Hulk

Autodidact, that's a new word for me, thanks! Ah'm believing that my throwing is improving some; mainly it is studying others' work (and my own) and observing others (YouTube, mostly) that guides my focus on what to try, what needs improving, etc. There are very structured approaches to skill building for some disciplines, and some of these very structured approaches actually work well - recall, for those of you who had the experience, the tedium and pain of a full semester of keyboarding (formerly "typing")! If you came out rocking sixty or more words a minute (even thirty, ha), it was worth it, right? ...especially for those who spend/spent years running a keyboard (like me!). Are there many self taught keyboarders rocking sixty wpm? Compare/contrast the teaching of reading (there is current analysis of widespread failure in the teaching of reading, btw), where the better structured approaches ease those who struggle up to full speed ahead, and the poorer structured approaches cripple. ...and that is my point; for those who are a "natural" the approach/method/strategy may not be as important. For those who struggle, a progressive, structured, flexible/varied approach can make all the difference in terms of achieving mastery, overcoming ineffective (bad) habits, etc. This point comes from my experience in the teaching of and training in swimming, from basic skill only through competition at highest levels and all in-a between. I did not see (and still don't see) much really good swimming instruction, and what is good isn't varied - it's good for a fraction of the audience, at best. I'm not expecting to find a throwing mentor, however, will try to keep an open mind! Before returning to school, I worked in the painting trade (having turned my back on teaching). I'd learned to spray airless and conventional; I was very good at it, and don't mind saying so, lol! ...wasn't much of a brush and roll guy though, not until I worked with someone who could really go, AND put me on a program to build the skills. There's a lot to handling paint tools that most of the world has no clue about. So I was a good sprayer, but my mentor helped me become a master, and also a good brush and roll as well. I was lucky, eh? ...same guy set up an intervention which lead to me going back to school for CS, changed my life, thanks Ron. There are good mentors out there... Any road, thanks for the responses!

Nice swirls Min! Are those shelves wafer board? ...just curious; also curious what your bats are made of. May I suggest puttin' these in'ar?

What (in a functional piece) elicits "I love this" for you?

Like your adjustable pointer, also the inverted for drying choice, which slows drying at the vulnerable rim, and exposes the thickest part - da footring - to speed drying there, whilst capturing atmosphere within, to temper/slow the overall rate (haven't watched the vid yet :O )...

Thanks Lady, been putting off new cutting wires - I want some useful length ones, as you described, with rings, and a few framed ones as well.

Still curious what mentor/mentee experiences others have had with regard to throwing? I started at the local JC Ceramic lab, where short demonstration introduces skills required for upcoming assignments, then practice. From there, anyone struggling and/or having questions and/or asking for help would get some one on one or small group. I as (still am) ok with that. I have/am learning by practice, making mistakes, and observing others. Isn't it interesting what we see when observing others - particularly what we didn't see earlier? ...aha! That said, having designed and delivered structured practice for skill development, aaand having received structured instruction in skill development, I believe expert guidance and instruction can be very positive (can be - what works for some does not work well for others, see Bernice McCarthy's 4mat ideas, which blow up sensory learning models...). My guess is most throwers observe, practice, and make mistakes...

Two utensil holders (cylinders), one for throwing tools, the other trimming tools - tools that I actually use - switch places in the wheel's built in tray, right next to the one gallon water bucket; next to the holder are three tools that are used for both activities, needle tool, flexible metal rib, cut piece o' sponge. Right next to the wheel, a small table supports a slop plate (pie plate) that receives bits to be recycled, also a pen, pencil, and a dirty piece of paper to write notes on't'. In front of the wheel, a milk crate supports the other utensil holder, and two polishing/smoothing tools. Most other tools are on tool shelf - spares/duplicates, rarely used tools, glazing tools …in utensil holders, small plastic toolbox. Wire tool (used to have two, hrrmm, have to get another one) sits next to wedge board, mostly, else next to slop plate. Key for me being put the tool in "its place" - and when done for now, cleaned as well. In the machine shop, in the building trades, at the steel mill, in the local JC ceramic studio - have seen, on one hand, folk casting about for a frequently used tool (which may or may not be ready for use), as it/they are put down in different places, depending; on the other hand, folk who snap up the ready tool, as it has "a place!" ...big difference, imo. That said, the extremes of tool organization are demonstrated by beginners through the most experienced and skilled, it seems...

Could you post some pics Denice?

