[Nfb-krafters-korner] Hand building with clay

Sun Jul 3 20:04:03 UTC 2011

Aren't the kilns still kind of big though? You say they're automatic--do they actually shut themselves off at the right time? The two big things that keep me from using a kiln myself (besides the cost of getting one) are the size and wariness since I wouldn't be able to smell ,₣ something started smoking etc. 
I have ZERO sense of smell; if someone came to me and said, "You could have your sight back or your sense of smelittle," I'd take the sense of smell in a heartbeat.

Terrence

Twitter: www.twitter.com/LandrasGembar
Skype: LandrasPhaelan
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On Jul 3, 2011, at 3:47 AM, "River Woman" <riverwoman at zoominternet.net> wrote:

> Hi Georgia,
> It is so nice to talk to you.
> Yes, the art center has everything you can need. I do carry a little tool box with me, kind of like a fishing box, small and made of plastic.  I keep my own things there, and I use the center's supplies and tools, too. They have the glazes there also. but, I do buy some of my own glazes - wow, are they expensive. I had NO idea how costly they are. You buy a package in whatever weight you want from the Standard Ceramic Supply Company - I just bought 3 different glazes, 5 # each. It was around $90.  And 5 pounds does not make a lot of glaze - you add only water to it and then you can use it. I have low fire glazes - four of them. And, I have mid-fire glazes - probably about 6 of them.  Plus, I use the glazes at the center.
> 
> I don't use a lot of different colors as I like to limit my work to a color palette that is MINE - predictable and in sinc with my own vision of what my work should look like. I would say I probably only use about 10 colors in all plus transparent glazes. My color range is earthy.
> 
> It would be nice if your husband would be in a show there if he has the opportunity. I do know what you mean, about getting your stuff there. It is a big effort.
> 
> the kilns these days are low energy users - and they are all automatic. You could easily use one, once someone went through it with you. they are all set by just pushing a button, like using a microwave oven. And, they do not use a lot of electricity as the old ones did, because they are made now to be efficient.  I do not have a kiln. I could get one, and looked into it last year, but decided I wanted to keep it as it is - my day away to play with clay.  Then, I work in my studio here at home doing slab or coil pieces. All you need is a table - My husband made a table and it is the size of a piece of paneling so that he could put a panel made of kitchen counter material on top - it cleans up really well and is nice to work on. He also made a table like that for our shipping room for our eBay business and that is a room in our basement where he does all the packing and shipping, and it is a holding room for things as we post them, and get them ready to be shipped. My studio is a large area, the second floor of a large barn garage on our property.
> 
> I decided if I had a kiln, then I would feel like I have to be making pottery, instead, I now feel like it is a treat and that I do not HAVE to work it like a JOB.
> 
> Lynda River Woman
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Georgia Kitchen" <gakitchen at gfn.org>
> To: "List for blind crafters and artists" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, July 02, 2011 10:47 PM
> Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Hand building with clay
> 
> 
>> Hi all,
>> 
>> Yes, an art center is a good place. We have a art council office that has shows and I have gotten to know them over the last few years. It is relatively small and during a big snow storm, I stopped there and waited for my husband to pick me up since the  sidewalks were so snowy.
>> They are real friendly and sponsor shows as well as other galleries in town. A church also has a small show of someone's art. They invited my husband to have a show. I hoped he would take them upon it but frankly he is quite busy. I think if he had help getting his stuff there it would make a difference. You know how family issues are sometime.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Yes, the art center here has all that expensive equipment. I think it would be quite a learning experience learning to set up and use a kiln. I can't imagine the utility bill!
>> Linda, do you have a kiln or do you have one that you can use at the art center?  Here they have all those little things you can use such as brushes, rolling pins etc.
>> 
>> Best,
>> Georgia
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "River Woman" <riverwoman at zoominternet.net>
>> To: "List for blind crafters and artists" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, July 02, 2011 8:29 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Hand building with clay
>> 
>> 
>>> Sounds like you have found a good pottery teacher who will work with you to help you do whatever is on your mind to do.  When I lost my sight nearly 4 years ago, a friend took me to a pottery class - it was before I had any training or mobility or anything. I was very worried the teacher would not want me in her class - but just the opposite, she created ways of teaching me that gave me confidence and I just took off from there. An art center is a really great place to do pottery because they have all the expensive equipment that you would not just go out and buy yourself, normally. I considered putting in a pottery shop here at my studio, then decided against it because my pottery class is my time away when I can just have fun and be with other people who are making pottery, too. It is my social get-away every week as I live in the country near a small town and there are no activities in my town that I could participate in - so I am mostly at home and work here, and at the art center. For me, the art center is a one hour drive away from my home. Thankfully, my husband will take me, and sometimes friends take me. Lynda River woman
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Georgia Kitchen" <gakitchen at gfn.org>
>>> To: "List for blind crafters and artists" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Saturday, July 02, 2011 7:20 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Hand building with clay
