Hulk

I don't have a kitchen table. Just a counter in a galley-type space.  So, I was taking a break from prepping freezer foods "for the duration" and came to read the CAD forums---saw this topic. Went back to the kitchen and took a pic of the reduced produce bananas I scored today--62 cents for 6 good ones--that I am cutting into chunks to freeze and at some point thaw for going into yogurt or cover with melted dark chocolate.  Then I hear a racket outside.  Oh-it's you again! This bear has been visiting me for 4 years now,  1 of 3 baby cubs, when big mama used to come too.  I forgot that it's now time to bring in the feeders and suet holder. 

Ha!  I'm also baking.  Making enough to stash some cookies and cakes in the freezer for the heat of the summer.  I also make my own sourdough bread but don't have a recipe.  I've been doing it for so long that I more or less do it by feel.  But I also use some white flour, some whole wheat, throw in some ground flax and some sunflower seeds and if I have anything else appropriate that goes in too.  I make 2 loaves which last us a couple of weeks.  The bread is usually baked by sometime in the evening at which time we each have a fresh slice with butter.  It gets plastic bagged over night and is easy to slice in the morning.  Then I use strips of plastic between each slice, double bag it and pop it into the freezer. Bought bread tastes really bland now.  L

I found enough ingredients in my kitchen to make a Shoo Fly Pie. This is one of my favorite pies, so simple and down to earth, easy to make. I’m down to my last slice. Plate by Christy Knox. Photograph by Laura DeNardo.

1 9-inch pie crust
1 cup molasses
3/4 cup hot water
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 egg beaten
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 tbsp butter or shortening
 
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Combine molasses, hot water, and baking soda. Stir well. Whisk in beaten egg. Pour mixture into pie shell.
In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter/shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle on top of molasses layer.
Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Lower temp to 350 degrees and bake an additional 30-40 minutes. 

With everyone stuck in their homes, people are spending a lot of time in the kitchen. We thought it would be fun to share what we've been cooking, and the pots that are part of the process. Please share the culinary delights you've been creating during lockdown, and the recipe!
I'll go first: I've been making sourdough bread for quite a while, but have only just become confident and competent with it in the last couple of years, thanks to Instagram and Youtube, and the wealth of information that has been shared. I make a loaf almost every week on Sunday or Monday (my days off), that I mostly use for sandwiches and panini, and on Sunday mornings I make French toast with the week old leftovers.
The loaf pictured below I just made yesterday, and it's one of the best I've ever done. I used 550 grams of flour (30% whole wheat and 70% organic white flour), 10g sea salt, 72% hydration, and 100g of 50/50 starter. I only use whole wheat in my starter. I cook my bread in a cast iron Dutch oven, preheated for 45 minutes at 450F before putting the bread in. The first 20 minutes of the bake are with the lid on, then I drop the temp to 430F until it's done, about 25 minutes more.
Most of the sourdough breads you see on Instagram are high hydration (80% or more) and have a really open crumb, which makes for great photos. But it's terrible for sandwiches because the mayo or butter or Italian dressing or whatever you like to put on your sandwich tends to go right through and get all over your hands. At lower hydration I get a tighter crumb that's still light and soft, but closed enough to make a decent sandwich.
The bowl I use to mix my bread dough is a cone 10 reduction porcelain bowl I made about 12 years ago. It has a  water etched swirl pattern and a true celadon glaze- reduced iron, not a green stain. It's slightly flawed, like many of my pots that I've kept for my own use, with a small hole in the wall from an impurity that burned out of the clay. It's a good sized bowl, big enough to be used as a popcorn bowl, and probably bigger than I need for making bread, but it's nice to have the extra space when mixing.
 
