[Plastic bags]

shirat bags for 50 years for me as well-I also have some larger sheets if similar plastic . I live in a area that banned sinle use bags  as well so even if I wanted them they are not here (better for the planet). The lighted plastic works the best=shirt bags

[gas kiln should i convert back to lpg]

Usually natural gas is cheaper so if you have natural gas stick with it. If you are not able to use natural gas and must use propane its just an small orfice change on each buner and a propane regular  at  tank-no big deal

so the only reason to convert is what gas type do you have thats convenient?

[split circuit]

I put in two heat pumps in past few years. Most run on 220v and require a double slot. They do not use much power (low amps) as to being very efficient .We do have a small haet pump in master bedroom that is a single slot 110v unit. They vary depending on size of space ny most are 220V

Most 100 amp main breaker boxes are 12-16 slots depending on brand and age. Lots  will depend on your actual house loads (what you really are using amp wise)

I suggest a good electrican for the job.

[QotW: How much area/distance do you cover when selling your ceramics?]

At one time about 1,100 mile each way to a show twice a year for 24 years straight. It was one of my best shows. Gave it up 6 years ago. I did AZ,NV,UT,Wa,CO, shows for many years. A few where two days trips to get to show and two days back and one was always 3 days to Denver. I did that for 5 straight years to Denver.  Last August I did my last Anacortes art show after about 30 years of them (retired from show which was my best)-that was 800 miles each way. I began a few years ago spliting into a two day drive up and and two back .Gave it all up last year no more traveling shows for me. I still have a twice a year wholesale order (20 boxes) I drive 4.5 hours each way to drop off. Its less than 1/2 the distance to the gallery it goes to. (its the gallery owners brothers house) They get it the rest of the way. Its one Forester full of pottery stuffed to the gills. At one time I drove over 20,000 a year on my old van doing art shops in the western states.In the last decade it was under 10,000 . Now its under 2k dropping off local orders. I do not miss it except for the large amounts of cash returning home with. That was always a nice feeling after slaying the Dragon at a big show.I was smart and saved much of it for later in life.Love my Roth 

[split circuit]

You often can use twin breakers on small curcuits like  outlets and lights -that is a breaker in a single slot that takes two circuits and has two switches. Use two of these and then you now have two open slots which you will need for another 220 double pole curcuit breaker . Use of twins frees up space.Every box is different as are the loads-this is where a good electrican is worth the $$

[QotW: What are your Winter strategies for working in the shop or on pottery?]

Turn on the heater (natural Gas) let the shop warm up and go to work. For me my winter break ends on Valentines day-back to a large wholesale order.This is my biggest transtion year on my slow down plan. Sold a single burner Gas kiln today (west coast I have been storing for 35 years (never used) part of my downsize plan as well. Filled a Suburau outback with it and shelves.

Got the studio wet mopped/wet dusted all shelves and vaced it up with whole studio vac. system. Brought in 1,000 #s of clay to heat it up before Tuesdays work schedule.

sunny and 61 today as the rain stopped. Colder nights now but only

in the 30s.Perfect climate for clay work

[Brent cxc batt system help]

Yes a bat in between -fits the brent and is drilled for whatever Euro system you need. 

Thats a good solid option..

[What is this defect? And how can I avoid it?]

You can only work as fast as the clay will let you grasshopper

[Flaking Kiln Shelves]

Make your own wash-the commercial stuff is crap-that stuff should grind off easy-use a 4 inch hand grinder

[Soft brick wash recipe]

(calcine half the kaolin) Yes I forgot to mention this as well. Its what I do with my kiln wash for shelves .Same formula 50% alumina 25% calcined Kaolin and 25% kaolin 

[QotW: In your pottery life, do you have any regrets about your journey with clay over the years?]

I was planning on a MFA in as well Pres. It was suggested I take a year off and focus on clay at home in studio. The rest was history no regrets there .My only gripe is what its done to my wrist and hands 50 years of production has really taken its toll on my wrists-3 bones cut out on right wrist and one thumb bone on left hand. removed. My hands are not happy these days

Of course arthritis has also added to them not being happy.

My brother was a Art Prof at UC Santa Barbara for 25 years so I got lots of exposure to that way of life (all my family where teachers) I cut my own path and am happy with it. It was more work by far  than teaching and took much longer to get traction. I only have myself to answer to and I have done it all my way as Frank Sinatra would say. I have amassed a great retirement  when needed as well as I started that thought in the mid 80s as I knew that no pension was coming down my road.

When I want more $ I just worked more and hit the road selling more. 

No regrets -I think next time  around I may want a small Island in the tropics with a pier to tie up my boat and do more diving. Of course with climate change that may be in 5 years here in Humboldt County

[Soft brick wash recipe]

I would not use that silica at all

50% Alumina
50% Kaolin
this is a basic salt kiln wash

The 50% alumina is at a good start I also like some milled zircon

The kaolin makes it stick

So maybe 50 alumina Hydrate and 20 Milled zircon and 30 EPK

silica is not to be used in this wash at all-soda and salt go after it (stick to it like the silica in the clay pots)

water it down to thick cream-spray the soft bricks just befor applying as they will suck all the water out of wash if not a little damp 1st. One thin coat is far better than a thick coat which tends to spall off later. Keep  that coat thin .

