Pres Posted July 17, 2019 Report Share Posted July 17, 2019 As there have not been any new questions in the question pool, I will pose an old question. QotW: What is your studio companion lately? This for some of you may be a pet, or it may be a radio, or a television or some other device . . . CD player. . . 8 track tape? At any rate, I pose the question. I have a television in my studio, and use old movies or movies that I don't have to watch to keep me company. Long hours of wedging and throwing can be repetitive and to some degree boring. The tv adds a little noise and on occasion I do watch. Lately though, I have been wondering about putting an Echo Dot in the studio. The prices right now are really low. it is voice controlled, and can play off of a variety of streaming services both free and for subscription. I prefer free! It will also play audio books. Might be a possibility. What are your thoughts? best, Pres Hulk and Benzine 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrim8 Posted July 17, 2019 Report Share Posted July 17, 2019 podcasts : Marketplace, Planet Money, Freakanomics - its all so interesting & entertaining Hulk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hulk Posted July 17, 2019 Report Share Posted July 17, 2019 … 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. LeeU, oldlady, Min and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hulk Posted July 17, 2019 Report Share Posted July 17, 2019 ...yesterday's TED Radio Hour (err, Friday's - local broadcasts it Tuesday afternoon?) was interestin'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted July 17, 2019 Report Share Posted July 17, 2019 I use to have a television on or a radio and my dog sleeping next to me. Now that my husband has retired he is in and out of my studio hanging around, borrowing a tool or just cooling down. I have to really concentrate on what I am working on because of all of the new distractions. I don't mind him getting out of the heat, the garage isn't air conditioned, I will get use to our new life eventually. Denice Hulk and terrim8 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liambesaw Posted July 17, 2019 Report Share Posted July 17, 2019 I have a nice Bluetooth speaker setup in my shed that I blast tunes on. But most of the time I'm throwing alone in silence. There are also a few camcorders for recording what I'm doing so I can watch it back and/or make YouTube videos. That's kind of like having a companion, I feel like the cameras are a person and talk to them too. I also talk to myself while I'm throwing even if the cameras are off though, so I guess the voices in my head are another companion haha. Recently I found a rat or squirrel had visited my studio, so I wonder if they have taken up residence. I don't think so because there's no food and my cat is in and out all day, but there was evidence! Hulk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeU Posted July 17, 2019 Report Share Posted July 17, 2019 6 hours ago, liambesaw said: Recently I found a rat or squirrel had visited my studio, so I wonder if they have taken up residence. A rat took up residence in my studio (a converted bedroom in my old-ish mobil home) while I was out of town for a couple of weeks. He ate--completely destroyed--the good welder's gloves with the extended cuffs for stoking the big anagama kiln. He ate my leather studeo shoes. He ate all things cardboard. He ate my foam core and one dry wall shelf board. He ate a plasaic texture roller. He ate through the old semi-crumbling cement foundation (!) to get in and out. He did not eat any food. I did not have a cat. I highly recommend that you add a second cat. terrim8 and Hulk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liambesaw Posted July 17, 2019 Report Share Posted July 17, 2019 23 minutes ago, LeeU said: A rat took up residence in my studio (a converted bedroom in my old-ish mobil home) while I was out of town for a couple of weeks. He ate--completely destroyed--the good welder's gloves with the extended cuffs for stoking the big anagama kiln. He ate my leather studeo shoes. He ate all things cardboard. He ate my foam core and one dry wall shelf board. He ate a plasaic texture roller. He ate through the old semi-crumbling cement foundation (!) to get in and out. He did not eat any food. I did not have a cat. I highly recommend that you add a second cat. Well my shed is 10 feet by 10 feet and I haven't seen him, so I think he might have just stopped by, I'll set out some rat traps just in case though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Min Posted July 18, 2019 Report Share Posted July 18, 2019 11 hours ago, Pres said: Lately though, I have been wondering about putting an Echo Dot in the studio. The prices right now are really low. it is voice controlled, and can play off of a variety of streaming services both free and for subscription. I prefer free! It will also play audio books. Might be a possibility. I bought one in January for my workroom. I like that it is voice controlled but would really recommend syncing a bluetooth speaker to it. The Echo speaker is okay for listening to the news or talk radio etc but for music I find the sound quality is pretty bad, worse when you crank up the volume. @Hulk, I don't think my wheel is ever that clean! Pres and Hulk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liambesaw Posted July 18, 2019 Report Share Posted July 18, 2019 56 minutes ago, Min said: I bought one in January for my workroom. I like that it is voice controlled but would really recommend syncing a bluetooth speaker to it. The Echo speaker is okay for listening to the news or talk radio etc but for music I find the sound quality is pretty bad, worse when you crank up the volume. @Hulk, I don't think my wheel is ever that clean! I dont think mine was that clean when it was brand new Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted July 18, 2019 Report Share Posted July 18, 2019 I have full blown large set of speakers(cerwin-vega) in studio also a set in outer kiln loading area-and 5 more sets spread around like kitchen living room salt kiln-office all hooked to two 300 cd disc players and also can pipem pandora thru the system.Most speakers have their own volume control nearby. The players and amp is in the living room so its dust free.There is a 8 speaker control as well. Player goes all day on shuffle .Or pandora on a shuffle mix . Music is must for me. Benzine, Pres and Hulk 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted July 19, 2019 Report Share Posted July 19, 2019 I have the box containing my dad's ashes. Soon to be