Mark C.
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Posts posted by Mark C.
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I'm sticking to the #6 wire and a 50 amp breaker. If you want a 40 amp breaker fine smaller breaker is the safety in this case
I have had 4 skutt kilns in 5 decades and they underrated the old ones badly. I blew breakers and melted a J box ,overheated wires in the 70'sand 80's Upsided the wires all to #6 -hardwired the kilns and zero issues since.
I said it before- bigger wire is always better.
This was my experience . I also learned the top cone the kiln plate spec was overrated as well and was really not accurate, say cone 8 for example in an old 181 or 231 or a 1227 with 2.5 inch wall.
The plugs between sections wore out fast (from heat) as did the elements.
Of course Skutt discontinued this old plugs between sections to newer better materials
Skutt always overrated those old kilns on the spec plates
I have learned that spec plates are not always right.
In todays kilns, get a cone 10 kiln for cone 6 fires not a cone 8 kiln for cone 6 fires.
Once you melt a few wires and boxes and toast a few breakers one usually gets it.
I think the newer Skutts are more acurate in terms of specs. Better 3 inch walls and wiring now.
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THHN is better wire (needs to be in conduit( this is more about the wire insulation type and strands . The better insulation takes more heat and costs more.I use a lot of THHN in life when pulling wires to pump sheds and conduit runs.
NM Romex would be fine for a 30 amp kiln with the 125% rule
50 amps use #6 wire as that covers the 125% rule-you can still use the 40 amp breaker but it may trip and you will then need a 50amp
when it comes to wire size you are far better off to go big. (yes it costs more but kiln use demands it)
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So my big tip is what Roberta already said-when things get tight (recession -slow down -inflation) make smaller things. I have done this for over 4 decades and it always works.
I usually make more money in the slow times just by switching to smaller forms and lots of them.
as to Jens comment
(But making a living means you will spend a lot of time NOT doing the part you love.)
Thats just a potters life and its all poart of the lifestyle-I'm not keen on all the bookkeeping but its part of the bigger picture which is the part I like. You cannot always just eat the frosting.
I feel your statement is what separates hobbyist from Professionals . I got over the parts I did not like in the 70s. This will be my last year of selling over 100k in ceramics and I can tell you there are parts I do not like but they get done just as well as the parts I do like.
Jen is spot on about slowly getting into it-the long haul while doing other things is the best way to ease into a potters life. Working side jobs while making is a good idea.
For me I never once had the thought I would be a full time potter as a job its was organic over time-it was more about passion than work and its just became my life without much thought-that was in the late 70s.
- Callie Beller Diesel, Roberta12, GEP and 1 other
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I wore out one wrist and a thumb bone in left hand. Missing three bones now in right wrist (PRC) and left thumb bone taken last year in left hand. The Wrist is also from some injury long ago (unknown) and throwing for so long did not help.
This is 50 years of heavy production throwing so others need not worry.'Yes arthritis in all fingers and hands-but alas its also an age deal.
The plus sides-its kept my back and body in good shape. Its made me strong (age slows this down a bit) . I had a one time incredible hand grip.
I move clay 12 times from pick up to sale. Pallet moving into truck then hand offload to clay shed) You do 8-12 tons a year for many many decades you either get strong or quit.I got strong
The biggest positive I can say is lifestyle. its given me freedom and focus and more learning than one could ever ask for. I had a lifetime of fixed dates I had to work the rest of the time was mine to work or play when I wanted.
Its also had some great side effects as I needed to master plumbing (to build kilns-I have done 12 at least)
I needed electrical skills so I worked with my best friend an electrical contractor back when I had an off season-learned those skills. I need more space so I worked witha carpenter friend and we built some more pot shop space and a few outbuildings.
Early in my carrier I did not have two dimes to rub together . Later after figuring out my markets (shows and outlets) It gave me financial freedom.
Yes its taken a toll on the body but the mind and spirit have has tremendous uplifts
You learn to be humble as clay/glaze/fire always will lay you out sooner or later-whether its a ruined load of pots from bad clay or pitted glaze or some other large mistaka. You lewarn to move thru it and move on. I just throw the laod away and throw another and try to understand the whys.