Six years JohnnyK? Gettin' any mold yet? I'm using plastic one gallon size planters - drain holes taped- over pieces to slow drying, two and five gallon buckets over larger pieces; periodic spray of water arrests drying - mold begins to form after a week or so. The weight of plastic sheeting can distort/mar wet pieces - then I'm sad. Plastic sheeting, so many perils! ...wind, falling things, bump - oops, stick to wet clay, drying clay flakes off and blows aroun', etc. I do like the wet box idea, hmmm ...which involves removing from the bat. Other equipment/tools: Commercial grade mop, bucket and wringer Large (Hulk sized) sponges ("grout sponge" and/or large clean up sponge, car washin' sponge, etc.) - sees all sponge work except where small and/or purpose cut piece of sponge is required Credit Bill Van Gilder on purpose cut sponge bits Inexpensive plastic calipers (leave the spendy metal ones in their case, in the drawer) handy for many things! "Standard" gallery/lid sizes (e.g. on the half inch - the only standard unit measurement in my studio!) - Bill Van Gilder on this one as well No guess foot trimming; get rim to inside bottom (millimeters for me), invert, trim - subtract overall from initial to get base thickness. You can tap, feel, just "know" if'n't works for you. Straight edges - an old hacksaw blade is about the right size for me, for most things. If straight, they stay straight (very little sag), light, rounded corners... handy! Rulers - six and fifteen inch stainless, inches and mm Hacksaw blade trimmers and chatterers - grind off the teeth, heat and bend, grind shape and edge(s), voila! A file touches up the edge just fine. Credit Hsin-Chuen Lin on repurposed hacksaw blades Pointer/pin tool ground from an old screwdriver. I like the handle, it's shorter than the pottery tool, it doesn't roll around, and easy to pick up. Light! Repurposed articulated arm desk lamp and clip on utility lights put the light where I need it; overhead two tube eight footer doesn't hurt. Buckets and bins, lots. Each clay has slurry bucket for reclaim, a bin for dried/drying reclaim. There's a settling bucket for wheel and clean up water - use, reuse, reuse reuse… Ditto on shelving, lots! I've built one big heavy shelf along one side, which I've set two large bookshelves on (and pinned to the wall); there's enough room under said shelf to store five gallon buckets. Above that, track shelving; on the other three walls, more track shelving - adjustable, no floor footprint, strong. Quality dust mask - use it! Medium size "French" kitchen whisk fitted with pin for chucking up in the battery powered screw driver - whip that glaze! Medium size straight scraper for corners of glaze buckets, where that ^ whisk doesn't quite reach, corner and edges broken just enough such that glaze bucket isn't scratched. Tile grout mixer chucks up in half inch power drill, makes reclaim almost fun (open doors and windows to vent the ozone) - don't be huffin' ozone! Oooh, there's prolly more, but I'd have to go look. :O

Hi PD! We're still waitin'! <bump>

Good question - depends! Contemplating over the last few several days - where does the "compel" come from? Somewhere near the top of my list would be thrift and curiosity, also the wish to acquire mastery*. In ceramics, all are factors for me; mixing one's glazes (should be) less expensive, where curiosity - how does it work - should be a help! How far to go? When the I'm getting the results I want, we'll just have to see from there, eh? So far, I have a few keepers: Wollastonite Clear looks like a home run on the buff, and particularly the red stoneware; Van Gilder's Teal Blue and Variegated; Lakeside Pottery Clear Blue. I want a few shades of green, a red, white, light blue, and clear that works on bmix and light red clays. Hooowever, throwing is the thing; if/when I'm ever satisfied with my throwing, mebbe time to quit. I'm just not finding a rabbit warren of throwing - there's studying how others do, and practice practice practice; there isn't much to read. Other pursuits Literature - first degree, English lit, was curious what goes into making a good story. While I still enjoy stories - all kinds - and indulge in analysis (mostly kept to myself), I drifted away from serious study quite some time ago. Competitive swimming - over twenty years of coaching, and the decade of competition afore that, I devoured everything written about the sport, technique and training; I just wanted to know what worked and why, then see my team excel (which they did). Competitive cycling - there's much less technique involved, haha! I do all my own maintenance, because it's cheaper, and more consistent; it's not easy to find a good wheelbuilder, and if/when you find one, she/he will eventually drift away... A few years ago I ramped off reading everything I could get my hands on - didn't have any new questions, really, and interest in pottery had latched on 'bout then. Good question - looking back, I've been actively researching something(s) for quite some time now; maybe it's just good for me to be trying to learn something new. *Mastery, hmm, maybe I'm still trying to impress my Dad? Well, looking back, the subjects I dove into have something in common - I just love doing them, so put that inna ya pipe and smoke it!

My shelves are filling up with green ware too - gotta bisque soon! ...made some room, drilled all the crazed stuff, put'm outside on the potting shelves (potting of plants) with raised bed mix + sand and succulent starts, aah, better! ...the repurposed crazies are mixed in with another project - cuttings and rootlings from front yard favourites for after the decimation to come, new septic tank and leach field. I plan to bury a few pots next to the new tank for the space alien archeologists to find in the far someday o' th' future. Best wishes for your husband's complete recovery Denise! ...note to all anywhere near fifty, don't put off your scope session!! And for those +fifty, don't put off your follow up scope sessions!

Hi Bloomfield! Curious, are you placing cone packs on each shelf? ...makes each firing a bit more expensive, however, you'll get clear indication of heat work achieved at each level. I see some variance between levels, and the cone in my sitter gives way a bit early. I'm watching the cone packs through the peeps (with appropriate eye protection) for the final shut down. I'm also using a pyrometer for real time feedback, helpful for slowing down through the critical temperature ranges, and managing the initial cool down/hold - also helpful for note taking - repeatability is science! I'm mitigating heat work variance by adjusting the load on each level - sizes, weight, density - and staggering half shelves. My kiln came with a full set of brand new half shelves! Initially I found half shelves to be a pia! ...now I love'm, as I'm getting much more even heat, and firing more pieces in each load (pieces with wide rims - bowls - at the edges of staggered shelves).