 
 

Simple hand building project if anyone is looking for something different to try for a change of pace. My soft slab (olive) boat, it's an easy project, would be good for kids to make too. Turn it into a viking ship or ? I don't have any glazed right now but a couple bisqued ones in the last image.
Supplies needed:
Soft clay
Rolling pin 
1 1/4 - 2 1/2” diameter dowel wrapped in newspaper (or long thin rolling pin, diameter isn’t critical)
Pony roller or piece of plastic
Cornstarch (optional)
Supports if you use soft clay
1 - Template is 19” overall length, 4 1/4” wide. Each side measures 15 1/2”. Soft slab, cut out the pattern. Don’t worry about getting the ends exactly as I have them, you can just use one gentle curve from the point to the opposite side. If you want texture on the outside of the boat do it now.
2 - On the long edges use a pony roller and soften the edge. If you don’t have a pony roller just use a piece of thin plastic, hold it taunt and run your finger along the edge. (2a)
2a- Flip the piece over, if you want texture on the inside do it now. Soften the long edges on this side too.
3 - Cover up the ends and lightly dust the clay with cornstarch. Since my clay is very wet I don’t like to use a pounce, I just load a brush with cornstarch and tap the brush over, but not touching, the clay.
4 - Lift the slab and lay it cornstarch side down over the dowel wrapped in newsprint. 
5 - Press the clay around the dowel then flatten the bottom with a small rolling pin or pony roller. The dowel I use is a bit narrow so I lift one end up while doing this so I don’t crush the long edges of the slab.
6 - Moisten the ends with just a few drops of water if you are using soft clay. If you use firmer clay then use a tiny bit of slip. Bring the long edges together at the ends of the slab and pinch the lower edges together. I keep a slight overlap so I can fold the overlap over and work it in with a rib so the boat doesn’t leak. 
7 - Roll the top pointed ends into spirals, covering the join.  One ends rolls to the left, the other to the right. Transfer the boat to a drying board.
8 - Straighten out the rim, flute the edges if you like. I use bendable hair rollers to support the sides while drying. Clay coils would work too. I’ve found with my clay I need to dry these slowly or they lift up in the centre. You could also put a small weight in the centre to help prevent it lifting. 
Would love to see some other projects here!
(Sorry but I can't get the numbers to show up on the images, read left to right 1-8)


 

Not on my workbench, but next to my workbench. Yesterday I finished up redoing my kiln venting system, and cleaned out the kiln area. What a mess it was! The old duct was in bad shape, and the motors were shot. Back when I moved into this space in 2008, I had them put in an 8" duct in the roof, which would give me plenty of options for the future. An 8" duct can go down to two 6" ducts, which can each go down to two 4" ducts. So for this setup I've got two new downdraft vent motors mounted to the wall. They can each run up to 20 cubic feet of kilns, so I've got both attached to my big kiln, and the medium kiln shares one of them. The black ducts are Blo-R-Vac hose, which you can get at McMaster Carr. It's got a metal coil in it so it can't be easily crushed, and it's pretty much impervious to corrosion. It's rated to 250F, about 100F above the temp of the air going through it. The extra 6" duct at the top will be getting an inline 400cfm fan to pull some heat out of the space. I've never had a fan in there before, but I thought it would be nice in the summer to pull some of the heat out of there. I'm still waiting for the fan to arrive from Amazon.
 

Oooh, I like all those too, even Simon, haha, "Oh Hi there, how are you, potters, friends, utubers?"
Ton a day Isaac Button, classic; first of four segments https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmG5NOmQy_4
Michael Casson, here's one of his - there are a few others https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19YjNGEtUYo (I like his book too)
Still watching this one 'bout once a month,
Genji Shimizu (artist name Hokujoh) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybb-HhSrtxA&t=8s   NHK Ceramic Treasures series - some great stuff here https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUCSFSJSz477hmqwO98PWp940W_voWW7W  Clinton Pottery clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs2tUxKQIic&t=70s
Tim See - not seeing many potters anchoring hand on the away side to center - works for him https://www.youtube.com/user/timseepots
...where's the German lady, and the Swedish lady, hrrrm… (still looking)
Add Bill Van Gilder https://www.youtube.com/user/vangilderpottery/videos
 

Work in progress, mugs for a soda firing that is postponed. Flashing slip sprayed on then bisqued then underglazed, complete with pencil lines and wax resist over the underglaze brushwork so kind of messy looking. Getting boxed up today and put away until who knows when to be fired.

