LeeU

Perhaps mom would understand, once the "technical" issues are explained to her, if you simply/honestly said you need to sell it in order to get the right equipment. Since it is new, it shouldn't loose  monetary value, and you can still affirm your delight in the receiving of the gift,  which will just morph into a different object.

Perhaps mom would understand, once the "technical" issues are explained to her, if you simply/honestly said you need to sell it in order to get the right equipment. Since it is new, it shouldn't loose  monetary value, and you can still affirm your delight in the receiving of the gift,  which will just morph into a different object.

@Jodie Parry, every once in a while we get posts like yours that are asking members of the forum questions for their research or product development. I've yet to see one where the OP comes back and shares the results of their questions. This might be why you are getting few responses, in addition to the request from Marilyn for some clarification of what "digital element" would mean.

WOW-thank you SO much for the time & effort you put into the feedback. I will be going over the details it in depth as I carry on! One bit of confusion is the facebook comment thing--I deliberately kept links to social media out of it, so I have no idea what that coud be-it does not appear on my laptop.  I especially appreciate the "choose your audience" perspective-that confirms some things that have been bubbling up into my consciousness lately. Thanks again, this is so helpful. Oh-and that indictor for a missing "something"  by blog author is a glitch in the code on their end-I'm trying to get  IT to deal with it...it's been very frustrating-they may lose me over that alone! 

WOW-thank you SO much for the time & effort you put into the feedback. I will be going over the details it in depth as I carry on! One bit of confusion is the facebook comment thing--I deliberately kept links to social media out of it, so I have no idea what that coud be-it does not appear on my laptop.  I especially appreciate the "choose your audience" perspective-that confirms some things that have been bubbling up into my consciousness lately. Thanks again, this is so helpful. Oh-and that indictor for a missing "something"  by blog author is a glitch in the code on their end-I'm trying to get  IT to deal with it...it's been very frustrating-they may lose me over that alone! 

I've done a "first pass" at resurrecting my WIX website. Mostly to learn the changes to the editing functions & output presentation--still really don't like them, so am likely to switch venders. In any event, if anyone would care to take a look and offer some feedback, I'd appreciate it. This is half-baked, so keep that in mind. One problem I have is that due to certain conditions I must use a large monitor & a mouse. That means I have a hard time finding out how my design looks on a phone, a tablet, and a laptop. I have a phone (Android), so I can see it, but I have not mastered how to change things in the editor on my monitor to look better on the phone, even with the "mobile optimization", it's a lot of trial & error. So feedback specific to tablets/phones/laptops is also appreciated. Just FYI, the pieces are all pretty old and do not reflect the new direction, new palette, that I am moving toward. I won't activate the new site until I have some new inventory. BTW-this image is a screen shot from my large monitor, so unless you ave a huge screen I'm sure it will look different...like all the white space between the bottom red text and the footer probably does not appear on smaller screens. (but I don't know !!! - so you tell me LOL)
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
leeuceramics.com 

What he said (Hulk). Except I don't touch anything until the whole load has been spread out on my work table for a couple of days. I might go in and pet them, but no finishing-if any is needed-until I've spent a day or so getting over-oh, I hate that, or oh, that's not what I wanted, or any other form of oh, throw it out. Inevitably that is usually premature and even the uglies may be redeemed w/a refire. So I let it perk a bit until I can be more objective. As w/Hulk's dispatching of the not-A- work,  I do the same, and pitch most into the Meet Mr. Hammer bin.

