, but this has only been happening in the last year. Anyone have any ideas to treat to prevent this? Maybe just getting old? I am 66, but I heard the 60's are the new 40's. Stopping my work on the wheel is not going to happen.

"is that the domed lid shrinks MORE because it shrinks in a dome shape, whereas the casserole only shrinks in one direction." Thanks liambesaw , I have always been disappointed that my domed teapot lids do not fit tighter. Now I know why and can make adjustments.

Liambesaw, I am curious... if I glaze fire a piece at cone 6 and then refire at cone 04 (my bisque firing), will the surface still be good for dinnerware?

thanks all

Yesterday my husband and I successfully replaced all the elements in my Skutt KM-1027 kiln. Unfortunately we chipped some of the firebrick as the old elements were brittle and tough to remove. Photos attached. Do I need to repair those chips? if so what do you use to repair (kiln cement? what type?). I saved the chips that came out. Thank for your help.

If it is a Skutt kiln, they have great tutorials on their website. You also have to have the correct wiring for your kiln. Hopefully you checked with your school maintanence people before getting the kiln. If not, the voltage amp info should be listed on the outside of the kiln. Are there other art teachers in the area that might be able to help you? good luck

When I was teaching high school I was just always dusty, it was a given. But I did have a student who kept a set of mechanics overalls he put on over his clothes when it was his day on the wheel. That was the best overall solution.

I would be interested in seeing ideas on teapots, fuctional and decorative.

When i was whining about my poor golf game for lack of better eye hand coordination, my husband asked "How can you throw pots on the wheel and have poor eye hand coordination?" I explained to him that I did not really use my eyes much when throwing, it is all body and hands with me. Maybe I will try golf with my eyes closed ??

I fire cone 5 with and electric kiln, leave all the plugs in and wait until the kiln is room temperature. i put too much time into my pieces to ruin the glaze just because of my impatience. When I was teaching, the kids who procrastinated and did not get their work in on schedule where up against grade deadlines. I would warn them if I opened the kiln early they risked fine cracks in the glaze. The times that I gave in and unloaded at 120 degrees almost ended with the "pings" of cracking glaze.

Thanks for the ideas. I ended up firing at cone 022 ( I think that is close to 1000 degrees). Since I had 10 pieces it was the fastest and cleanest solution. worked fine

I am working with Laguna B mix stoneware, bisque firing at cone 04 and glaze firing at cone 5. I use Columbus Clay wax resist on the bottoms of each piece and often in resist design between layers of glaze. Sometimes I will get wax resist on an unintended area of bisque ware and want to remove it. I ususally just put that piece back in the kiln with my next bisque firing at cone 04 and the wax burns off. Any other suggestions to remove the unwanted wax? At what temperature does the wax burn off? If I had several pieces could I fire them at cone 022? or even lower? I ask because, (in a br

I use Potter's choice glazes a lot and been very happy with the results. I apply by dipping and layering. If you brush the glaze and and don't get enough coats on that could be the cause of the problem. I have not used Palladium but have used Ancient Jasper and Deep Red with great results.