 

[What is this defect? And how can I avoid it?]

I always just add wateer to thin it.. Once you fine the right specific gravity (I write that # on side of bucket)

[Plaster Consistency - Suppy Chain issues]

Plaster was hard to get last year around here as well.

[Using a forge to melt glaze not a kiln]

There is a learning lesson ready to happen.I think the devil in you says give it a try. 

PS wear glasses for protection

[Using a forge to melt glaze not a kiln]

A forge is all about hot NOW and clay is all about hot slowly as Pres said. You would need a pyrometerm for heat data and some way to go very slowy other wise your wares can crack.

theoretically its possible but not likely .

[Some Laguna Commercial Glazes Special Order Only in 2023]

They are blowing them out at 40% off until gone in those smaller quantities-I suggest a phone call to make sure your order is ok with their inventory before placing it.

[Beer mug size]

What kind of clay ,and how much throwing you have done ,will all factor into how much clay is needed to get a certain size. Its not a one size fits all deal

I wrote in a CM article a few years back throwing clay amounts if I recall for porcelain in our studio

here they are for porcelain  in a production studio setting

weights =oz

3/4# =8-10oz mug

1# 12-14oz mug

1 1/4# 16-18oz mug 

1 1/2 # 24-26oz mug

2#-34-38 oz mug

Now as I said throwing clays (some clays throw better than others) and skill level with vary the outcomes

We make 7 kinds/sizes of mugs and none are called beer mugs just different sizes for all uses.

I do make what I call a soup mug and also a motion mug/trucker mug . They are not on the list above. The soup mugs are low and wide and the motion are inverted V shpae with smaller opening so thay do not splash out and come with a rubber botton no skid so you can leave them on the roof your car and drive a few blocks and still stop and get your morning coffee if you remember it soon enough

My customers sometimes get the soup mug idea but not aways and the trucker mugs are a long ago item that no one seems to make anymore and sell well in galleries.

 

 

[Throwing without trays because I forgot to bringthem]

use a  few towels over your legs and less water

or cut a clay box in 1/2 and make it a splash pan untill it gets soaked (they last a long really)

[Issues with plaster]

Ok you got me there on an Amazon order for #1 pottery plaster. I suspect the age of bag or how it was stored. It could have been rebagged  a year or two ago.

let us know on what the rest does after mixing

[Issues with plaster]

Just a thought was this #1 pottery plaster-My guess is thats what you said by #1. Also since you live in the humid souther parts you need to keep air off(sealed plastic bag)  it unless it a new unopened bag. Plaster will absorb any moisture in the air right away .

Plaster usually gets warm setting off. My experience is when its old and has any lumps it does weird things like not setting well (or warm)

Was your bag unopened -around here we can only get #1 pottery Plaster ina 50# bag as well.

[Beer mug size]

I would use 1.5 #s of clay or just a bit less.In porcelain . My 24-26 oz mugs are 1.5#s of clay

[Issues with plaster]

USG makers of #1 pottery plaster (white) say 70 parts water to 100 parts plaster .

I have my schedule (water to plaster) out in studio now and will look later.

Your mix sounds off a bit

when using plaster you want dry new plaster-it sound like since you added the words sifted your plaster I assume it had some lumps in it? if so then its old and will behave not as well as new plaster.

also you let it soak and in that time you shoild use a power mixer to get all the smalls wet. I mix in a bucket with a small cordless drill with a jiffy mixer at the ready with a fresh bucket of water to clean jiffy mixer-2 minutes of power mixing then drop bucket a short distance on floor to allow air bubbles to rise. Then pour.

The water temp is also a key deal. Colder water gives you a bit more working time.

We have some real plaster experts  here that also may help as time goes by

welcome to the forum

https://www.usg.com/content/usgcom/en/products/industrial/ceramics/no-1-pottery-plaster.html

[Making a mould of Student Work-JBL]

Not worth it 

It will mess with the details as well before firing

fire really slowly after a good lomng drying time and you should be fine

[Toxic mold in clay?]

I myself cannot stand the smells/scents in most items and have learned to avoid them all. I'm hyper sensitive to them. You find alternatives to them all (dryer sheets for example are not needed same with all perfumes and sented deturgents)

yes the same with (chemicals, perfumes, dryer sheets exhaust) ,that said I have 50 years in with clay and do not feel that those apply at all to clay and pottery. Yes the burn off has some smell so I avoid it especailly wax. Clay can mold buts it never been an issue. More dry skin issues with in and out of clay and water. Now there is an issue. Now working with clay wedging and carring 10 tons 12 times a year for decades ,well that a bit different on the body

I think clay is not for everyone.

If you read the fine print on your credit card statement (if you have one) you will see thats its also not what you thought . A bit like the warning on a box of clay which has about 10,000  less words