Hi
I have made a  Torsional Viscometer 
 
I wanted something where I could measure the viscosity using a laboratory instrument as with anything like this t.ype of equipment can be very expensive I decided to use my 3D printer to make a fully working  Torsional viscometer. The viscometer is very accurate and every part can be replaced and upgraded.   Parts not printed consist of :-   Purchased from eBay   1. Stainless steel shaft. 1. Perspex tube. 1. Flywheel Top stainless Stainless steel disc.  1. Sample cup  small stainless steel disc. 1. Small disc in the base.    Thumb screws  bolts. (Brass - stainless steel)   1. 30swg torsion viscometer wire (This has been made in house   - wire ends are designed to be reused)             Printed parts:-   2. Support brackets .....................      (Hold the Perspex wire guard tube) 1. Scale gauge bracket ................     (Hold the printed vinyl scale) 1. Sample holder bracket .............     (Allows the sample to be held in position) 1. Sample stop ..............................     (This stop allows you to set the sample bracket height) 1. Main base ..................................     (The main base has 3 micro adjustable levelling)   1.wire holder ..................................    (Special wire holder bracket with micro adjustment) 1.Adapter ring ................................    (This was added so you could use a commercial spring wire) 1.Sliding centring wire guard ........    (This allows you to slide section of the wire guard to assist in levelling) 1.Flywheel ......................................    (Customisable can add stainless steel weight discs, brass locking screw for securing bobs) 1.Flywheel locking mechanism ......  (Fully adjustable indicator pointer locking holder)   2.Accessory trays ..........................   (designed to locate on the side of the main base to store any Allen keys and also bobs   1.Waterproof vinyl gauge............... (can also be used with removable logging dial)           I decided to build a 3D printed Torsion Viscometer to do some experiments with my hobby pottery glazes. I designed each part in Design Spark Mechanical CAD software . For the vertical frame. I used copper tubing as I had this lying around in a scrap bin. (This has  been replaced with a stainless steel round bar       
 

What he said (Hulk). Except I don't touch anything until the whole load has been spread out on my work table for a couple of days. I might go in and pet them, but no finishing-if any is needed-until I've spent a day or so getting over-oh, I hate that, or oh, that's not what I wanted, or any other form of oh, throw it out. Inevitably that is usually premature and even the uglies may be redeemed w/a refire. So I let it perk a bit until I can be more objective. As w/Hulk's dispatching of the not-A- work,  I do the same, and pitch most into the Meet Mr. Hammer bin.

What he said (Hulk). Except I don't touch anything until the whole load has been spread out on my work table for a couple of days. I might go in and pet them, but no finishing-if any is needed-until I've spent a day or so getting over-oh, I hate that, or oh, that's not what I wanted, or any other form of oh, throw it out. Inevitably that is usually premature and even the uglies may be redeemed w/a refire. So I let it perk a bit until I can be more objective. As w/Hulk's dispatching of the not-A- work,  I do the same, and pitch most into the Meet Mr. Hammer bin.

What he said (Hulk). Except I don't touch anything until the whole load has been spread out on my work table for a couple of days. I might go in and pet them, but no finishing-if any is needed-until I've spent a day or so getting over-oh, I hate that, or oh, that's not what I wanted, or any other form of oh, throw it out. Inevitably that is usually premature and even the uglies may be redeemed w/a refire. So I let it perk a bit until I can be more objective. As w/Hulk's dispatching of the not-A- work,  I do the same, and pitch most into the Meet Mr. Hammer bin.

As a consumer as well as a seller I prefer including the cost of shipping in the price of the items. In a policies section I state that the price includes the shipping fee, at cost (UPS or whatever method). Keeps life simple and it stings less on the buyers end when going to check out. I often think twice when I see the shipping cost, because some of the rates just really irk me--I'm happier not having it shoved in my face.  It's just easier to swallow and if I do comparative shopping on the item, I can do the math and tell right away that the inclusive price is not an inflated price. I also prefer "shipping included" to "free shipping"-no such thing!

cannot say enough good things about AMOCA.   there were so many of the pieces in the many books i have read over the years that i was stunned to turn the corner and see them.   the couple who lent them for this exhibit were photographed with some of the collection not on display.  unbelievable.    books are great but to actually see a pot that is huge and perfect had an impact that measurements printed under a photo cannot.  could have stayed all day.   the contemporary crafts location was not close enough for a visit.
there is a craft fair that is apparently year round in laguna beach.  the "tents" are permanent buildings and have many different types of work.  a glass blower sits inside a cage about 20x20 feet that keeps the public safe but able to see everything being done.  potters are close to the entrance and numerous.   great place for visiting.  named Sawdust
 
thanks for the suggestions.

