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LeeU

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  1. Like
    LeeU got a reaction from Hulk in QotW: What are your plans for passing it on when you pass on?   
    I have a fully functioning home studio and would like to "pass on" a lot of it now! But: (1) I'm emotionally obstructed-just can't do the sorting/labeling/organizing/marketing , even calling on helpers is just too much right now, and; (2) I have too much $ invested to just give it away (plus need some money soon for a pending family situation). So--maybe I'll get lucky and pass on before I fret too much over the current state of affairs LOL.
    If that should be the case, I have dumped it, in my Will, in a friend's lap. He's instructed to either give it all to the NH Potter's Guild (they'd have to take everything, no cherry picking--if they want my L&L 23EZ & nice Brent wheel,  the tools, etc. they gotta take all the containers of dried clay trimmings & dried  glazes too) or he may sell everything  and keep the proceeds.  NH colleges/university have suffered the same down-turn for ceramics departments and even just scattered courses as other states have, so donating to a school is a non-starter. 
  2. Like
    LeeU got a reaction from Rae Reich in QotW: What are your plans for passing it on when you pass on?   
    I have a fully functioning home studio and would like to "pass on" a lot of it now! But: (1) I'm emotionally obstructed-just can't do the sorting/labeling/organizing/marketing , even calling on helpers is just too much right now, and; (2) I have too much $ invested to just give it away (plus need some money soon for a pending family situation). So--maybe I'll get lucky and pass on before I fret too much over the current state of affairs LOL.
    If that should be the case, I have dumped it, in my Will, in a friend's lap. He's instructed to either give it all to the NH Potter's Guild (they'd have to take everything, no cherry picking--if they want my L&L 23EZ & nice Brent wheel,  the tools, etc. they gotta take all the containers of dried clay trimmings & dried  glazes too) or he may sell everything  and keep the proceeds.  NH colleges/university have suffered the same down-turn for ceramics departments and even just scattered courses as other states have, so donating to a school is a non-starter. 
  3. Like
    LeeU reacted to Rae Reich in QotW: What are your plans for passing it on when you pass on?   
    I’m not too worried about “the youth,” @Pres. I saw a young potter on the Great Canadian Throwdown describe the coil-building technique as “like a 3D printer.” .
    Clay adapts to people and our needs.
    I’m starting to look for inheritors for my stuff. There are also our collections of significant (to us) pots - I’ve begun to redistribute some.
     