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> Hi Linda and all,
>>>> 
>>>> Your boxes sound really interesting. I have always liked boxes for different small items such as sewing items, jewerly.
>>>> I  hope your show goes well. I am sure it is a lot of work to get ready.
>>>> 
>>>> Seems to me, one could specialize in one item.
>>>> 
>>>> I am lucky that I live close to an art center.
>>>> 
>>>> We used to have a lot of clay at the bottom of our farm pond when I was a kid but I am not sure if it was the type that would form pottery. I probably wouldn't swim in a farm pond now but we thought it was the greatest then. I had more freedom there because at the beach my mother always made me stay where the little kids were.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> To have a show here, first you have to be juried of course and then  you have to have a certain number of pieces to show. My husband is juried but never has enough pieces to have a show unless he takes some of his stuff from  the house. He likes certain wood items that he really doesn't want to sell.
>>>> 
>>>> Joseli, I can see that  air dry clay would have it's advantages but at the same time, you may find it interesting to learn some of the techniques like coils, pinch pots and slabs and what you can do with them. I have found most artists to be interesting and compassionate. I once took this dance class and had a rough time to the point it wasn't fun so I stopped going on the advice of my friend that went with me.It was sort of a different situation. In this case, only the teacher was experienced.
>>>> 
>>>> The  clay teacher made me a map of the studio.  It was real sweet of her. My memory isn't that good but I plan to  study the map, make a key and give it to a friend here who is  going into mobility.
>>>> 
>>>> Are you in a small town? Would  you consider moving back to Flint? I am pretty sure they have scholarships here for classes.
>>>> 
>>>> It is real  hot here so it has been sort of a lazy day for me other than do some house work and reading.
>>>> 
>>>> I fell asleep listening to Newsline.
>>>> 
>>>> Best,
>>>> Georgia
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "joseli Walter" <joseli at thezoolady.net>
>>>> To: "'List for blind crafters and artists'" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Saturday, July 02, 2011 5:57 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Hand building with clay
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>> I use air dry clay because I can't afford a kiln and probably couldn't use
>>>>> one in my apartment anyway.  I've considered pottery shops and all, but they
>>>>> are kind of hard to get too and I like being able to work on my stuff when I
>>>>> feel into it.
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>>> [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of River Woman
>>>>> Sent: Saturday, July 02, 2011 10:58 AM
>>>>> To: List for blind crafters and artists
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Hand building with clay
>>>>> 
>>>>> Hello Georgia,
>>>>> I think you will absolutely love working in clay - and your ancestors are
>>>>> there to help you on the way!
>>>>> I have been concentrating on getting things made for my solo show that is
>>>>> coming up in September - four years of work will be in this show - so it is
>>>>> a big one for me.
>>>>> Right now, I am concentrating on some small lided boxes - I call them
>>>>> Chinese Tea Boxes and the reason for it is that I used empty tea boxes for
>>>>> patterns for the boxes. Then, I put them up on legs, give them handles,
>>>>> flourishes, flowers, leaves - or anything else that comes to my mind. Some
>>>>> are made by first pressing the wet clay into large pieces of bark that fell
>>>>> off trees during the winter - other, I have rolled lace doiley's into the
>>>>> wet clay, and others pressed leaves, pine tree branches, etc. I never know
>>>>> when I begin a box, where it will lead me. I just begin with the slab, and
>>>>> go from there, one piece at a time. I cut, push, pull, stretch, shape,
>>>>> pound, and sand the clay along the way. Whatever it takes to get a vision of
>>>>> where it might go or what it might become. One step at a time. The journey
>>>>> to the finished box takes lots of turns along the way, and the results are
>>>>> stunning after the final firing - if I am lucky.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Please, anyone else who makes work out of clay, I would LOVE to hear about
>>>>> it.  We need to encourage and inspire one another.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Lynda River Woman
>>>>> 
>>>>> Tell us what you are making - I love to hear what others are doing with
>>>>> clay.
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: "Georgia Kitchen" <gakitchen at gfn.org>
>>>>> To: "List for blind crafters and artists" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Saturday, July 02, 2011 11:18 AM
>>>>> Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Hand building with clay
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>>> Hi Linda and all,
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Thanks for the  encouragement and sharing your experiences. I have
>>>>>> always appreciated art and I have anscestors who have worked in various
>>>>> media.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> My sister in law lives real close to a college in Arkansas and I think
>>>>>> she would like working in clay if she is up to it health wise.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> I wanted also
>>>>>> to say Hello to Joseli. It is cool that you are working in clay. Do
>>>>>> you still have your dog guide?
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Have a  Happy Holiday all and if you are at convention I know you will
>>>>>> have a good time. I will be watching it on the internet.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Best,
>>>>>> Georgia
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>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
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>>> 
>>> 
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>> 
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> 
> 
> 
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