Good question!
I feel and think (both!) that I'm just starting out with trying and choosing clay bodies ...I've found three, err, four clays that I like, three of which a nearby* supplier carries.
I still like periodically rotating from white to red to buff/brown.
All the factors Pres listed apply for me, excepting "word from others..."
For white and buff stoneware, I like low absorption (less than 1% preferred, else 1.5%), almost never has "gassy bits**" and tolerates a cone or more overfiring without issue.
For red stoneware a bit higher absorption is ok (unless/until I find something better), almost never has gassy bits, tolerates just over a half cone or so overfiring.
My low COE liner glaze has to fit Very Well, and my colored glazes have to fit well.
The clays I've tried and won't go back to have one or more of these characteristics: expensive, high rate of gassy bits failure, my low COE liner glaze doesn't fit (crazing), misbehaves horribly when overfired a wee tiny bit (fizzing, bubbling, turns purble, melts/slumps), absorbs water too quickly while working (giant globs of absorbent grog in there), is just too sandy/lumpy and or the sand is sharp (is there any good reason for sharp sand in clay?), varies considerably/intolerably batch to batch.
When next buying clay (almost certainly the same three clays I'm using now), I'll want to know if the recipe has changed since last purchase.
There's the talc change thing, and I've already had a "this is Totally Different Clay" experience with another vendor's product. Even if assured it is same, I will test! !!
Likely I'll also get a fifty-pound box of something to try, which is how I discovered the speckled buff that I really (really) like.
I prefer the clay right out of the bag to be a bit softer/wetter than I want to work with, which is easily remedied by a turn on the wedging board.
Somewhat related, I don't want clay right out of the store to be "old" already - fresh, please; nor do I want clay that's too stiff/dry for my taste.
Stacking the boxes together in a shady and cool spot, then covering tightly with a tarp seems to help keep the clays "young' ...now I wrap the boxes with moving wrap before stacking them up, seems to help. The moving wrap is like a gigantic version of the cling wrap used to wrap food.
 
*the nearby vendor is just under 100 miles away, IMCO in Sacramento. They make a white and red that I like, and they carry a Laguna product that I've tried and like. Another California clay vendor has a white and red stoneware I like, but they are further away, and I like the nearer vendor's clays a bit better, not Just because they are cheaper, no, the white is more consistent, and the red has better working properties, tolerates overfiring better, and is less absorbent ...and their clays are less expensive.
**where there's a large pit/hole in the glaze, which I'm guessing is due to a large piece/chunk/bit of something that off-gassed enough to create a volcano-like effect that's too big to heal over. I'm willing to tolerate this when it doesn't happen very often, at all, like one of twenty wares - not so much one of seven.

Added: That Dragon Fruit clay has been whisperin' to me!
 

The look of the fired unglazed clay is my essential criteria. Unless I'm checking out a new-to-me black/gray, I go to great lengths to avoid staining - usually go for whitest/lightest bodies, but they can't be soft/slippery. I usually get somethign with a bit of tooth/grog/sand, recommended for handbuilding. I don't care about absorbsion  or shrinkage for what I do.  Suppliers tend to have helpful, knowledgable, customer service people who have never steered me wrong. At the moment I am in love with Dragon Fruit, from International Clay & Mnerals Co. ICMC   Very light gray with fine speckles and feels like stone...makes for some interesting contrast with glazes (but not for total coverage-that just wastes it's beauty). 

I hope this is an okay place to post this, if not please let me know.

Hello All,

My studio setup is a bit stymied right now so I'm looking to fill some time between October and November with a road trip around the western United States. I'm looking to visit potters and studios as much as possible! If you are open to a visit to talk pots or receive some free grunt labor (I have professional skills with software engineering, intermediate skills building/fixing/maintaining pottery equipment, and am not above helping wedge, reclaim, or make clay and glazes). Currently I plan to stop by Archie Bray, Cobb Mountain, and Cider Creek Pottery. If you have recommendations for any other programs or places that I can reach out to please let me know.