I love being a potter and the same fire I had at 18 with clay is still there in this old mans body.
- Rae Reich, Pyewackette, Kelly in AK and 4 others
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Well after opening my 43 annual xmas booth this year during a huge storm I as of now am thinking this is my last xmas doing it. The money is great but I'm at a point where I want to feel what a normal xmas is with only supplying my 7-8 outlets at Xmas and not selling my own work at my booth. I have done this booth every year straight since 1979. I think I'm getting to the point where the time is what I want back.
I have had great sales help but that is getting tougher and this year is the last for my crew (they are my age as well). I was wresting the doors closed thought hey this would be great not to doing this anymore. My plan was to slow it down at 70 and thats in March, really for me its xmas day as thats when all the demand slows again. I told my partner and she was happy to hear that maybe next year no more xmas booth .Only a fire left to do as I;m done throwing for the year and just need a huge claen up fire. I close the booth for 3 days starting Monday to do just that.
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It amazing how cutting down can make more money. Weather its an employee or shows. Less is more at times
I used to do 12 shows a year and when I cut that back and did less and had more inventory at the shows I did I made more money that year. Having more inventory at a show you make more $. I kept cutting shows back as I aged and still made more money. The show expense food and lodging all added up or didn't making me more $. Finding the sweet spot -well thats a bit harder.
I have had a part time as needed studio assistant for over 30 years and am not letting her go yet. Next year we are going to try a new schedule -month ot two on month or two off.
I'm setting my xmas booth up today with wares-its my 42rd year in this shopping center. Booth runs 5-66 hours a day and I have sales help. I'll run it for 13 days this year. Fri-sat-sun. close for 3 days (will bisque and glaze and fire) then reopen thru and run everyday till midafternoon xmas eve.
Next year one local show and if I choose maybe this xmas booth-we shall see. I still have 7 -8 wholesale outlets as well selling my work daily.All local but one (my best one)
I'm done throwing this year a bit early for me.I think I have the most wares ever this time of year in stock.The economy has softened compared to last year which was over the top.
Sales have returned to normal this year .
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its was my quick typing without proof reading
I fixed itnow
If its glazed then you cannot put anything on top
glaze the whole piece except where it touches the kiln shelf
can you tell us if its only glazed on the top side??as that will pull it up or down
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If its NOT glazed fire another piece of slab over the top keeping a slight pressure on it..But not enough to flatten the humps
Also clay has memory so how you form this is very important .Over bending or overworking can make it act like this as well.
If its glazed on one side only this will pull it up as well
One thing I do know is the more you NEED it and the less time you have the more it will act up so make 3 or 4 of them and mix it up fire one say on its side the other with a slab on top as noted
squeeze one with bricks on its side
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You need to understand molds well for this-like NO undercuts for starters .
yes you need to make it smooth an firm and slippery.
I recall many years ago a gingerbread thred many do a search on that on main page as the slip cast page is new
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The places that make it best do instruction/classes and sell clay and materials/equipment. Workshops can also be a draw. They can be private or co-op with a board of directors but all require many people and lots of organization
In terms of being a potter only well that takes time and the right personality and drive
- Kelly in AK, Hulk, Roberta12 and 2 others
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In my outlets-meaning gallery gift shops and organic markets its always 100% perfect. In my shows its 99.9 perfect .S cracks are toast. Any flaws are extremely minimal and saved for later.
I have kept the seconds for my xmas booth these days and let a customer who buys a piece (a first) have a second for free (they are in a box nearby and they go very fast)
At one time I would take this same box to our local show and have them priced down. They went very fast then as well Now its the free box for buying customers at xmas. Its also a xmas good feeeling deal
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Is this a cone 6 body or high fire cone 10?
The opening should not be warping-is this area to thin? more clay needed ?
firing beyond the clay limits? B mix is just white stoneware and besides it uneven drying it should work fine.
I use a brass hole punch to make the spout holes-I have a few sets (kemper makes good ones) have a variety of sizes of punchs is a good idea as yoiu need a varity say for teapots and soap dishes or garlic keepers all different sizes work for different forms.