     
  4. Like
    LeeU reacted to neilestrick in Im desperate   
    What have you cleaned with this? Your floors? Your walls? I'm thoroughly confused about this. Sounds to me like you have a sewer gas leak. 
  5. Like
    LeeU reacted to Denice in Im desperate   
    You may not have the right foundation for your clay soil,  a pier and beam foundation is recommended for some types of clay.   Heaving of the clay can cause leaks and cracks in your foundation creating wood rot and mold in the frame of the house.   My house in built on clay soil and I am having cracking in my garage wall because of a drought the last few year.  I  don't have any odor's or moldy wood smell in my house.   Denice
  6. Like
    LeeU reacted to Katie S in Bisque Firing Porcelain - What Cone?   
    Oh the artist is well aware, I wouldn’t do anything without consulting her first. 
  7. Like
    LeeU got a reaction from Roberta12 in Bisque Firing Porcelain - What Cone?   
    No--nope--not  chance--not worth it. Taking such high risk with any kiln (and especially someone else's with other people's stuff it) is just plain looking for trouble.
  8. Like
    LeeU got a reaction from Pres in QotW: What surprise have you found in your clay, either fresh or recycled?   
    I am here to support the always interesting, always informative, always fun QotW and it's master Host.  As for surprizes in my clay---never, nada, nothin'.  Just here for support. 
  9. Like
    LeeU got a reaction from Rae Reich in QotW: What surprise have you found in your clay, either fresh or recycled?   
    I am here to support the always interesting, always informative, always fun QotW and it's master Host.  As for surprizes in my clay---never, nada, nothin'.  Just here for support. 
  10. Like
    LeeU got a reaction from Rae Reich in Bisque Firing Porcelain - What Cone?   
    No--nope--not  chance--not worth it. Taking such high risk with any kiln (and especially someone else's with other people's stuff it) is just plain looking for trouble.
  11. Like
    LeeU reacted to JohnnyK in Spraying glaze with iron spangles   
    Since it is difficult to keep the iron particles in suspension, maybe it would be better to spray the glaze without the iron and then sprinkle the iron particles with a salt shaker onto your pot while the glaze is still wet...
  12. Like
    LeeU got a reaction from Kelly in AK in QotW: What special tool that you work with would your really hate to lose?   
    gotta say--envy, envy--that's gorgeous! must be very satisfying to use
  13. Like
    LeeU reacted to Mark C. in What’s on your workbench?   
    I threw my first  pots yesterday after a 8. week break. I had a tarsal tunnel surgery on right foot and out of cast now and in a boot for a month. I got off crutches  and knee scooter about 4 days ago and am taking baby steps towards walking again. Going to make some small stuff this am as well. Slowly getting back to it. Lots of PT and doing my PT 3 times a day then ICE and infrared light. Compression sleeve 99% on time as well . Wound is about 5 inchs long and coming along nicely. This surgery was a real setback for 8 weeks.
    I have a large order to fill this spring and am just starting to get to it. I will be driving my self again within a day-ya hoo
    PS tarsel tunnel is just like carpel tunnel on wrist only on the foot. Both by feet have it. I shosse the worst right foot to do this year -if it gets better in 3-6 months I will conside the other one. Right now  that sound really like a bad idea but once I;m healed up and if it works then I will think more about it on other foot.Surgery was a 4 hour trip away one way. Specialized doctor for this type of surgery of course.
  14. Like
    LeeU reacted to Bill Kielb in Plastic clay reclaim buckets pulling iron out of clay   
    Tannins (fermented organics) for well water quite often assumed as Iron. Common test often included in well water test kits.
  15. Like
    LeeU reacted to Kelly in AK in QotW: What special tool that you work with would your really hate to lose?   
    This mallet. I make most of my tools, but this one was a long labor of love. Sculpted to fit my hand from a beetle killed spruce and a bone I found.
     I use it often, to pound out slabs before I roll them. 

