Tip 59: A collection of great ideas
Tip 1. To keep a piece from sagging while coil building or hand building,
you are "supposed" to only build so far, then stop and let it
firm up before you continue. But if you are impatient like me, a great
solution is Duct Tape! Wrap it all around the piece so it sticks to itself
(it won't stick to the clay.) This keeps the form from bulging so you can
continue working.
Tip 2: I am always looking for materials to make molds from. A unique
method I saw recently was to use hard foam insulation board from the
hardware store (the stuff that comes in 4'x8' sheets, usually 1"
thick, and is often pink). You can use a utility knife to cut out shapes
to use as slump molds. I am going to use this method to make some square
plates.
Tip 3: Another method works great for making plates, trays, etc. Find a
block of wood (square or rectangular.) Cut a piece of clay larger than the
wood. Put the clay on a large piece of upholstery foam. Take your block of
wood and press down in the center of the clay. The sides will come up and
make nice rims. This looks really great if you impress the rim with stamps
before pressing in the center.
Tip 4: By the way, if you don't have any upholstery foam laying around,
get some! It is great for cushioning work while you clean and trim
bottoms, so you don't damage the rims. You can often get free scraps from
upholsterers.
Tip 5: If you like to stamp, look for interesting textured buttons at
fabric stores and flea markets. You can add handles by hot gluing thread
spoots onto the back, or pieces of thick irrigation tubing cut about
1" long.
Tip 6: Another great idea I saw is to tape a small level onto a fettling
knife. This way you can be sure you are making straight, level cuts.
Book Reviews: Throwing
Each month I am going to draw your attention to some ceramics books that
might be of interest. This month is books on throwing.
Wheel Thrown Ceramics, by Don Davis, is one of my favorite throwing books.
This is a Lark Book, and I love all ceramics books by Lark. It is well
illustrated and has a lot of detailed projects, including thrown and
altered pieces.
Thrown Pottery Techiques Revealed is a relatively new book. Chock full of
cut away photos showing where your hands should be during all stages of
throwing. I believe it is very difficult to learn to throw from a book,
but if you can, this would be it. I believe it's real strength is for
someone who can throw some forms, but needs instruction on additional and
more complex forms, because it covers them all.
A Potter's Workbook by Clary Illian was a wonderful surprise to me. Going
step by step through the exercises, you develop a better understanding of
form. What makes a nice rim, or foot ring? How you do determine the right
curve on a bowl or a mug, or the right proportions on a vase? This is an
excellent book for wheel throwers who want to bring their work to the next
level. It is like taking a course with a master potter.
These and other throwing books can be found here.
Interesting Products
Have you seen our finishing accessories? We have items such as lotion
pumps, trivets, hummingbird feeders, tile tables, black iron plate and
bowl stands, and glass goblets. These types of accessories really sell a
product.
Finishing accessories
Most popular display items
Our most popular display items are shown on this page. The wood Tile Boxes
are very nice quality.
Most popular display items
Copyright 2003 Cindi
Anderson, BigCeramicStore.com May be reprinted if credit is
given.
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