Pres

Hi folks, no new topics in the pool so once again. . . . QotW: What do you think will be your best selling new item in this coming year? I ask this because we have been discussing paradigm shifts, rules for shared studio use, HS classroom restriction/modifications, expense changes, time changes, all to deal with a virus covid-19. I hate to say it, but to me it would seem that we should be prepared to pull out our masks and modifications in the future, not just this year. However, there may be opportunities. There were for mask makers I am sure. I am having to make modifications to chalices so that the symbol is still present, but the use of a pouring spout to allow pouring several small communion glasses for safety. I think it will be the new normal for my sales, having had two requests already, one form a large seminary school, and another from a national religious non profit. There may be those of you adding dispenser bottles for hand sanitizers and other things. there may be some of you working on other types of things I cannot even fathom. . . . so: QotW: What do you think will be your best selling new item in this coming year? best, Pres

Fantastic! best, Pres

Yeah, I used the electric raku outside with and extension cord, always unplugged before opening kiln. Don't know as a problem, but read in one text where hot air is a conductor so I took precautions. Better safe.. . . . best, Pres

I guess all too often the things that cause the most concern at the moment, in retrospect, can bring the most laughter. We realize our stupidity when it happens or just after, but learn the lesson. best, Pres

Mark C. asked a question in the QotW pool this week, that is a different take: What are other activities that influence your ceramic work or keep you mentally healthy other than daly directly. For me its other passions that are just like clay. I have to do them-what are yours.? I have often mentioned my bowling, and my kayaking. This last several months has been tough on both. Bowling has been canceled until Fall, the leagues are done. Most bowling alleys are opening, every other alley. The largest population of bowlers is older, so it is doubtful if there will much in the way of tournaments or other larger bowling venues in my area. Kayaking, has been on hold, as last fall I purchased a new Mazda 3 hatchback, and will have to spend a bit to get a new rack to fit the car. strange to see a 16 ft. sea kayak on a Mazda 3, but that is what I have been carrying them on. Actually two of them when my wife or someone else is along. All in all these things are exercise, stress relief, and recreation. So once again, QothW: What are other other activities that influence your ceramic work or keep you mentally healthy other than daly directly. best, Pres

Here in PA, we are on the down turn, but then we have 89K+ cases and still around 450 per day. best, Pres

I have noticed a very high number of people in our local populations have stopped wearing masks. I also have heard from businesses that they are afraid to confront those do not wear masks even though their place of business says you must wear a mask outside the door. I wear a mask, and try to frequent businesses where people wear masks, we still have not gone to local restaurants other than take out. We have stopped going to businesses where they seem to have thrown up their hands about the mask rule. I notice that many states with relaxed rules are seeing a bigger uptick in infections, so I will do everything I can to stay safe. All in my humble opinion, best, Pres

Which way Ben, the wooden form or the larger extruder. I did make several wooden forms for the HS after the workshop. The worked well, and students used them over the years for soap dishes, fancy boxes and other items. I returned to the HS after I retired, and the new teacher had cleaned house throwing out most of the tools and items she did not believe in or understand. Wooden forms were on, a GG nearly got thrown out before I showed her what it was. Sometimes you wonder. I do not have access to a deep throat band saw anymore, so it would be difficult to make the form. Could do it in pieces with my jig saw and laminate together, but that is a lot of work. best, Pres

Yeah I miss having access to the big Bailey's that we had at school, but have a small electric rig to make handles. I think the idea is neat, but then I like the thrown idea also. Years ago, I attended a John Glick workshop at ART, and he demonstrated a wood for for a vanity soap dish. The cheese hard slab was placed in the hinged wooden form, and two slabs were fitted to the top while in the form. The first slab was joined on, and using a sponge stretched to make water catch. The second slab was also done the same way not stretching as much. then drain holes were added to the bottom of the second slab carefully not to go through the bottom slab. Also added a drain hole at the inside edge of the second slab to be able to drain the water while cleaning. After all done a screen door hook was loosened on the wooden form and hinges on opposite side let you open it up tor trim everything to the side walls of the cheese hard slab placed in the beginning. very elegant and functional. best, Pres

Mea, throw your old form with and inner wall up. Cut out the center of the inner wall to drain to the bottom lip, but still holding the soap. best, Pres

Mark, I am really not looking to get into it too deep, but if you send a few my way, I can always say no. Otherwise, I'd leave it alone. The Savannah thing fell through, and I miss it not at all. best, Pres

I have been working on a regular slab made butter dish. I made the mistake of making one as a request from a niece for Christmas last year. Others in the family saw it, and decided they needed one. So I instead of doing a one off, several times I came up with this set up. I am using a thin piece of plastic between the form and the slab of clay, as it makes removal a breeze, and the plastic stretches into the corners of the form. I use rollers and stamps to decorate the slab pieces. The 2X4 is covered on one side with an extra layer of rubber backed felt to bring the form up to the correct width. I recently had a custom stamp made of a design I created in Corel Draw that is uses my symbol/signature as a basis. I have still not fired any of these, but don't foresee any issues. best, Pres

19 states showing increases this week. Hpe things simmer down as far as the virus goes. Looks like potters are pretty smart, or maybe just a bit older. best, Pres

