[Can we talk about sustainability please?]

As Babs said, you covered a lot of ground, but I appreciate that you highlighted this topic. I too have been concerned about sustainability in this medium and in the end realize that I can only be responsible for my own practices. I no longer belong to a community studio so I am not in a position to  influence others. 

I am interested to see this thread continue as I am interested in the input of others. 

[Cone 6 slip casting recipe]

Peter and Jeff, thank you for your responses.

Peter, thank you for the suggestion of a dry clay mix. I will Google to see what is available in the US. 

Jeff, I am going to try that recipe this winter. I found several recipes on line, but would prefer to try a recipe that someone on this forum recommends. I'll let you know how it turns out. Will probably wait until the new year to try it out. 

Betty

[Cone 6 slip casting recipe]

Hi All,

I have been using Laguna porcelain and stoneware pouring slip and now considering trying to make my own. I've found a few recipes on line, but wonder if anyone has any recipes that they like,  and if they find it worth it to make pouring slip rather than purchasing.

Thank you,

Betty

[QotW: Is anyone going to NCECA this year?]

I thought it already happened. Do you mean 2024 Pres?

[QotW: Are you Dipper, Pourer, Sprayer, sponger, squirter, or Brusher?]

Dip, but I have only been using clear glazes the past couple of years so I am now mixing my own glazes. 

[The Great Canadian Pottery Throwdown]

16 hours ago, Callie Beller Diesel said:

Having watched his progress on Instagram, Seth Rogen is no slouch. He’s put in some serious work in the last couple of years. His fame did kickstart some things and open a bunch of doors, but he’s still got a good eye. He’s likely supposed to be the analogous body to  Kieth, but with less joyful weeping. 

It was just my humble opinion.  Didn't mean to offend anyone.

[The Great Canadian Pottery Throwdown]

Well, that will be fun to watch. Love the British version. Would prefer to see a more accomplished ceramic artist associated with the show, but Rogen  has the popularity & the money, so why not? 

[Latex Loser]

That is a bummer! Beautiful piece. Don't give up!

Betty

[Tips on how to obtain vibrant colors in pit fire]

Hello All,

I have the opportunity to participate in a pit firing (this is my second pit fire) and wondering if anyone can provide some tips on how to maximize reds, blues & greens. I've done a good amount of research, read articles, watched YouTube videos, but would appreciate input from this community of potters. I am thinking about using an aluminum saggar for some of my pots and some of the usual additives, banana peels, dried seaweed, copper, Miracle Gro, etc. 

And is there a way to add graphics and ensure that they will survive the firing?  

Thanks!

Betty

[Pricing shipment for Shopify website]

I agree, include the shipping up front. I've emptied many shopping carts after seeing the shipping cost. 

Betty

[How does she do this?]

Peter, I was truly intrigued, but not going to try and copy her. 

And she glazes the bottoms! Must use stilts? 

[How does she do this?]

Bingo Min!! You are quite the detective.   

The design makes more sense now. 

[How does she do this?]

Interesting thoughts Russ & Peter. What baffles me most is what you pointed out Peter, the black edges on the circles. But, they might just be sanded as you both mentioned. If you look at the pot to the very right, there are still some raised dots on it. 

I had to Google raindrop damascus. Yes, similar appearance. 

[How does she do this?]

I agree Min, probably a lot of work to achieve this and a lot of trial and error. I certainly can't fault her for not sharing her process when asked. 

Interesting thought Min. "Perhaps slip trailing done on paper then pressed against the inside of the mold then the white porcelain poured in?"

I am determined to figure it out!!

[How does she do this?]

Yes, the artist is Sonja Brough, no doubt about that. I copied the pic from her Instagram account.  

I saw what looked like a video of her process, the same that Peter posted, but can't get the video to work. 

I am so baffled by how she achieves those patterns. 

[How does she do this?]

Hi All,

Any thoughts on how she achieves this design? Others have asked, but no response. Not looking to copy. I like to incorporate many techniques into one pot to make it my own. The artist is Sara Brough. I believe she is from Australia, but that might not be correct.

[Selling a kiln, replace the elements or not?]

Thank you for chiming in Neil. I think I will try to sell without changing the elements & see if I have any bites. Yes, I would most certainly state that elements need to be changed. 

Betty

[If you could do it all over again – kiln shelves recommendations for a beginner? (yes, this is another post on shelves)]

Instead of starting a new thread re: kiln shelves, I figured I'd resurrect this one. Any more recent thoughts or recommendations on what type or brand of kiln shelves to purchase? 

Thank you,

Betty

[Selling a kiln, replace the elements or not?]

Hi All,

I have upgraded to a larger kiln and will be selling my small L & L 18S kiln. I know that it needs new elements, but I am hoping to avoid replacing them myself. Do you think that if I try selling the kiln without replacing the elements, that some buyers will be turned off and not want to purchase it?  Other than the elements, the kiln is in perfect working condition. 

Thank you,

Betty

[A recent movie based on the arc of a (real) potter's work]

Thank you Hulk. I am going to watch this tonight. 

Betty

[Times article on pottery workshop popularity]

Nice article. Nothing like a clay community. I wish that real estate wasn't so expensive where I live otherwise I would start a community studio/coop. 

Betty

[New Potter Questions]

Earl, 

Welcome! Yes, this is the place. I say that from the perspective of a frequent question asker, not advice giver. This forum is filled with friendly, knowledgeable, creative and generous individuals. 

Betty

[Their enslaved ancestor’s pottery sells for over $1 million. They get nothing.]

Thank you for sharing Mark. I saw the exhibit on Friday at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. It was a beautiful exhibition, the pots were huge, most much larger than the replica shown in the article. But as LinR said, a sad subject. Many of the pots had writings on them and it was explained in the descriptions that the potter could have been punished for the writings since slaves were not supposed to know how to read or write.

If in the Boston area or have the opportunity to visit the traveling exhibit, I highly recommend it. 

Betty

[Tools For Clay Sculpting]

I agree with Denise. Your hands are your best tools! I bought lots of tools in the beginning and find that I use very few. I would suggest an inexpensive starter set and see what you need. 

I have often thought that it would be helpful if an experienced sculptor reviewed the various tools and showed how best to use them, but I haven't come across any sort of tutorial that addresses this. 

[Pin marks on pottery?]

Interestingly, I made a couple of pots with exterior black underglaze which has pin holes & I like it. Yes, it's a defect, but an interesting one. I found out that my clear glaze and they black underglaze don't like each other. I did not use black on the inside, so not pinholes.

Betty