glazenerd

TY Min. A couple of Doctors in the States have said they do not work. However, States, Counties, and hospitals have been asking the public to bring these masks in if they have them. To my knowledge, the mask worn in hospitals are N95, unless they are using the full level 4 bio suits. Certainly some mixed messages State side.

Like Roberta: my wife and I live on acreage- surrounded by more timber and farmland. Very thankful we do not live in a dense urban area. I retired from home building almost 2 years ago, I still do high end finish work for high end contractor friends. I work alone mostly, rarely deal with people face to face: and have work for several more months. I am fully aware of my fortunate situation: so my concerns are for others who will be hurt by the uncertainty of these times. My mother is 87; my brother has her for a month, then my sister for a month: then me. She will stay with one of us until this storm passes. On the bright side: many potters have masks or respirators if those needs arise.

I started out of the gate making and firing crystalline glaze: which also meant making my own glaze. From there it naturally evolved into making my own glazes; including my own versions of temmoku and others. The first ton of clay I purchased, then started making my own- later buying a pugmill. Currently, I use R2 porcelain that I specifically developed to promote crystalline growth. I make my own suspender and brushing medium: that Britt named glaze jelly. Made my own tile setters, and other kiln furniture. I prefer to explore and learn. T

Marcia: Speaking of crystalline glaze- I read a thesis paper on crystalline glaze written by a student at SIU-C in 1973. As a historical perspective: 1973 was 25 years before any formal books on crystalline glaze was published ( Macro Crystalline Glaze by Peter Isley) I have read it several times: the insights and theorem are well within the boundaries of modern crystalline chemistry. The author of this thesis paper was YOU. T

A recent thread on culture made me think about periods of art history. Being an arm chair historian, I often go through the history of potters before us: Adelaide Robineau's Scarab Vase comes to mind. Historians put art (including pottery) into periods: Medievel, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neo-Classical for instance. (Google "periods in art history"- you will find them) Each period in recent history lasted 100-200 years: the current period began in 1800. So if periods last 200 years, that would mean beginning in 2000, a new period should have begun.....but it has not! Qotw : what name would you ascribe to the current period of art history that began in 2000?

Controlling the rate of drying has been on my agenda for a few years now. Couple of years back I was mixing a wetting agent into porcelain in an attempt to control it: those who got samples know how badly that flopped. so I have been working on a spritz made mostly of organic/food safe materials. To date, I have extended drying time by roughly 30%. When I get up to 50% or so, I will unveil it. However, I have no laboratory rats to test toxicity on, so PM me if you want to volunteer to drink a cup or two. ( that was Westerner joke by the way). T

Been following this topic, but I know just enough about Japenese/Chinese/Korean culture to say something wrong. One of the many times I wish Baymore was around: these cultures were his speciality. Being a Westerner, I will add a twist to it. Modern technology has managed to put most of the worlds population onto a single stage/platform. The assimilation of culture that once took centuries, now only requires a mouse click. Marco Polo bought back porcelain pieces from China: and Europe spent 500 years trying to replicate them. Any potter can click Sung/Ming dynasty and start throwing in an attempt to duplicate it. The unfortunate side effect of instant knowledge, is the loss of culture and application. The old saying goes "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." Should the blog writer be offended or flattered that others are trying to imitate her culture? Obviously some have hijacked strictly for ill advised sales promotions. Yet others love the work, love the culture, and are sincerely trying to imitate it. Personally I think she should educate rather than reprove. It is a futile effort to chastise those who have no respect to begin with. thats my 5 cents worth. The extra 3 cents if for shipping and handling. Tom

Lee: let me give you an example of being me. YOU form your favorite stoneware clay and notice how pliable it is, how it takes texture, how fast it dries, and how plastic it is. i form the same clay and: 80/10/10, with 8.2CEC, potassium body flux, with 30% plastic materials. You have much more fun than I do But TY.

Liam: i agree, Mark has an inspiring success story in the pottery biz. After 45 years in carpentry, I am aware of the time, energy, and sacrifices he made to build it. Pottery is unique; full time, part time, weekenders, full time hobby, to monthly dabble. My only intention starting out was to "play" with crystalline glaze, until I accidentally fell down this very deep rabbit hole. Rabbit holes are also unique, but also common in pottery. To answer the QotW: I do not want to make any pottery plans: because it is the only area of my life that is not. I find the unplanned happy accidents of discovery a relief from a lifetime of calculations. T

I spent the last 45 years telling myself that, not sure I agree these days. like most here, my life was the typical series of following schedules to earn a living. Planning, plotting, and projecting the path ahead. I find myself curious about not going to bed in order to get up at regulated time. I am curious to know what it is like not to meet deadlines, keep appointments, and plan for months ahead. Not sure I even know what "living for the day" means. I have held many titles over the last 45 years, most of which have little meaning: I find "couch tater" appealing lately. T

Benz: I have the opposite problem. I see some of the beautiful forms others make and wish I had the skill level to achieve it...but alas I do not. I long ago accepted the artistic gene skipped over me. Tom

A four point star. I have a mock up piece floating around here some place. It has some design issues, which I will have to overcome with a special clay blend to prevent warping. T