Pres Posted December 27, 2020 Report Share Posted December 27, 2020 Looking through the forum today, and find that @Hulk posed a question in the QotW pool, it was very appropriate and upbeat for the future. . . "What do you think 2021 may bring to your potting life? I'd like to: explore a few more forms, particularly the teapot (have initial trial and first design adjustment under me belt a'ready), sets of lidded forms, and "smalls"; fill the kiln more efficiently; throw a lot more pots, hence more time at the wheel, and more efficient use of time; get out and see/feel others' pots, and interact in person with other potters - missing this, big time; improve culling (am getting better at it); participate in another show or two - first ever closes today (great experience). And more..." Hulks question and explanation stands on its own, and needs no further comment from me. QotW: What do you think 2021 may bring to your potting life? best, Pres Hulk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Min Posted December 27, 2020 Report Share Posted December 27, 2020 We have been considering moving for several years, since 2021 is still an unknown it might be time to pack up my studio/workshop and go for it. Thought of how much equipment and supplies etc I have is really quite daunting so I might just procrastinate a bit longer. 2020 BUH-BYE! (kind of looks like a trimming chuck so I figured I can get away with posting this) GEP, Roberta12, Hulk and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted December 27, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2020 Fitting analogy! best, Pres Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liambesaw Posted December 28, 2020 Report Share Posted December 28, 2020 Have had a lot of time in 2020 to analyze my forms and discover new avenues as far as decoration is concerned. I'm going to roll with it, and since 2021 doesn't sound too different, I'm going to keep discovering things into the new year. When shows open up and things settle in, I will be better prepared in the new year. Hulk and Pres 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted December 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2020 Looks like 2021 may bring a new kiln my way. My J236 L&L has come to a point where the main wiring has become brittle, and the leads into the switches are scorched along with some other problems. Parts are not as readily available, but could be parsed from other parts. After some consulting with Neil, and some searching the L & L sight I decided on a e28M-3, with the quad elements, a furniture kit, and the vent system. I figure this will be my last kiln, and my wife says it is past time for a replacement. Right now wait time is long, but hopefully it will come sometime in the Spring. I think I will shunt together the old one for one more firing as I have some pieces setting in there now that did not meet temp. I have some wiring from another kiln that I scrapped that may be able to handle the loads. Will have to check the wiring. best, Pres best, Pres liambesaw, Callie Beller Diesel, Hulk and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glazenerd Posted December 28, 2020 Report Share Posted December 28, 2020 Like Min; moving is in my near future- next year or so. Will have to decide which kilns to keep, which to sell; along with other equipment. I built a 26x44 work studio over a decade ago that is stuffed with equipment and supplies; most of which will not go with me into my golden years. Truthfully, I wrestle with just walking away all together. Would not miss the glaze so much as I would miss the clay-chemistry. Tom Babs, Roberta12 and Hulk 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sorcery Posted December 29, 2020 Report Share Posted December 29, 2020 I'm scheduled for a move or not in spring too. 2021 ...in the black ....jack! Sorce Hulk and Roberta12 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted December 29, 2020 Report Share Posted December 29, 2020 My next move is cremation . Age in place for us. Pres, LeeU and Hulk 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glazenerd Posted December 29, 2020 Report Share Posted December 29, 2020 8 hours ago, Mark C. said: My next move is cremation . Age in place for us. Well Mark- you have a 35CF car kiln=== just sayin... I would love nothing more than to stay where I am at. Yet, I know that I will not be able to take care of it as time marches on. JohnnyK 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted December 29, 2020 Report Share Posted December 29, 2020 If I ever get my hands working again I would like to start throwing, my ultimate goal would be making teapots. I have always found them to be challenging and I like pushing clay to its limit. Denice Hulk and Pres 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted December 29, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2020 French presses aren't in it for me, as recent studies show they are not as healthy as they should be. I love making teapots and have made several different styles and sizes over the years. . . all within the limits of "functional". best, Pres Hulk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyK Posted December 29, 2020 Report Share Posted December 29, 2020 I'll continue experimenting with forms and glazes and building stock for when I have the opportunity to open a booth at the local Farmers' Market... Watching more