Awesome!
Been making masters for molds recently.  The news said that booze, coffee and cannabis are the local big recession proof markets that are booming right now so I've been trying to adjust and capitalize.  Plus my pourover carafes which for some reason I haven't taken pictures of recently.

All right everyone. We need some pretty right about now. Show off your stuff! Works in progress, finished items, glorious meltdowns, show us your workbench!

I really enjoy goldmark galleries features on artists, here's a link to their 14 short films on potters: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFvUht41DkhImM4CVUwsE7r4WVJqN6V8q
Here's some of my favorite channels as well
Hsinchuen lin: https://www.youtube.com/user/hsinchuen
Simon leach (yes THAT leach): https://www.youtube.com/user/sleachpots
Ingleton pottery: https://www.youtube.com/user/youdanxxx
Matthew Kelly pottery: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC19npAMIfG47wgdrFX--4zw
 
And of course the obligatory shameless self promotion of my channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRyK3g9rImtTJfaI5iGAP4w
I'm in no way the same league as the ones above me, they are all seasoned professional teachers and you'll learn a lot watching them.

Thought I'ld start a thread for people to post links to some of their favourite or recommended online free videos. So many of us stuck at home now I thought it would be a good resource to help pass the time.
I'll start it off with an exhibition of wood fired pots from Britain's Svend Bayer. Just came out today, it will be his last exhibition. It includes a section of Svend Bayer working, firing and talking about his work. Beautiful pots.
 

There are several good apps for checking out digital books from your library. I use Overdrive and Hoopla. Find the apps in the Amazon app store on your Kindle and download them. Overdrive has an app called Libby that can be used on other devices like Android and Apple, but for somer reason they don't have it for Kindle devices, so you have to use the old Overdrive app, which isn't nearly as friendly but still functional. You'll need your library card number to create an account in either app. Sometimes you'll need a PIN for your account, and with my library that's the last 4 digits of your phone number. Once you're set up you can borrow books to your Kindle. With Overdrive, there is a limited number of copies of each book available, just like real books, so you can be put a hold on it just like real books. With Hoopla the books are always available, although they don't have as big a selection as Overdrive.

I would suggest calling library or going to their website to see if the have digital books available, many do and if so I bet they also have a kindle tutorial on checking out their books.
don't know about tutorials but I use the fire's as my tablet. We use Amazon delivery enough to justify the price of Amazon prime so I also get access to the prime video's. For $10 a month you can subscribe to unlimited library. Lots of Indie pubs here but there are over a million book available and no extra charges. I signed up for a three month 99 cent intro in Jan and I think I will renew. Lot of junk but good stuff too and I like being able to just start reading and just go to another if it doesn't grab me.feel free to pm me with a question and I can look on mine and try and help.
edit: Here's a link on the current free 2 month trial, can't beat free.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://moneysavingmom.com/hot-kindle-unlimited-trial-deal/&ved=2ahUKEwiF_NTx56voAhUGC6wKHbTXAuMQFjAJegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw0PqPgvejbA-XLYAcnDOMMh
 
 
 

Oldlady, suggested and Project image tutorial for the QotW. I convinced her that sort of thing really belonged in the "Studio Operations and Making Work" section. She agreed. I am setting this up for anyone that would like to show others a brief tutorial of how to do some technique or project. If you have already done this here, repost it in this area, couldn't hurt. I believe everyone may be looking for something to occupy their time, and this may help.
 
best,
Pres 

my world has ended with the total closure of the library system.   usually i read constantly but i was caught on a day when i only had 3 books out.   have only 40 pages left on the last one.   i have a kindle fire and have had it for several years.   does anyone know of a tutorial on using it that i can find online?   i turned it on several times but there are always things that show up unannounced and look as though i will have to pay for something.   can't do that.
watching a lot of youtube but never found a definition of "subscriber".  is that something you pay to be or what?   and facebook and instagram shut me down. 
planting flowers in bigger pots was  today's big event. and washing the 22 saranwrap windows on the porch will happen tomorrow .  whoopee!  then i will be able to see more of the very odd birds that strut around in the yard.   ibis that are not in a zoo!  and sometimes green parrots fly overhead.  