  16. Like
    LeeU got a reaction from Pres in QotW: What special tool that you work with would your really hate to lose?   
    I didn't have my own tools, other than the barest of the absolute basics, when I was getting into ceramics. I was on welfare, a Pell grant for art school, raising a child by myself, and, well duh, never had any money. My favorite tools were a few gismos I made from  1/2 to an inch & a half-thick live branches from some southern tree-like magnolia or crepe myrtle. I was into texture & sculptural curves (still am) so I crafted them to multi-task & to make interesting surfaces. They served like a potter's thumb, a throwing stick, and other variations  recognizable standard tools. Stopped claywork to go earn a living & packed them away in a lovely special box. But I lost them all in the shuffle, when I moved from VA to NH.  Now I've got just about every tool one could ever want, tho no high-end metals or master-favored designs, and no Griffin grip, which I guess isn't really a tool anyway LOL . My favorites these days are still those unintended for ceramics--the turkey quill, the drawer knobs, the pastry cutter, the dental tools, chop sticks, etc. etc. And, yeah, the fingers!
  17. Like
    LeeU got a reaction from Hulk in QotW: What special tool that you work with would your really hate to lose?   
    I didn't have my own tools, other than the barest of the absolute basics, when I was getting into ceramics. I was on welfare, a Pell grant for art school, raising a child by myself, and, well duh, never had any money. My favorite tools were a few gismos I made from  1/2 to an inch & a half-thick live branches from some southern tree-like magnolia or crepe myrtle. I was into texture & sculptural curves (still am) so I crafted them to multi-task & to make interesting surfaces. They served like a potter's thumb, a throwing stick, and other variations  recognizable standard tools. Stopped claywork to go earn a living & packed them away in a lovely special box. But I lost them all in the shuffle, when I moved from VA to NH.  Now I've got just about every tool one could ever want, tho no high-end metals or master-favored designs, and no Griffin grip, which I guess isn't really a tool anyway LOL . My favorites these days are still those unintended for ceramics--the turkey quill, the drawer knobs, the pastry cutter, the dental tools, chop sticks, etc. etc. And, yeah, the fingers!
  18. Like
    LeeU got a reaction from Hulk in What’s on your workbench?   
    You are right oldlady-some did just crack off and I deliberatly left them as such (my "honoring the survivor" stylistic aesthetic, my artwork as related to trauma).  I do smooth all edges, then I  close my eyes and feel the piece all over to be sure nothing is sharp.  Upon reflection, I guess the pieces would look better if I go ahead and  made those areas more curved. I'll try it!  Thanks-- to you & also to  Bam2015
  19. Like
    LeeU got a reaction from Rae Reich in What’s on your workbench?   
    You are right oldlady-some did just crack off and I deliberatly left them as such (my "honoring the survivor" stylistic aesthetic, my artwork as related to trauma).  I do smooth all edges, then I  close my eyes and feel the piece all over to be sure nothing is sharp.  Upon reflection, I guess the pieces would look better if I go ahead and  made those areas more curved. I'll try it!  Thanks-- to you & also to  Bam2015
  20. Like
    LeeU got a reaction from Kelly in AK in QotW: How many times a month/year do you fire your kiln/s?   
    My last fire was last August and when I read the QotW I thought I'd best skip this one. Well, I feel much better after reading Pres' comment about not firing since last September!  I keep a log.  Began in 2014 , when was doing 6, then 4,  then 3; since 2020, averaging 2.   Always low production w/ hardly any pressing deadlines, a too-big kiln, and self-permission to just go w/the flow of Lee-Life.  I should have a kiln load ready by March. I've had to adapt  "everything" involved w/the process to minor cognitive impairment (MCI), a result of minor TBI (traumatic brain injury). It is not--or so they say--progressive.  So, theoretically, once I get the hang of what I really can & can't do, I should be good to go w/no surprises. My motivation & level of acceptance took a near fatal hit, but I'm beginning to enjoy exploring a new style. The next fire is my first post-diagnosis test run--will she sink or will she swim?? The main challenge is that construction is fairly rough & funky , but I don't want the pieces to look too rough & too funky,  so I need to turn the heat up under the burner labeled "visually appealing", and pray.
  21. Like
    LeeU got a reaction from Pres in What’s on your workbench?   
    In a recent QotW (2/15/24) about how often we fire our kilns, I disclosed some personal functional limitations that I'm coming to grips with, that significantly change how and what I do with clay. "The next fire is my first post-diagnosis test run--will she sink or will she swim?? The main challenge is that construction is fairly rough & funky , but I don't want the pieces to look too rough & too funky,  so I need to turn the heat up under the burner labeled "visually appealing", and pray." This is the first greenware heading into this new phase. I'll come back post-fire with the results. My tag line is (still) "Sculpturally Functional Ceramics ".  Most of the work is draped bowls/catchalls/small trays and tea light bases.

  22. Like
    LeeU got a reaction from Min in What’s on your workbench?   
    In a recent QotW (2/15/24) about how often we fire our kilns, I disclosed some personal functional limitations that I'm coming to grips with, that significantly change how and what I do with clay. "The next fire is my first post-diagnosis test run--will she sink or will she swim?? The main challenge is that construction is fairly rough & funky , but I don't want the pieces to look too rough & too funky,  so I need to turn the heat up under the burner labeled "visually appealing", and pray." This is the first greenware heading into this new phase. I'll come back post-fire with the results. My tag line is (still) "Sculpturally Functional Ceramics ".  Most of the work is draped bowls/catchalls/small trays and tea light bases.