artists' kiln openings videos for suggestions on future glaze combos and getting into crystal glazes by the end of the year... Pres and Hulk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted December 29, 2020 Report Share Posted December 29, 2020 I need to look into making french presses, my son will only make his coffee with a french press. He is somewhat a fanatic when it comes to coffee, he orders green coffee beans and roast them himself. If he asks you if want a cup of coffee just say no, it will be a couple of hours before he is finished making it. He had me make him two part shaving mugs that held hot water in the bottom and the shaving cream was made in the next layer. The hot water kept the shaving cream warm and this made it easier to shave a heavy beard. I made him musical pots when we was in high school and a urn for his dog a few years ago, the things we do for our children. Hulk, LeeU and liambesaw 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liambesaw Posted December 29, 2020 Report Share Posted December 29, 2020 8 minutes ago, Denice said: I need to look into making french presses, my son will only make his coffee with a french press. He is somewhat a fanatic when it comes to coffee, he orders green coffee beans and roast them himself. If he asks you if want a cup of coffee just say no, it will be a couple of hours before he is finished making it. He had me make him two part shaving mugs that held hot water in the bottom and the shaving cream was made in the next layer. The hot water kept the shaving cream warm and this made it easier to shave a heavy beard. I made him musical pots when we was in high school and a urn for his dog a few years ago, the things we do for our children. He hasn't tried one of these yet? This is what the world champion coffee brewers use (don't worry, I also didn't know coffee brewing was competitive). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted December 29, 2020 Report Share Posted December 29, 2020 51 minutes ago, Denice said: I need to look into making french presses, my son will only make his coffee with a french press. He is somewhat a fanatic when it comes to coffee, he orders green coffee beans and roast them himself. If he asks you if want a cup of coffee just say no, it will be a couple of hours before he is finished making it. He had me make him two part shaving mugs that held hot water in the bottom and the shaving cream was made in the next layer. The hot water kept the shaving cream warm and this made it easier to shave a heavy beard. I made him musical pots when we was in high school and a urn for his dog a few years ago, the things we do for our children. Have him check out the (clever dripper ) if he is coffee person like me. (I stopped roasting beans a long time ago)Make the best coffee -better than french press. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted December 29, 2020 Report Share Posted December 29, 2020 6 hours ago, glazenerd said: Well Mark- you have a 35CF car kiln=== just sayin... I would love nothing more than to stay where I am at. Yet, I know that I will not be able to take care of it as time marches on. The car kiln and the updraft are maybe only a few of the reasons I cannot move.I'm thinking about pouring a large slab in kiln area for an 18 cubic Geil kiln I have access to add to my kiln quiver as well now. All my stuff is heavy-the many tons of Bronze in the yards from shipwrecks is also a deterrent . I did sell about 2k worth last year in salvage and have at least that again to sell. Heck I have one blade of a bronze ships propeller that weights over 750 #s in driveway.Now its a 40 foot x 14 solar array that I put in that also a chain around our ankles now. The two dive compressors I can still move -The house is only 1250 square feet so thats not an issue all same level as well. Its the near 1 acre yard work that will be an issue-I have a rider mower now but the day will come we hire a Gardner-its just in the plan. The zillion tons of glaze materials also slows down the move process as well as just about everything I do is so heavy. In my next life I think car salesman so all my hand s have to do is point towards cars-that a good one over there see where I'm pointing .Its also a high milage unit-yes Desoto is an older brand name but just look at that styling. glazenerd and Hulk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted December 29, 2020 Report Share Posted December 29, 2020 2021 will bring in a fury of potting in 1st two weeks to get stock to cover my hand surgery recovery time in my outlets. I plan on time away from clay for several months after the 19th. winter is slow sales and thats what I need now. I will not do my usual may spring fair. Maybe an August show buts it still upo in the air. I'm not going to do a 4th of July show that I have done since 1973 staright thru iuntil covid cancelled it-I'm now done with the one day show forever myself. I will put in another mini split in kitchen (14 foot ceilings) late spring.for the ac part mostly in summer.Its the only project this coming year after way to many last year. As to potting I plan on stocking better for xmas since this crazy season that just passed . I was prepared I thought but never had a rush Like I just went thru.Just paid my gas bill $1450,00 I need to get back slowy into clay after the recovery. I plan on diving /underwater phots in Bali in the fall if covid gets kicked down by then-it