Tyler G

I have a student making a fountain in the style of what you might see in a town park but miniature: Fountain style I am looking for a way to hide the cord and we have a few Ideas involving silicone sealant and a hole into the foot, with the cord exiting a small notch in the foot then going to the wall. I said I would ask if any of you had any tricks that might work for a design that hides the cord without the silicone sealant. Thanks! Tyler

You're right Babs, it was always the plan to test without kids first. Firing one went very well. Thanks for all your support. Neil - In reading your last post you talk about the person pulling pots being really suited up. To me it seems more dangerous to be the person opening and closing the can, therefore I would want them at least as bundled. In discussing possible future firings with kids involved the can lid is actually the spot I would be most nervous about a student operating. Thoughts on that anyone?

Thanks again for all the great info, what a valuable resource you all are. John I still want to come by NHIA at some point and meet you and see the studio. Question: If I'm using Laguna Raku clay, could I fire a particular piece to cone 5/6 with regular cone 5/6 glazes instead of Raku firing it? Also, what temp do you guys bisque to for Raku?

Can you help me understand this a bit better. Are you saying that instead of using a lid on a trashcan your flipping the can upside down onto a bed of sand? How do you get the combustables in? I'm also very interested in the relatively smokeless way. Are there any good resources or videos you guys would recommend for raku practices? I have done it many times but never in a way that sounds quite like either you or John are talking. Steven's Branfman's work is beautiful, btw.

What kind of respirator? A two cambered mask? Could you post a picture or link to the type you mean? Thanks to John, Tyler and Neil as well, I will stock up on safety stuff. Can you give info on where to purchase some of this protective gear? Also John, what do you typically do for the head coverings?

Got the Ward Burner. Got the kiln ready to go. Location in middle of quad, with hose and extinguisher on hand. Stakes and ribbon to mark the boundary. Questions: I fired with a group once and the nervous/safe/smart people wore this fancy silver jacket thing. Is that something I should get? I fired with some college students recently and honestly I trust my advanced ceramics class students more than I would some of those college folks and I am considering letting students pull pots if given the right protection. It's a private school and it's the week after parents weekend so I can talk to the parents, many of whom I know. I do have art dept colleagues who can help pull pots and whatnot but it seems to me that the job of being in charge of the trash can is just as dangerous if not more dangerous. Do you guys where any type of glasses and mask? Im looking to buy the last safety equipment stuff ASAP and fire in 2 weeks.

I've started trying these out but I am unfamiliar with using them so I want to make sure I am making them proper. Any thoughts or advice appreciated, especially that may relate to... Glazed or unglazed moat? Would any food safe glaze be fine?

http://www.bigceramicstore.com/olympic-18-raku-kiln.html Does anyone have thoughts on a kiln such as this? Olympic 18 Raku Kiln

Thank you for all the great advice!

Thanks for all the advice (and a couple good laughs!) I will look into the Ward Burner. Anyone have rcommendations on gloves and/or tongs for pulling pots?

Thanks Neil. The firing will take place outside but the kiln will be stored inside when not in use. I appreciate your safety concerns and they are totally valid, that does mean a burner would be better than a weed burner for certain, I will look into Ward Burner.

I have an old electric kiln, standard classroom size (8-10 cubit feet?), that I am planning to convert to a raku kiln. I have a spot behind a large brick wall next to the building and the maintenance dept approved the spot and said they have pavers they can put down beneath the kiln. I am looking for advice on the best place to find plans for building the kiln. In the past I used a very simple kiln with a hole cut out and a burner placed next to it that was attached to a gas grill style propane tank. I was planning to do something similar but I am open to options. I am not sure what type of burner is best or where to purchase, and have heard of some using a weed burner. Any advice or resources would be appreciated as I am to compile a detailed list of what I need to buy for the project.

I will be sure to, thanks John!

No, I'm at PSU since I have my undergrad there it makes the MAT a 5th year option (albeit a few years after my BFA) I met Chris once, and I have been to the NHIA once. I would be intersted in learning more about the low res program there and will look into it again (I briefly looked at that section of the site just now). Certainly something to consider. Can you tell me about the kilns at NHIA?

I found a post from a few years ago about this, but, I am wondering if people would be willing to share their thoughts on a low residency ceramics program that might work for me. I teach full time at a boarding school in New Hampshire. I have a BFA in ceramics. I am currently working on an MAT in art ed. I would be considering pursuing the MFA in two years after completion of the MAT. Rather than pose a specific question I am open to discussion or advice, specific recommendations are fine as well. Thanks!

I found a small ziplock bag of each of these. I don't really intend to make functional ware, but I do realize that these chemicals are hazardous in their powdered form as well. I would like to make a slip or add them to a base glaze or something, but was not sure where to start with these...any advice? Thanks, Tyler

I should have mentioned previously that the submission guidelines specifically state that they cannot respond to email or phone inquiries regarding the position or application. I thought that seemed strange as similar opportunities have specifically listed a contact email for other questions. I'm hesitant to send an email with twenty attachments but given the circumstances it may be my best option.

Interesting insight Colby, which relates to my follow up question for Steven. If I simply attach the images would I be doing them individually, therefore having twenty attachments? Thank you both for the feedback.

What format or platform should be used for submitting a digital portfolio of twenty images when no format or platform is specified? The submission is for a secondary school position. "Interested candidates are asked to send a cover letter, resume, and digital portfolio of twenty images to: JohnDoe@Boardingschool.com" I am debating using a web service such as squarespace or Crevado, or creating a powerpoint to save as a PDF file. Any advice or other suggestions are appreciated.

I recently received an e-mail from a friend I made at a dinner party regarding ceramic cats. I am hoping someone here may be able to offer insight as to the origin of these cats, who made them and from what materials etc. Additionally if there were a way she could find them for sale. An excerpt of the email follows, she and I would be grateful if anyone can shed some light on the subject. My sister and I independently (meaning we were not aware that we were both looking, until recently) have been searching for an exterior house decoration that we recall from our childhood. We would like to buy some cat (ceramics?) that people used to adorn their house with in the 1960's. They are quite kitschy on par with gnomes and pink flamingos. But, as child I just loved seeing those corny cat figures stuck on the sides of houses! Ask your folks if they remember them. I live in a 1950's ranch so they would look right at home. We have looked on ebay, I looked at ceramic greenware and on internet in general & have come up with nothing. The closest thing I have found is this: from the UK. http://catsinyork.com/cat-directory/ The ones that are "climbing" are similar to what we are looking for. Have you seen any like it? Can you imagine how they could be made to be sturdy enough to stay outdoors in the elements (except maybe in winter?)

yeah, crackle slips, im sure u can find recipes online there are also crackle glazes

cool history on steatite, im gonna that out more I could fire lower then cone 6, but not higher I just would think testing stuff at a temperature that I wont be firing other work to would be inefficient so cone 6 would be ideal thanks for the link, synthetic gems could be pretty cool to experiment with but arent probably my style

look into getting some mason stains to color the slip, you can also use colorants like red iron oxide, cobalt, etc. instead, but generally 5-10% mason stain added to the white slip gives pretty reliable color and there are tons of colors to choose from. Then clear glaze if u want gloss finish