  23. Like
    LeeU got a reaction from Rae Reich in What’s on your workbench?   
    In a recent QotW (2/15/24) about how often we fire our kilns, I disclosed some personal functional limitations that I'm coming to grips with, that significantly change how and what I do with clay. "The next fire is my first post-diagnosis test run--will she sink or will she swim?? The main challenge is that construction is fairly rough & funky , but I don't want the pieces to look too rough & too funky,  so I need to turn the heat up under the burner labeled "visually appealing", and pray." This is the first greenware heading into this new phase. I'll come back post-fire with the results. My tag line is (still) "Sculpturally Functional Ceramics ".  Most of the work is draped bowls/catchalls/small trays and tea light bases.

  24. Like
    LeeU got a reaction from Hulk in What’s on your workbench?   
    In a recent QotW (2/15/24) about how often we fire our kilns, I disclosed some personal functional limitations that I'm coming to grips with, that significantly change how and what I do with clay. "The next fire is my first post-diagnosis test run--will she sink or will she swim?? The main challenge is that construction is fairly rough & funky , but I don't want the pieces to look too rough & too funky,  so I need to turn the heat up under the burner labeled "visually appealing", and pray." This is the first greenware heading into this new phase. I'll come back post-fire with the results. My tag line is (still) "Sculpturally Functional Ceramics ".  Most of the work is draped bowls/catchalls/small trays and tea light bases.

  25. Like
    LeeU reacted to Hyn Patty in QotW: How many times a month/year do you fire your kiln/s?   
    I fire daily some weeks, and only a couple of times a week other weeks.  But I am often firing my very small Olympic Doll kiln and only have one to three pieces in it at a time.  I only once in a while fire my larger Skutt.  If I'm working on a larger piece then I may fire it a few times a week for a while until that project is done.  Then months may go by without using my larger kiln unless I have a larger load.  A lot of my equine sculpture gets fired several times in the underglaze layers, then clear glazed, then may be fired a few more times with overglazes to build up the complex finishes I am known for on my horse pieces.  Especially if I did any claybody resculpting to the bisque then a piece might easily be fired 10 or 12 times (and in rare cases more).  So that can be a lot of trips in and out of my kilns!  Some days I have both kilns firing at the same time so they each have their own dedicated breakers.
    Even with such a heavy firing schedule I have managed after 20 years to keep both of my kilns in pretty good shape.  My Olympic is starting to show wear and tear and needs to be rewired now (still haven't gotten to that yet) but my Skutt still looks shiny and almost brand new.  If I had to make an average over the whole year, I fire about twice a week.  Some weeks I fire every day, some weeks I take off from firing to work on sculpting,  molds or resin casting, etc.  But my art studio is my full time job and I am best known for my ceramics, so...
    Edited to add a couple of photos.  This was a larger piece than usual for me, almost 15 inches long.  So I had to fire him in my larger Skutt instead of my little Olympic.  This was a porcelain bisque I resculpted the mane and tail on, made a new custom base for, and then custom glazed.  He was fired, I kid you not, exactly 20 times.  What a PITA!  Not a project I will take on again for a client anytime soon but he did come out very lovely and my client was well pleased!  Took a little extra TLC with packing him too, foam blocked and double boxed of course.  I was firing my Skutt a LOT when I was working on his china painting and enamel layers to build his color.  This is the Cybis 'Nashua' racehorse sculpture by JK Slick.  The brass halter ring was added after firing and due to the sculpture being porcelain, I attached the earthenware base using epoxy rather than trying to attach it in the kiln (and likely recracking later).  So anyway, pieces like this are why I fire so often.  Many layers can be delicate and need to be set and built up with a number of firings.  It took me all year to complete this commission due to various delays & distractions, other deadlines, etc.


    I think it would be cool if you all posted a sample of your work with your reply or a shot of a typical kiln load, something!
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