joined by my mum's as she passed away last weekend. Live companions include the robins nesting under the greenhouse staging, many bees and butterflies - which, unfortunately get caught up in the spider's webs before I can set them free. Occasionally a sparrowhawk sitting in the tree outside the window. Hulk and Denice 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hulk Posted July 19, 2019 Report Share Posted July 19, 2019 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! Chilly, Denice and Koojakkaran 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted July 22, 2019 Report Share Posted July 22, 2019 I totally agree the passed friends, relatives and pets look out for you. My MS is very slow progressing, my neuro calls me wonder woman. I had two aunts that had MS and I think they are doing everything they can to slow it down. I have also asked pets from the past to help me with my current dog. The first time it was for a behavioral problem, my dog settled down immediately after I asked for help. Ten years later my dog decides he doesn't want to eat any more, he lost so much weight his hip bones stuck out. The vet ran a bunch of test and couldn't find anything wrong with him. I asked for help and he started eating again and regained the needed weight. I use to live in a haunted house and the spirit was listening all of the time and let us know if he was unhappy with us. My pottery studio was in the basement and he used to play with the balance beam scale. Denice Chilly and Hulk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted July 22, 2019 Report Share Posted July 22, 2019 My furry companion passed a couple of weeks ago, and everything is so quiet without her. Chilly, liambesaw and Hulk 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted July 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2019 13 hours ago, Denice said: I totally agree the passed friends, relatives and pets look out for you. My MS is very slow progressing, my neuro calls me wonder woman. I had two aunts that had MS and I think they are doing everything they can to slow it down. I have also asked pets from the past to help me with my current dog. The first time it was for a behavioral problem, my dog settled down immediately after I asked for help. Ten years later my dog decides he doesn't want to eat any more, he lost so much weight his hip bones stuck out. The vet ran a bunch of test and couldn't find anything wrong with him. I asked for help and he started eating again and regained the needed weight. I use to live in a haunted house and the spirit was listening all of the time and let us know if he was unhappy with us. My pottery studio was in the basement and he used to play with the balance beam scale. Denice Understand house having an attitude. Years ago, our starter home that we never moved from had an attitude. Doors we knew were closed were open, footsteps sounded in the middle of the night, things in the attic were moved around, doors would slam without any reason. Disconcerting! Over the years, we have made major changes to the house, stripped rooms to bare walls and redone, added space with bump outs at old porches, created different movement patterns by consolidating smaller rooms, and made a bathroom suite across the back of the second floor while adding a downstairs bath. House is now quite quiet. I guess things are at rest or it wasn't home anymore. We did find out that there was a tragedy when someone died in a burning kitchen, evidenced from framing exposed during a kitchen renovation a few years ago. best, Pres Denice, Benzine, Hulk and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackpots Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 Bandit keeps me company. I hope it is true that dog hair fires out in the kiln! Hulk, Chilly and Denice 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selchie Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 Hulk, Is that a self-cleaning wheel???? There would be a market for that - a Roomba for the studio, too. Sigh. I expect it is too good to be true, but maybe some day. I use a bluetooth speaker, too - listen to audio books, CBC (Canadian Broadcasting) podcasts, and ABC (Australian Broadcasting) podcasts. Hulk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benzine Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 As I noted, in my recent Status Update, my cat Mari, hangs out in the studio, sometimes more than I do. The past couple months, she was sleeping against my tool storage bag, and it was matted with her fur. She used to get into my throwing water bucket, and steal my sponge. I'd have to follow the trail, to figure out what she did with it. My daughter will occasionally come in, as she has an easel in there. When she was younger,she used to come in, when I was trimming, and collect all my scraps to throw in my reclaim container. She doesn't do that anymore... Hulk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hulk Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 "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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted September 30, 2019 Report Share Posted September 30, 2019 I brought in my herbs two days ago before the frost hit. My plants sit in my window. I can also see the ski runs on Red Lodge Mountain. My cats and dogs come in and visit regularly. My studio is in a overside 2 car garage of the laundry room. It is very quiet here and I work in peace. I am posting a photo of a hanging pot drying to stein up and continue to form. It is a funny technique but I have saved some larger porcelain pots this way. It takes a few hours. I continue working on other pots while a clapping one regains it's strength! marcia Hulk and Magnolia Mud Research 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrim8 Posted September 30, 2019 Report Share Posted September 30, 2019 19 minutes ago, Marcia Selsor said: I brought in my herbs two days ago before the frost hit. My plants sit in my window. I can also see the ski runs on Red Lodge Mountain. My cats and dogs come in and visit regularly. My studio is in a overside 2 car garage of the laundry room. It is very quiet here and I work in peace. I am posting a photo of a hanging pot drying to stein up and continue to form. It is a funny technique but I have saved some larger porcelain pots this way. It takes a few hours. I continue working on other pots while a clapping one regains it's strength! marcia How does it fire afterwards? Any odd warping or anything??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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