Monday, September 27, 2010

Blue and White plus a Quick Tip

The platter shown above is just another example of the cobalt spongeware. Somebody liked the coffee server I showed you a couple of weeks ago enough to buy it so I guess I can make more.

I also wanted to do a little follow up on the MDF bat projects.  First, if you have not used this type of bat before, you should slightly moisten them to raise the surface fibers. Otherwise you may not get good adhesion. Second, if you are patient, you need not wire your pots off the bats. Like plaster, they will absorb water from the bottom of your pots and just let go when they are ready to trim. Lastly, go to the hardware or home center and buy a couple of self adhesive sanding disks. Stick one on one of those bats you made and you can use your wheel to smooth pot bottoms.

The tool at the left is very useful for beginners to use when trying to figure out how thick the bottom of a pot is. Just drive a brad into the end of a short piece of dowel and clip it at the thickness you want your bottoms. If you push it into the bottom of your pot. It will leave an imprint of the end of the dowel. Stick your finger in the imprint and open to that depth.

For those of you who are interested, the studio is slowly coming along. I finished painting the drywall. Next is metal ceiling and more insulation

Friday, September 17, 2010

Two Great Shows and a Potter's Tip

Hey everybody. Last weekend I had shows in Bellevue, Ky and Loveland, Ohio. Both days went very well. Not only were my totals good but I sold some larger pieces too. The black and white jar from the last firing, GONE, spatterware coffee set, GONE, all my plates, GONE, large ash glazed jar, yup, that too. And, PRO PAY says there in money in my account so I didn't screw up the credit card info.As a rough gauge of how well it went, It usually takes me two hours to pack up and load after a show. Sunday took an hour and fifteen minutes. I'll find something to bitch and moan about soon enough, but not today.

I can't thank the volunteers for these shows enough, they carried crates and fixtures, watched my booth for me, ran errands and even helped a very good customer carry pots to her car. Another great thing about Sunday was that I won a ribbon and $25 for third place in ceramics, glass and sculpture. The great part is now,(in the true spirit of the internet), I can say AWARD WINNING, as seen in CERAMICS MONTHLY, Whistlecreek Pottery. OK, it's a little much but I had to say it once.

I heard from a few people who were making bats so I added some info on how to make an insert system. If you don't have a table saw, you know someone who does and all the cutting can be done in 10 minutes. Ask them, they'll help you out. Just figure out how big you want your inserts to be and follow the pictures. I wanted to use 6"squares so I started with a 12" square of MDF and banded it with 3" strips.You should also seal your bat holder with some polyurethane or lacquer to make it last longer.



Thursday, September 9, 2010

More New Stuff and Potters Tip

I have been trying to add some pizazz to the booth and thought the old cobalt blue spongeware might do the trick.I don't know if it will sell but it may get people to give the booth a closer look anyway





I had a big tub full of scraps to reclaim and that soft clay just screams to be platters so I threw until it was all gone. Here are some of the results..







Here is a quick tip that will save you $20. A small Talisman  sieve that fits the top of a jar is about $25 at the clay store. A permanent coffee filter is $4 at Sprawl Mart. It makes a fine sieve in both senses of the word.

With a show Saturday in Bellevue and another Sunday in Loveland, it has been a busy week at Whistle Creek.I have been glazing and firing all week but I did find time to set up an account to accept Visa and Mastercard. Look out big time here I come! If you made any bats after reading last weeks post, you'll want to stop by next week so I can show you how to make a system of removable inserts that are quick and easy.

Finally, a lovely plantation desk has come down from my mother in law who went into assisted living.Very shortly after we sat it down, Eddie, the king of the castle, found a new throne.