"Steve Mills" wrote in message ... Rather than throwing *dry* I use thick slip as the throwing lubricant; a couple of dabs as I start, and then as I throw an occasional *hand wash* movement to re-distribute the slurry...

Hi folks Hubby is giving me new challenges. This time, he has asked me to make a röhmertopf. I have started, but now I am having misgivings. The clay I use is a high-fire clay that can be fired to 1350 C. But I know that it has to be low-fired (1000 C), in order to be able to absorb some of the...

Hi guys. I have Jacqui Atkins book on hand building. Fantastic amount of variation and ideas there. I am very impressed. But I would love some more ideas. I have plaster moulds - half-globe - up to 30 cm and can get them bigger. I also have my own resources and those of my recoursful hubby to...

Following on the thread about soaking, I was thinking that each kiln is an individual, and thus, logging what your own kiln does is essential. BUT! What information do YOU log? Do you have a kiln log - is it on computer file, so you can share it with us that are inquisitive and searching? I have a...

A friend has these things in metal, but I will be making some for me in clay. They are simply a little tube that sits inside the ashtray. The hole is just slightly larger diameter than a cigarette is. Instead of smushing the cigarette to put it out, you just plonk it ember end first into the...

Hi everyone! Just wanted to send you all summer greetings from Zurich. It is hot hot hot here these days and my workshop is very tempting, but I have guests until the middle of July, so that will have to wait. My new kiln is a wonder with the new controller. I can now also set the cooling...

Hey everyone :-) I want to make myself a kiln god. From the very limited information my searches came up with, I read that the Japanese believe you must sacrifice something to the kiln god in each firing. My idea is then to purposely make a big air pocket in a little sculpture, and then fire it...

Hi everyone! I've been a bit busy with "other things" - like making stuff! Hehe! I now have an account at YouTube.com and I have posted some videos about my workshop, what I am working on these days, how to make the clay balls I couldn't explain well in pure text. I also want to make a video...

Hi folks :-) Okay - I have been wondering how to fire a couple of pieces. When they are all put together, they will have surfaces that won't be touching the oven shelf, and I worry about slumping occurring. Especially one of the pieces just can not do that (a clock face). So, I was thinking -...

Hi again, folks When refiring a glaze, does it melt again at the same or similar melting point/temperature as it did the first time around? Stupid question, maybe, but I'm still battling those pock marks and feel knowing for sure would be a great help. Thanks all! Back to glazing and firing so...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BJMBU8IXAg This shows somewhat of the same vent openings as I was mentioning I have on my kiln (though I only have 2 on the sides and one in the lid). Just wanted to let you know :-) Marianne

Yeah - here I am again! Nag nag nag! LOL! So - I have been doing some pretty good work on the wheel lately. When I finally realized that I was using too firm clay, the centering go a lot easier! But - even if I have wedged the clay thoroughly just before slapping it on the wheel, I sometimes...

Hi guys I had some SERIOUS bubbles from the kiln opened yesterday, so today I took the worst piece with me to my dealer (in both senses of the word! LOL!) and picked his brains a bit more. I fired to 1250 with 2 holes open throughout due to some crystaline glaze I am also trying to get to...

Hi everyone I have litterally only had about 3 lessons in Chemistry during my schooling, due to a change of systems late in high-school. And those 3 lessons were so far over my head, you wouldn't believe it. Now, especially considering the problems I am having using other peoples' glazes, I...

EWWWW!! I keep getting bubbles on my finished pieces. I have tried up to 40 minutes hold time at 1270 degreess, but they still show up! I am getting rather frustrated by it all. I can "repair" them by adding glaze to the holes (that are more like inverted craters going all the way down to the...

Hi! I came across a German translation of Bernard Leach's "A Potter's Book" at my local "dealer" (I mean that both ways! ;-) today and had a quick look at Amazon.co.uk. There were many books by him, and I was wondering if you would recommend one over the other, since the one I saw was very...

Me again I _think_ that the thicker the "slab", the easier it will warp. I have to have a very flat, thin slab that doesn't warp at all (yes, for my clock). I would like everyone's tips on how they prevent flat "tiles/slabs" from warping, please? Marianne

Hi again, everyone. I appologize to those of you that are getting tired of me mentioning my YouTube videos in here, but others seem to appreciate me keeping them updated, and I appreciate the feedback I get from you, my fellow potters, in here about the videos. To the point. I have thrown an...

"Bob" wrote in message ... Where can a newbie go for "Dummies" type help with this hobby ? I do not even know the meaning of Raku, bisque and etc. Hi Bob :-) You can also go to www.youtube.com - there is a group called...

Hi Okay - I have started throwing on my wheel again. But I keep getting these LUMPS of clay that seem like they are weighted on one side, even though I have spiral wedged them for at least 10-15 minutes before splitting them up into about half-kilo pieces, making those into balls by slapping...