Pres

I have the same problem as you with the circuitry and loads @lindastone10. I have a 100 amp service, with a 20 amp on the lights and sockets with a 70 amp for the kiln, and then I have a 20 amp for the garage style radiant heater and fan. I just don't run the heat when running the kiln killing it at the breaker. Way I figure it if the kiln is firing it supplies heat, otherwise the heat is on only when I am in there or need to keep things from freezing solid. PS I run a lot of my own wiring, but have the breaker boxes done by a registered electrician who also checks my wiring. best, Pres

Yes it is Penn State, main campus. I haven't been in the facilities since the late 70's's so I have no idea what they have in kilns and studio space. best, Pres

There are alternative kilns that are build around a piece and fired, but they are fuel burning and limited in range. best, Pres

I have had several instances where student work needed minor and major repairs. I found that a combination of epoxy putty and epoxy glue would work on all of my problems. When the crack was small, I would use the epoxy glue, often working around areas where the cracks with epoxy glue would be tight, then when I had areas where there was not piece. . . fill the gap with the epoxy putty. Takes patience and time, but works really well. Finishing these was often a problem as colors of putty would not match the glazed surfaces. However, Acrylic paint works well if worked thin, and mixed to match adjoining areas. A spray sealant over the acrylic finish up for outdoor use. best, Pres

I know that some colleges with MFA programs had them in the 70's, as there was one at PSU where photos were taken with a table and chairs inside with people sitting around. Long time ago, and strange fond memory. best, Pres

@yams23Moved it back, sorry for the inconvenience. best, Pres

I moved the topic here as it is where it belongs, hope it doesn't cause any inconvenience @yams23 best, Pres

I'll be interested in your findings, as I use the 630 and will be ordering another batch of clay this Summer. best, Pres

I have never heard of a transparent matt, the closest thing I can think of that would come close would be a dry salt/soda firing. At the same time, with their bumpy surfaces in the images, I would really not want to eat out of them. best, Pres

Sorry to say, but some of us do not use instagram, could you please post the images on in your post? best, Pres

What I wouldn't give for 40 right now, but we get a warm spell next week. best, Pres

Hi folks, nothing new in the pool so I will pose a new question. Lately, I have been thinking about the Winter weather, and though it has been relatively mild, the sudden chills like Christmas weekend, and the last couple of days do concern me. Mostly I shut down in the shop until April, using some heat then when I am working. However, all Winter long I shut down, let things freeze and then in the Spring have to reconstitute the glazes, and wedge throwing clay, to get back to work. It works out, as the brick garage is a beast to heat, and only has electric. So I wonder what others do to compensate for winter weather. QotW: What are your Winter strategies for working in the shop or on pottery? best, Pres

Moving this to Equipment. best, Pres

I have found that if I really loved a piece, and there are a few, I would set the price at a value that I really felt that it was worth. Often around $500, some sold and others I still have and still display in the house. Funny about gifting family. . . years ago I used to gift pots, as I could not afford nice gifts. Over the years the quality of my work changed, and the value of nice gifts went up to where my pots were nicer gifts!. Most of my folks are happy to have a nice teapot, colander, fish dish or casserole for two. My one sister has a high shelf that has nothing but her brothers fine ware. best, Pres

Hi folks, since there is not new question in the QotW pool, I will pose one. I am going to cheat on this one as there is a post recently about regrets selling a piece of potter. Since it is already asked once, not a good idea to post it again, but I will open it up a bit to repost. QotW: In your pottery life, do you have any regrets about your journey with clay over the years? Personally, I have had regrets over the years, that really changed as I got older. At first I regretted that I hadn't gone for my MFA, instead of a MS in Art Education. At the time I was teaching large classes (30-35) in a large HS in central PA. I had a family, and there just wasn't anywhere nearby to get the degree that didn't require 2 yrs of residency. I couldn't do it. The ide of College teaching, and higher pay with more time with the clay was the draw, but providing for the family was the reality. Years later, I came to the realization that College teaching was not much greater than HS. . . .I taught grad courses for a local college in education along with undergrad courses. The same rules seemed to exist, college athletes got preferential treatment and even adults could be excessively lazy. As I got older and had more under my belt the pay increased, and the last ten years were great, and then retirement. . . .that to has been above my expectations. I still miss the classroom so I help out on Saturdays in the Winter. . . . . Regrets? None now! best, Pres

I guess the difference for me is that the liner glaze is very durable and requires no glaze overtop, at the same time spraying on decoration with 3 other glazes 2 opaque breaking textured glazes and one transparent glaze gives me a lot of room for variation and lots of fun. best, Pres

@Crooked Lawyer PotterThin the glaze a bit and make a quicker dip. best, Pres

I have been using a Hazelnut Brown from SC, it fires a darker red brown, and most of my glazes were to dark for it. However, I have found that a liner glaze that I use works well over the dark clay, and then I apply my other glazes with an airbrush or dipped over it. It also works very well to finger swipe areas of the white liner before applying the other glazes. best, Pres

I replaced all of the old fluorescent bulbs in the shop within the last 5 years. The amount of light the new ones put out and the quality of the light is astounding. I much prefer the LED's and wonder why I waited so long. best, Pres

I once was throwing with some clay I have wedged in college. Seems someone put an old rib in the slop bucket that got broken up in the pug mill. . . I did have cuts after doing the cone up and down the second time. . . . really was not comfortable throwing for a while, and it taught me to bread stack the clay after cutting a couple of times before hand wedging or throwing the clay. Larger pieces takes time for the small bits to show up. Felt like an idiot, but lesson learned. best, Pres

Retired. . . .who is retired. . . . Seems like I am settling well into another life, bowling 3 times a week, just getting ready to start restocking shelves in the library for more reading, have heat replacement to install in the shop, and undecorating for Christmas yet to complete. Seems like I work more now than when in my past life. best, Pres

The thing with pottery is the glaze firing takes time to reach @1000F. which is the quartz inversion from alpha to beta quartz afterwards a faster but steady fire to glaze temps around 2000F. for stoneware. My limited experience with forges to melt/anneal or other work with metals would tell me nix on using it with glaze firing pottery. All IMHO but the best I have. best, Pres

AS always @Marcia Selsor you are an inspiration! best, Pres

Recent entry in the QotW pool comes from @Bam2015. .. my suggestion for a QOTW is: As an artist, when feeling 'stuck,' what helps to inspire or motivate you? Do you look at Instagram photos, read self help or art books, take a walk in nature, etc? I think we have had this question asked in a similar form in the early Summer of last year, but good thing to return to. As all of you know, I have a lot of books, and magazines on ceramics, and other art techniques. I often return to these looking for inspiration and ideas on new forms, textures, and techniques to keep the creative juices going. Often thoughts do not come from the ceramics books, but the watercolor, photography or landscape books especially in the winter. QotW:As an artist, when feeling 'stuck,' what helps to inspire or motivate you? Do you look at Instagram photos, read self help or art books, take a walk in nature, etc? best, Pres

If you were working with a slump mold, I would decorate before shaping on the form, but you have the right idea about the slump mold, as you would blur your decoration in areas trying to get it to shape into the slump mold. @old lady has a good idea for the woven curtain fabric, another option is saran wrap. I have also used tools that have a small ball on the end for incised lines as it does not raise as much of a burr, these also glide easily over saran wrap on clay as do roller stamps. best, Pres