Hi folks, Once again, no new questions in the QotW pool, so I have been considering what may be of interest. Here in Pennsylvania, we are moving into what they call Green stage across the state with businesses opening up with fewer restrictions. My question for all of you, knowing the different regions are doing the same is: QotW: How are you going about the "re-opening of the economy"? My wife and I are both in our early 70's, healthy, but not willing to expose ourselves too early. When it comes to working in the shop, that is fine, but then I would not consider doing a street show or any other sort of event this Summer. I shudder to think of what the consequences will be considering the large gatherings of the last few weeks, only time will tell. I also believe there will be some pop up sort of street sales, as somebody decides to take advantage of the lack of organized arts or craft shows. I won't do them. We still wear masks everywhere we go, and limit ourselves to some of the things we used to do, like visiting my 93 year old father 140 miles away from us. Things will be slow for a while, and I feel we have to be patient, but then we are retired, and patience seems to be easier. Once again: QotW: How are you going about the "re-opening of the economy"? best, Pres

Welcome to the forum! The answer to your question is something that varies from State to State. I would go to the State website to check on the possible requirements and licenses. Special need individuals have protections that are needed obviously. You could check with local special needs agencies for more help. best, Pres

Rick, Check out some of my earlier blog posts. There is a post that shows using a plumbing set up for trimming chalice stems. Your problem involves a little more ingenuity. First I would look for a 3" to 2" reducer, or any PVC reducer that would help you start. Double sided tape on the bottom would allow you to attach it to the GG. Then use your GG arms to hold the bottle in place. Take a walk through the plumbing section, lots of possibilities there, and I hope that looking at some of my tools will help you out. Near the Chalice trimming post is a post on a reducer used to trim lids to an exact diameter. That may help also. best, Pres

GG is just one more skill/tool for use in the tool rack. Doesn't hang on a hook to well though! best, Pres

I was trimming some lids today, on the GG. Came to one that needed some diameter correction to fit into the canister. As I was already using the GG, I shifted off the lid, grabbed a plastic plumbing pipe reducer, and centered it with the GG, dampened the reducer, centered the lid and trimmed the edge without the pads causing me to move when I went by them. Lid trimmed well. best, Pres

Hi folks, I have been putting off on a QotW; couldn't think of one. However their was a recent strand discussing the venting of a kiln where the potter said the significant other was not shelling anymore money out to vent the kiln. Min made reference to me that it would be a good QotW. I tried to set up a question that would be related to all members of one family, and how they feel about the time, the money, the dirt or other factors we deal with when working with clay. So this weeks question is. .. . (drum roll, hear it!) QotW: What is the feeling of your family as related to your studio addiction? My situation over the years has been mainly positive when it comes to playing in the clay. I took it in school, I taught it, I did shows for years that helped to fund meager Summer vacations for a family of four camping. I put together my own studio, and worked most of the Summers making pots, and some of the Fall and Spring. How does my wife feel about it? She encourages/forces me to get out in the shop, as she knows that when I'm a bear or restless, the clay will settle me down. She also benefits by some nice pieces, and some rejects in the house. When the children were young, they were not interested in getting dirty, or working with the clay, nor even interested in watching. My granddaughter is the same way, but she is into art and getting to be quite an acrylic artist doing 2-3 paintings a month. . . hope she keeps it up. My wife took classes in college, probably to be with me, but she knows enough about it we talk about what I am doing and suggests other possibilities. So in the end, I would say there are very little negatives, other than the fact that for a few years the water pump in the washing machine would go out more often, which I would replace. best, Pres

Truly, some skills are archaic, but something to be said for the basics. That said, I never. . . . never allowed students to use the GG until they had mastered centering with clay chocks or water to hold center/hold down then to trim. The idea that when they would go to college, or another studio or have their own, maybe there would or wouldn't be a GG. If only one, do you wait to trim a mug, or try to learn how to get along with out. My belief is to be able to do without, then never have to rely on the technology. I taught at a HS with 6 wheels, and usually had 6-12 students in the Ceramics 2 classes. With one GG in the early years, you can see how there would be a problem. Take that to a college or studio direction where there may be 20 students. Do you buy 20 GG's? best, Pres

I have been using a GG since they first came out years ago. I had at that time been doing all of the other options, centering on wheel head, wet thrown chucks, bisque thrown chucks, hump chucks for bowls, bowl chucks. All that said, when it came to large platters, or chalices, or really tall narrow vases, pitchers with pulled and uneven tops, or some other pieces, these options were often frustrating or inadequate. Along came the GG, and I first relearned how to trim, how to place the arms for best trimming, when to use just the pads on the bottom or use arms or use the reversed pads for large diameters. Then I started using plumbing parts to create chucks for things like chalice stems, or trimming honey jar lids or other pieces. Go back to not using the GG, NEVER! Do I still center by hand, on occasion, but compare the time for 50 mug trims by hand centering and by using a GG. The experienced GG user will beat the centering by hand easily, and the result is the same. IMHO best, Pres

Great wheels in their day, I had an HP and an MP in the HS. They are still there running well. The HP was my favorite. Splash pans.. . . I tried to find replacements, but never could. I guess best bet is to make one out of a plastic bin. Still the large table was a plus, and tools were easily organized as there was lots of space. If I remember correctly there were two or 3 adjustment areas in the control box on the wheel itself, it allowed you to set speed, at pedal up and down, torque to some degree, and pedal graduation. Not certain, but seems right. best, Pres

Yeah Mark, my lid is not hinged as I switch between 3&4 sections. I have had this set up for years, then about 5 years ago I put on a new thicker lid, and added a second handle. I lift the lid off of the floor to put it on the kiln no matter how many sections, not a problem. However, the handles are sheet metal hollow rounded. the handle broke near the end of the grip close to the screw plates. best, Pres