Take Care,
Brandon Blaylock

OH  !      re Min's comment, I am going to take some time while I fiddle w/WIX and definately check out Hostinger.  My domain is through GoDaddy and I'm fine w/that...plus I know it's really not that hard to move it around. I'd been so stagnant for so long that this little shake-up w/WIX & the new learning curve is actually good for me! I'm going in a new direction in terms of forms & palette, so I'm finally getting jazzed a bit.

OH  !      re Min's comment, I am going to take some time while I fiddle w/WIX and definately check out Hostinger.  My domain is through GoDaddy and I'm fine w/that...plus I know it's really not that hard to move it around. I'd been so stagnant for so long that this little shake-up w/WIX & the new learning curve is actually good for me! I'm going in a new direction in terms of forms & palette, so I'm finally getting jazzed a bit.

I think for artists, there’s nothing terribly wrong with a professionally sounding gmail address. I pay for the email, but that’s because I got a package deal initially, and now there’s too many things tied to it to get rid of it. 
As far as email lists go, IF you were to do it, it’s better to do those through an email service anyways. Most of us here I think don’t need much more than features offered under most free versions of ones like Mailchimp or Email Octopus, so it’s not a big deal at all to sign up for one.
 Not that I think anyone is coming after an artist with a 200 person email list, but it’s worth knowing that If you have EU or Canadian citizens on your email list, you may be subject to their data privacy laws, even if you as the sender don’t live there. If you try and set up through say, google forms, they don’t have the right levels of security at all. Email services have all the things you didn’t know you needed, like the ability to delete client data permanently, obtain double op-ins, and have all the correctly worded statements built in. 

I recently changed to Hostinger too. I thought they really pushed the email function, I didn't sign up for it and probably never will, I saw it as a way to tether someone to stay with them. 

@LeeUwhen I say email services, I don’t mean having a lee@leecustomceramics.com email, I mean something like mailchimp. Sending a marketing campaign straight from your email box can get you into data privacy problems. 

Fun fact, because I just had to do this myself: you can move your custom domain email to google if you move away from whoever you bought it from in the first place. 
Because I bought my custom email from weebly back in the day (it was cheap at the time), they were technically just selling a google email spot. On my part, I just transferred the billing. Why did I do this? The old weebly billing account was having issues, and their payment portal wasn’t working, and after spending almost 6 hours on a customer support call and still couldn’t get it to work, i said some bad words and just moved the billing. Got a free month out of it. 
When I went to look up whether or not you could do something similar with Hostinger, there were detailed instructions on how to transfer MX records from Hostinger, and everyone else selling domain emails.  It’s a few steps to be sure, and like moving your domain to another website builder it can take up to 72 hours. But it’s possible.  I didn’t investigate whether you could transfer an email account from someone like Hostinger to GoDaddy to get deals like you do for just the domain name.

Yes-I agree. I should have clarified that I am such a small home studio & am not doing online sales, so all I need is the gmail.  I think when I set it up I had been criticized (by some local guild potters) for using the "common man DIY" approach to my web presence &  email-saying it made me look "unprofessional". That probably made me dig my heels in LOL That was years ago,  when I was just starting back into the field & was taking every kind of marketing & SEO workshop on the planet & was barraged with pitches to get me to pay for various services.  In today's  world, I guess a service with the features you have mentioned-especially that you don't know you need until you can't do something,  is probably imperative for a ceramics business.

Yes-I agree. I should have clarified that I am such a small home studio & am not doing online sales, so all I need is the gmail.  I think when I set it up I had been criticized (by some local guild potters) for using the "common man DIY" approach to my web presence &  email-saying it made me look "unprofessional". That probably made me dig my heels in LOL That was years ago,  when I was just starting back into the field & was taking every kind of marketing & SEO workshop on the planet & was barraged with pitches to get me to pay for various services.  In today's  world, I guess a service with the features you have mentioned-especially that you don't know you need until you can't do something,  is probably imperative for a ceramics business.

Would be nice to see photos or either/both pieces after the application of the paint when you report back!