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Ok I showed up at noon and others where walking thru house buying up stuff. Looks like a small amount of my work had sold . . But the tables where still stuffed.I told the fellow for me its all or nothing deal. I made a quik rough list and and down sized my offer to 450 $ cash. I said I have the boxes and paper and will take only my work as there was other ceramics mixed in especailly on the floor under tables (not in the photos)He took the offer which is about 16 mugs for me sales wise these days. I boxed it into 6 Banana boxes full and dollyed it out feeling great. The womans sister spoke to me and said the lady (her sister) had a stroke and was in full time care now in North Caralina.I said she had the most work of any customer I ever knew of and gave her my card to thank the sister . I have never met here as 99% of all the work was from a few outlets and they all had the price labels and cards inside of them. Not my own show price labels but those of my Eureka outlets. The largest amout of stuff was from a co-op organic market I pulled out of a year ago as I am slowing it down with a plan. I put a care and feeding tag in every pot then and all those where still in every pot. Now I have a nearly a 35 cubic feet whole kiln worth of new old stock. Its insane really. In my 50 years I never in my dreams would expect this to happen. I'm selling the stock twice this time without having to make or glaze or fire it. Of couse prices have risen since I sold this originally so I'm really ahead . I'm making 4 dinner plates for the friend who sent me the info last night. She really came thru for me.
There where two tables of pots like the one photo as well as a bunch on the floor
Just when you think you have seen or heard it all -boom something new surfaces .
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So last night I got a message on facebook from a fellow Board member (art show board)
Seems a hoarder with money passed away and their is an estate sale this weekend. The photos show a few huge tables of packed to the gills with my work as well as a large floor area . The Estate guy was posting lots of photos of tons of collected stuff as this women had passed away and collected huge volumes of work . I called him an hour after the post went up to ask whats the deal. He said he was in a huge time crunch to emepty the house . He was not autioning it but hoping to sell it piece by piece ,nothing is priced. I let him know i made all that pottery . Looks to be about 8-12 boxes full. I said if the price was right I'll take it all. He siad any reasonable offer he would take. Now In all my ceramics life I =have never bought my work back from anyone. The pots look all new and not used as there was too much volume to use -she was collecting not using. He said since you are the maker how about coming a day early and see what you want so today at noon I'm going. My plan is buy it for about 25%of retail tops. . Then just put it into my inventory . I have a pile of cash to sweeten the deal. Tbis may all go south today just as easy so its far from a done deal but its one heck of a strange deal. The forms are glasses ,mugs and bowls of all sizes from stacks of large serving to cereal bowls. I can see few pots that are not mine (not interested in) in the mix as well. I'll post the outcome.
This is the most work of any one single customer by far and it looks like it was mostly bought at my gallery outlets.I can tell by the colors (some now discontinued) and color combos of when the work was made. I had no idea anyone custiomer pould ever own this much stuff from me. I'm hoping I may have known her as well. we shall see today-its a strange world out there.
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Its cruch time here as well. Shop heater is roaring-trimming like crazy bisque loading and then ....... I'll put up a post about this strange deal
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It works on both but best on bisque- If the item is green use your own clay fines to fill the crack. (mix your own clay fines with a bit of vinagar and water and fill greenware cracks. I fill the crack once bisqued and let it dry and sand it smooth then glaze. The line (where it is) is white so I usually cover with a dark glaze. This product works well but do not expect miracles .I never rebisque it -just let it dry sand smooth glaze and fire.If you need to glue it on use Aztec high fire cement. Mix it with your own clay body in small doses.
Used Bisque fix for many many years. They once made a greenware fix but took it off market years ago-that stuff was great .
I also use it a filler in a say a hole or chip missing piece. Good stuff but the price went up recently like all things.
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Its a huge mix from knowing a lot to clueless-like putting a teapot on open flame ( and breaking it the day he bought it) to heating bake ware up with oven and lasting decades.
The public is a petri dish of good bad and the down right clueless
As I slow it down with the public I will never miss the clueless ones.Only the ones who are aware .
- Hulk, Pres, Kelly in AK and 2 others
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Is it possible to make a living?
in Business, Marketing, and Accounting
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Hulk Glazing is one of my favorite parts (its never been throwing as most like)
I also love glaze making and testing-seeing the tests(usually a bust)
The firing (with gas) is the next favorite.