05/01/09 VIDEO: Coil & Throw Method

Throw, Dry, Add Coil, Repeat
Using the Coil and Throw Method to Make Large Pottery on the Potter's Wheel
http://www.ceramicartsdaily.org/video/index.aspx

OK! So, how enthralled do you think I was while watching this video?

First reason for my fascination with anything having to do with clay: Due to forces beyond my control involving a river, flooding, and a university who's classes had to cease early this semester...I HAVEN'T BEEN AT A WHEEL IN WEEEEEEKS! :-P

Second, I've always been interested in "bigware". I think because, although I'm not a weakling, I always had a hard time centering the large amount of clay. Then it was a challenge for me to keep twist out of the bottom of the pot as I worked higher up around the neck.

Also, let's face it: I'm not a svelt chick! My hands and arms are anything but delicate, so reaching down into the pot prevented me from keeping the pot collared in at the top sometimes.

I think this might be a sweeeeet solution! I didn't even know you could do this - maybe I missed that day in class 10 years ago? lol. What's nice is that even if I don't go into bigware, I can use this technique to keep the pot narrower than my arm and not have to deal with trying to throw with a long stick to increase my reach.

I may have found a couple wheels for sale in the Minneapolis area. Keep your fingers crossed! Maybe I can try out this method soon!

03/13/09 Red Clay, Big Pots, & Underwear

Oooo...Friday the 13th! Nothing had better happen to my pots sitting all lonely in the studio 25 miles away!

I threw a "big" vase last night around midnight. (Shush, I didn't get in there until 9:30!) It's the biggest piece I've ever done, I think. It's also red clay - another first!

Beforehand, I had gone shopping for my store (When don't I, right? lol.) Lately I can't seem to get out of a place without buying something for playing in clay. Last night this compulsion brought home:

(1) Herb Mincer - the handled thing with multiple rotary wheels? Yeah, all I saw was something to engrave the outside of a pot!
(1) Glass Iced Tea Dispenser with Spout - I saw this "recipe" for Magic Water that's supposed to be great for attaching clay to clay...and it just happened to make a gallon!
(4) 4ft Fluorescent Bulbs - the workspace in the basement would be dark otherwise.
(1) Dustpan & Sweep - I'm working with dirt. Need I say more?
(1) Dollar Bin Table Cloth - Hey! I can move another small ugly table into the gallery area at the store!
(1) Set of Dollar Bin Scrubbies - I now have so many I will never have a rough pot again.

You get the idea. No store is safe!!! lol I'm guessing if I went into...say Victoria's Secret... there would even be a gorgeous clay-colored ensemble that I just had to have for those days you just wanna sit at the wheel in your underwear.

...There's no picture for that!