[QotW: Do you use or ever used a throwing aid of any sort due to a physical weakness/ailment?]

Callie, I am trying to picture the device that you mentioned, but I can't, and now I am curious. Would love to see a pic or see the video that you mentioned Pres.

Betty

[Quick glaze stirring and mixing]

Interesting, haven't considered using a toilet brush, but it  sounds like a good tool. I like being able to use tools from around the house instead of buying specific items for pottery.

I use a spatula to scrape the bottom and then a paint stirring stick. 

Betty

 

[Interesting marketing technique!]

But perhaps Pres is correct and it is a marketing idea?  I appreciate that you started this thread Pres, it is interesting to ponder this.

Betty

[Interesting marketing technique!]

Perhaps it has nothing to do with marketing, and the pottery is just a kind person trying to share some joy? 

Betty

[QotW: Have you have opted for digital scales, or anything digital of late because of the convenience or because you grew up with digital?]

Who would like to share the name/brand of their digital scale and how much it cost? I bought a second digital scale a couple of weeks ago and it looked much bigger in the picture. It works well, but I need one with a bigger weighing platform.

Thank you,

Betty

[I’ll tell you exactly how I did it.]

WOW! I haven't finished reading your blog yet, but what a wealth of information. It is very generous of you to share so much of your knowledge and experience with others. 

Betty

[Best clay for coasters?]

1 hour ago, Russ said:

Ive used a high fire stoneware or porcelain with very fine grog- bisque fired only and then some cork backing to prevent moisture from reaching furniture.

Thank you Russ. I think a cork backing would be a good idea. 

I have mid range stoneware and porcelain, so I'll try those. 

Betty

[Best clay for coasters?]

2 hours ago, Bill Kielb said:

Hmm, I am not sure porous is a good idea as the water will go through them and potentially damage the table beneath. I have always made them non absorbent and added a silicone rubber backing to prevent slipping, sliding, scratching but still all be very food grade and washable. It would seem absorbent coasters would leave a ring. Just thinking ……

Yes, I hear what you are saying Bill, but I plan to use a backing to prevent table damage. 

Betty

[Best clay for coasters?]

Hi All,

I'd like to make some coasters and wondering if there is a 'better' type of clay that I should use. I want them to be absorbent so I would not be glazing them. I want them to soak up condensation. 

Thank you,

Betty

[Make your own trimming tools]

Thank you Geoffrey. Are you willing to share a picture?

Betty

[Neil Estrick's video - grab some popcorn]

Kudos to you Neil, great info!

Betty

[Coyote high fire underglazes]

Thank you Kswan and Callie! I am not going to take any chances. I did not put underglazes on the bottoms and won't stack. I will however do some testing and can report back on this thread. 

Betty

[Coyote high fire underglazes]

Thank you all for chiming in.

Min, I will test. I was hoping that someone had used these underglazes and provide some insight. 

Betty

[Coyote high fire underglazes]

Hi All,

I am using Coyote's high fire underglazes for the first time and wondering if anyone knows if I put underglaze on the bottom of the pot if it will stick to the kiln shelf or to other pieces if I stack them?

I have used Amaco underglazes in the past and find that they can be stacked. A few months ago I used Duncan underglazes and stacked pots for bisque firing and they are now permanently affixed to one another. I don't want to make that same mistake again. 

Thank you,

Betty

[4 years later...]

Good for you! Sounds like you are off to a great start. I think that your numbers are quite impressive.

Betty

[What is the difference between CoreLite and other Hollow Core kiln shelves?]

Please let us know what you think of these shelves once you have tried them out a couple of times. I'm wondering if the composition affects the pots or firing process in any way.

Betty

[Can underglazes/glazes be reconstituted after drying out?]

Lee & Chilly,

I so agree with you. I have limited free time to work with clay and don't want to spend it on reclaim or rehydration. I too donate instead. 

Betty

[Oxides]

Hello All,

I have been rewatching The Great Pottery Throwdown and I realized this time around that they use oxides, never mixed glazes except for clear glaze. Can anyone recommend any books or resources for learning more about oxides? Would glaze books contain this info? 

Thank you in advance,

Betty

[Cink user manual, instructions]

Peter, 

Thank you for sharing! After a couple of phone calls, I finally received a manual from Diamond Tools, but it doesn't include any diagrams, so what you sent is helpful. I haven't hooked it up yet. 

Betty

[QothW: Which intrigues you and motivates you most when working with or looking at pots: Form or Surface?]

Interesting question!

For me it is surface rather than form. I admire a well made pot, and while one should not try to cover up a poorly made pot with glazes or underglazes, I think the true personality of the potter and the pot is seen in the surface details. 

Betty

[Currently in my Studio...]

Stunning work!

Betty

[Adding Fee for Credit Cards?]

As a consumer, I am insulted when I am charged an additional fee for using my credit card. Credit cards are not a novelty, so sellers should expect that the majority of their customers will be paying with cc.  I feel that the establishment should build this into their expenses. I know what to expect in terms of sales taxes, but I don't want to arrive at the cash register with my credit card out and then be told that I need to pay more, which to me feels like a penalty for using my credit card.

My two cents, which I'll be paying by credit card please.  

Betty

P.S. it use to be that credit card companies prohibited the seller from penalizing the customer and could take away charing privileges, is this no longer true? 

[Cink user manual, instructions]

Yes, that's it Hulk. I was hoping that someone on here has one. I am going to give Diamond a call tomorrow.

Betty

[Cink user manual, instructions]

Hello All,

I was fortunate to find a Cink for a very reasonable price and purchased it, however the owner did not have the instruction manual. Does anyone own a Cink who would be willing to share the manual or parts of the manual with me? I could not find the instructions on line although there is a lengthy video on YouTube. 

I sent Diamond Tools who sells them an email asking if I could have access to instructions, but haven't heard back from them. 

Thank you,

Betty

[Qotw: Participants Question Pool For Future Qotw's]

Hello Pres,

As I was trimming a pot last week, I started wondering if others trim pots just to clean them up and establish a foot, or is trimming part of the creative process for you?  I like when I have extra clay (thicker walls & bottom) and can change the intended look of the pot depending on my mood that day. 

Betty