"Hulk, Is that a self-cleaning wheel???" yesh! ...ah do clean it myself... that pic was shot after first turn on that wheel, over a year ago. I do wipe it down after every use, but not quite to showroom level.

Condolences Chilly. ...I'm still noting topics for next conversation with Dad - coming up will be twelve years - Mom was always easy to chat with, Dad, I kept/keep a running list of things to talk 'bout. I believe Mom watches out for me; coming up will be five years ...dozens of occasions I'll have a random thought to turn here, stop and check a tire, etc. right before a tight spot; thanks Mom!

...yesterday's TED Radio Hour (err, Friday's - local broadcasts it Tuesday afternoon?) was interestin'.

… reflections on 61+ years in this life, local Public Radio, KPIG (also radio), mp3 library - all through 6.1 surround sound, the local birds (when door is open), passing neighbors, an' good ol' Jack the Nanday conure.

Add scale, dust mask (not a throwaway), graduated cylinder, Epsom salt and/or vinegar, several sizes of kitchen whisk (already mentioned, however, I have one chucked up in my lightweight portable drill - lighter than the 1/2" corded drill + grout mixer), long scraper to check for globs on bucket bottom and particularly the corners, screens/sieves, masking tape, razor blades and utility knife, wax emulsion, map gas torch, assortment of brushes, grout sponges, bucketS, small/purpose cut sponges, patience to wait for stuff to dry, more patience. Haven't been into tongs at all, might give it a go...

...learnin' t'shift vernacular gears, yep, good skill to have; agreed that adding new gears can be difficult. I feel a bit lucky having moved about the world several times as a young lad, hence some exposure to languages, definitely classes, and some culture as well - not that I have a great ear or nuthin', mebbe better'n average.

Good reading, Maki's blog, thanks. Perhaps slightly related, production management's (ultra western/US) take on The Toyota Way during my years in the steel mill; 'bout the only takeaway I heard was "just in time" notion, where capital isn't tied up in inventory that isn't moving. Some reading led me to believe there's more to it, way. What resonated for me was the simple idea of sit in this chair all day; at end of day, what did you see?

Westinghouse sent my Pop to retirement workshops (circa 1990), scared the effluent out'm! ...the stats - what happens when folk retire - don't look good. I've been aroun' enough myself to see a lil' bit, particularly in mid level public service (education) an' on the union side o' th' steel industry*, where retirement plan headlines often feature take it easy, nothin', couch, etc. for so many who have worked very hard for a long long time. Hence, my theory is that we "juice up" for what's on our calendar; when working, that was (for me) ~5:30 to ~2:00 + M-F go time, add in other stuff, e.g. pt, family events, home projects, competitions, etc. From there, if there ain' items/events to juice up for, what happens (if y'need it spelled out, y'not gettin' it)? There's gotta be a big juice up just about every day, an' several small ones as well. That said, retirement can be, perhaps should be - awesome! I recommend it. I truly hope e'body who get this far will have the choice to retire (not everyone gets to retire!) and will carefully ponder what all gets them excited, then go and rock it hard and regular; don' forget to find a way to contribute to your community as well, it is very important. What Liam wrote, true 'nough, however, I feel very sad on readin' that. *In the plant I worked in, union workers had to park waaay over there, hence at minimum four or more miles o' walkin' ebery work day. Top o'that, add hours of on the feet time and lots of movement. So many don't replace just the movement - even v e r y s l o w movement - on retirement. Sad. Keep it movin'. We're never "done" - til' done.

Hope your healing progresses quickly an' with th' thoroughness! ...inna meantime, low table, rolling chair?

thank you!

a few more variegated over bmix is bluer teal blue Lakeside Pottery clear blue really shows thickness differences - I've got some work to do here Aardvark light blue gloss variegated over red is greener faux celedon

Unloaded second glaze firing Sunday last, looking forward to th' third! From top left, clockwise Some bmix bowls, teal blue, light blue gloss, variegated glazes; chattering highlighted with underglaze and/or glaze, clear over. Clear glazes crazed on every bmix piece except one, ; the other glazes behaved well, except the light blue crazed some over bmix Some red clay pieces, teal blue, variegated, white, faux celadon and clear glazes, chattering highlighted with underglazes bmix bowls, light gloss blue over bmix Closeup of variegated over red clay; looks bluer over white clay. I love this one - from Bill van Gilder's book (the blue teal is from his book as well*) Closeup of faux celadon over bmix, same highlighted chattering; this is variation of Marcia's recipe The lessons, so far, fairly typical sieve them glazes adjust sg and jellyness of glazes to hit thickness without running and dripping cone pack on each level be able to see the cones when approaching target temp be careful loading and unloading toss flawed pieces into recycle pile - don't let them take up time, nor space don' expect glaze that fits this clay ok to also fit that clay :| test test, learn learn, repeat *I'll post recipes if anyone's interested