Somehow I missed this QotW when it was posted, and today, "Christmas" caught my eye.  I don't make clay gifts for friends/relatives anymore-I used to. Now I just invite them to choose something from my stock if they want. What I do for the December holiday season/occasions is I make bulk quantities of smalls, like tea light holders and small catchalls and give them to a few organizations that I like, for them to give to their staff and customers.  Now I've been asked to make a hundred tea light holders (paid) for a company for next year's holidays-no strings attached re size/body/glaze/design--I get to just do my thing! 

We give pottery to friends in Arizona when we winter there as well as donate for prizes to the Canada high school rodeo finals and some other horse related events.
 

The (beefy casting, very heavy, smooth, impressive!) pedal on my late model Skutt has a small potentiometer in it; the actual electric part is rather tiny, especially in contrast to the housing.
No idea how your antique-ish motor is controlled, hence, no idea if this could help at all ...Skutt's current line up has the standard or "SSX" control board (both by Minarik), big motor, heavy foot pedal, tiny potentiometer within.
Shout if you're not finding source of this pic, are interested in Minarik documentation, would like spec on that potentiometer (it's just a few screws to get to it - I hadn't noted any specs on that part...).
 

i rely on recipes from books and other potters but mix my own buckets of glaze.   i do not remember any true failures that were disasters except one recipe from a book that came out looking like the lava glaze someone here was trying for recently.   one other was my failure to remove the 1000 gram weight from my scale and that resulted in a much larger quantity of glaze than i wanted.
the only commercial glaze that i use is the entire color choice in duncan stroke and coat.   these are for small parts of decorations on the empty bowls i make each year.   i use their purple for the dragonflies that go on most of my other work.  i have to say that the stroke and coat "hot tamale" red makes a big bang when i spray it on the outside of some of the bowls.   i almost want to do a series of them and call them " Lucy's Kitchen" as they remind me of the 1950s TV show most of you only saw as reruns.

Haven't used lustres in years, fun when I did, but did not enjoy the smell. At the HS they were more of a novelty, and too out of reach for most things. If I had a student that needed a little extra zing for something that deserved the effort and extra firing, I did it. Otherwise have not gotten into them on my own.
 
best,
Pres

I use a local commercial clay body for throwing.  But I recently had to make the decision whether or not to mix my own casting slip.  I ended up deciding to make it myself, using a recipe from Indiana University, they had the slip recipe and also clay body recipe (for adding handles, attachments, etc).  
So far so good, the purchase price for the raw materials was 90 dollars, and it's enough to mix 15 gallons of slip, and if I add another 50 dollars (grolleg) i will still have enough of the other ingredients to mix another 15 gallons.  The price of a porcelain slip from the store was 120 dollars for the same 15 gallons.  So it was an easy decision for me.  I'd have to mix the slip either way, might as well weigh out the ingredients myself!
I make all my glazes as well, that price break is a LOT bigger, you will pay a huge premium to buy commercial glazes.
I made my own studio furniture and ware boards and all that, because wow have you seen what they want for that stuff? Wowzer!
I did buy my wheels and kilns though, I buy my trim tools and ribs as well.  I know a lot of other people who make their own tools but buy their glazes.  
I have been making my own lustre overglazes, although the price would be a wash if we had access to colored lustres here in the states.  I made my own titanium lustre for a while, but mother of pearl lustre is so cheap it's not even worth the time it takes to make it.
So I guess it's always a balance of time vs. money, some things like making glazes have a huge payoff, other things like making lustres or equipment have a very low payoff (but are still fun).  If you hAve a lot of time and no money, do it yourself, you have a lot of money and no time, buy it?

At this point I am using primarily Amaco's Potters Choice glazes and have been OK with the cost so far. I'm buying gallons of my most used colors and have been pretty happy with the output of my products and the prices I am getting for them. I've also got an inventory of dry ingredients for the glaze formulae I have looked at and some time in the not too distant future will be mixing my own glazes.

I just purchased one of these wheels! It didn't come with a pedal or legs though! If you have any information, I'd love to talk about it! I'm going to build a stand for it soon!

denice, i bet you could get your husband to turn that wheel if you promise to make him something wonderful for dinner when you are completely healed.