will be at least 3 weeks abroad this time.I missed this years trip . I'm also going to do a few less shows and try hard to work less -as I do not yet know how thats done well. Pres and Hulk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glazenerd Posted December 31, 2020 Report Share Posted December 31, 2020 Mark: One of the drawbacks of any trade: downsizing when the time comes. Took off before Thanksgiving, and not going back until Jan1-12. Never took that much time off in 45 years. I like it! Pres and Hulk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted December 31, 2020 Report Share Posted December 31, 2020 That's what it feel like to be retired, I had my husband retired as soon as we could afford it. The company he worked for was going to kill him. His boss retired so he had to cover his work, the hazmat personnel was fired another job for Stu. Millions of questions to answer from amusement ride owners and government officials and when he had some time he could do his actual job of technical publication, writing the huge manuals that went out with each ride. He has been retired for two years finished restoring a rusty 74 Challenger last spring . January he started working on a man cave in our unfinished basement. He hired a few jobs out but did everything else framing, plumbing, wiring, painting, trim work and tiling. Most of the theater and bar is finished he still has to tile the bathroom. It sounds like a lot of work but he loves doing it and he starts and stops whenever he feels like it, even sleep late in the morning now and then. You can keep doing what you really enjoy with out any pressure of a schedule Denice Pyewackette, Hulk and glazenerd 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted December 31, 2020 Report Share Posted December 31, 2020 (edited) I have had plenty of sidse trips (breaks in pottery life as well). Many trips around the planet diving all these decades as well . I structrured my summers so I could fish and dive. I have no regrets except for the wear and tear on hands/bones in hand that got and will get cut out and tossed .We have bones for a reason. For some reason Tom I thought you where out of the house building business now ? Edited December 31, 2020 by Mark C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glazenerd Posted December 31, 2020 Report Share Posted December 31, 2020 Mark: built my last house in 2018: sold off ski steers, trucks, backhoe, trailers, etc in .2018/2019. Since then, I only do high end finish work. Custom cabinets, wainscot, crown work, custom only wood/Ceramic. Already put the word out; cutting back to 7-8 months next year. Time for the young people to step in. Hulk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted December 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2020 Order did not go through, will reorder in new year. I have also changed the kiln I am going for as the one mentioned is only 22" deep. best, Pres Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeU Posted December 31, 2020 Report Share Posted December 31, 2020 I decided to commit to revamping my head space to produce reasonably refined retail-friendly smalls for the local gift shop market. It is so "not me" it has put me into a tizzy, but I'm coming down from getting dizzy, and am beginning to enjoy the fizzy of checks coming in from tourists buying my stuff, even on a very modest scale. So for 2021, while still low volume, I will be doing sets of herb/plant markers and soap dishes & other serviceable items as well as targeting decor for seasons/holidays. To the extent that I can curb my rough & tumble free-form style & harness the will power to make things pretty & clean edged, I think I have a shot at sustaining a process that is now doing better than breaking even, which is awesome. Hulk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted January 1, 2021 Report Share Posted January 1, 2021 (Time for the young people to step in. ) I wish some young potters would step in around here but as of late there are no takers. Seems nobody wants to be a full timer anymore around here.Might be a sign of the times. Even at shows in other nearby states I never see young potters coming into this field. glazenerd 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glazenerd Posted January 1, 2021 Report Share Posted January 1, 2021 32 minutes ago, Mark C. said: (Time for the young people to step in. ) I wish some young potters would step in around here but as of late there are no takers. Seems nobody wants to be a full timer anymore around here.Might be a sign of the times. Even at shows in other nearby states I never see young potters coming into this field. About half the tradesmen around here retired, or moved south. Of the other half: 90% are 45+ years old. Everyone once in awhile I see 20-30's at the lumber yard. Local colleges and schools ceased trade classes over a decade ago. Most schools have dropped art classes. Local community college cut pottery classes way back. State college still has a strong pottery criteria; but heavily focuses on sculptural work. Prez: that would be an interesting question: do your local schools/colleges still teach pottery courses (historical, not Covid related) Changes in focus, technique etc. You get the drift ; phrase it as you wish. Curious to see changes. LeeU 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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