The last picture of a bowl is a random bowl someone else made just to demonstrate the way it should come out.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Mug/pitcher
I'm really happy with this little mug/pitcher! It's very light, has a wonderful handle, and hopefully will look nice when glazed. I'm glazing it with moss creek which should turn out matte green.
The last picture of a bowl is a random bowl someone else made just to demonstrate the way it should come out.
The last picture of a bowl is a random bowl someone else made just to demonstrate the way it should come out.
Where I've come
I went to the studio yesterday and had such a successful time!! I'm seeing my improvement with centers the clay because I'm getting it done so much faster and more comfortably. I've also been pulling walls easier and with more control!
I had also gone to the studio a few days ago (yeah, didn't blog about that right away now did I....) but anyway I had made one pretty tall mug but it was still too wet to trim so I kept it covered. I guess I didn't feel the need to blog immediately about it (yes, I know, I should've) because I didn't have a ground breaking moment and it just seemed like any other time I've gone. I will post immediately. Now that my projects wrapping up, you're going to hear a bunch of rushed work in my postings to get everything perfect and done.
I had also gone to the studio a few days ago (yeah, didn't blog about that right away now did I....) but anyway I had made one pretty tall mug but it was still too wet to trim so I kept it covered. I guess I didn't feel the need to blog immediately about it (yes, I know, I should've) because I didn't have a ground breaking moment and it just seemed like any other time I've gone. I will post immediately. Now that my projects wrapping up, you're going to hear a bunch of rushed work in my postings to get everything perfect and done.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Debriefing on sample presentation
What would you like to borrow from the sample?
I'd like to borrow the power point idea to help guide me in what I want to say. I'd also like to borrow the confidence Luke had and speak with volume and complete comfort in front of no matter the number of people.
Strength of the sample? Luke's biggest strength to his project was playing us some music on the harmonica and also the confidence that led his presentation.
What will I do differently?
I was actually planning on having some sort of power point and also demonstrating how wheel throwing works. I'm not quite sure what exactly ill do differently besides having the presentation in a smaller location.
I'm being student evaluator to two classmates on June 14th! I'm really excited to see how others will go about presenting.
I'd like to borrow the power point idea to help guide me in what I want to say. I'd also like to borrow the confidence Luke had and speak with volume and complete comfort in front of no matter the number of people.
Strength of the sample? Luke's biggest strength to his project was playing us some music on the harmonica and also the confidence that led his presentation.
What will I do differently?
I was actually planning on having some sort of power point and also demonstrating how wheel throwing works. I'm not quite sure what exactly ill do differently besides having the presentation in a smaller location.
I'm being student evaluator to two classmates on June 14th! I'm really excited to see how others will go about presenting.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Listening to the coach
In the beginning of our project semester we were told that this is OUR project and if we don't want to take people's advice on how to go about doing it, that we didn't have to. In class yesterday we read an article about Olympic athletes and how they listen to their coaches, even with their years and years of training, they still take tips. The article asked, what about you? I guess personally I can say that I don't shoot down very many ideas before considering how they may help me. It is important to listen to people trying to help you because they can give you advice for something that you were never creative enough to come up with yourself. I agree with the article and think you should never be so set on your own goals that you can't steer away from them when given helpful advice by the "coach".
Monday, May 20, 2013
Home stretch
I've actually been working a lot the last week, but I have yet to post about it. These last few weeks are where people start to see themselves fall apart and I'm doing just that. Not to say that I'm any less motivated with my hands on work, but I've been having less strive to post about it. So here's a catch up.
Within the last week I've thrown two successful mugs, trimmed them, and added handles. One of them is small and pretty simply, and I'm very happy with the handle because it's one of my first successful pulled handles. What I mean by pulled is that I wedged out a piece of clay and literally pulled the clay down with my fingers with some water until it was lengthened out and skinny enough for use. The bottom for the mug was going perfectly and I was getting really excited but then, just like with many previous mugs, I wanted to get BETTER, trim just a little MORE, and messed it up. I did manage to fix it but it doesn't look like I had imagined it in my head.
The second mug is much larger than any I've made, but also extremely heavy. Well, "extremely" relative to other ones. I trimmed a lot of excess off the bottom and carved in some patterns to try and get rid of the weight and I'd say I did a pretty good job but it's still not exactly light. I then added another pulled handle (this one not as nice- but still pretty good) and attached it to that one as well.
Today I came back to the studio for a quick drop by to put the mugs out onto the shelf because I had to let the handles dry on the mugs a bit under a bag or else they could have dried too quickly and cracked and then, WHOOPS no more handle.
I'm excited to see how my project is going to end up as the clock ticks down. It's becoming a lot more stressful with all my end of the years tests and projects but I know this isn't the time to start giving up. I do plan on blogging more, with more pictures, and research, and planning. All that has yet to come!
Within the last week I've thrown two successful mugs, trimmed them, and added handles. One of them is small and pretty simply, and I'm very happy with the handle because it's one of my first successful pulled handles. What I mean by pulled is that I wedged out a piece of clay and literally pulled the clay down with my fingers with some water until it was lengthened out and skinny enough for use. The bottom for the mug was going perfectly and I was getting really excited but then, just like with many previous mugs, I wanted to get BETTER, trim just a little MORE, and messed it up. I did manage to fix it but it doesn't look like I had imagined it in my head.
The second mug is much larger than any I've made, but also extremely heavy. Well, "extremely" relative to other ones. I trimmed a lot of excess off the bottom and carved in some patterns to try and get rid of the weight and I'd say I did a pretty good job but it's still not exactly light. I then added another pulled handle (this one not as nice- but still pretty good) and attached it to that one as well.
Today I came back to the studio for a quick drop by to put the mugs out onto the shelf because I had to let the handles dry on the mugs a bit under a bag or else they could have dried too quickly and cracked and then, WHOOPS no more handle.
I'm excited to see how my project is going to end up as the clock ticks down. It's becoming a lot more stressful with all my end of the years tests and projects but I know this isn't the time to start giving up. I do plan on blogging more, with more pictures, and research, and planning. All that has yet to come!
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Colors!
A mug of mine came out and the colors are so vibrant and random! I used a chunky glaze called Snow Fire. The crystals inside the glaze exploded and created this color splash.
The mug itself isn't my favorite mug because it doesn't have a handle and the shape is a bit odd so I'm thinking I might paint another mug the same or a similar color.
The mug itself isn't my favorite mug because it doesn't have a handle and the shape is a bit odd so I'm thinking I might paint another mug the same or a similar color.
Monday, May 13, 2013
High fire vs. low fire?
Low fire:
This is the most commonly used firing. The way you paint the low fire glazes, they will always come out the same color with no to very little variation. This is glaze that can become unstable at higher temperatures. Some problems that occur with low fire are:
http://www.sheffield-pottery.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/spectrum-700_2.jpg
High fire:
A lot of high fires are porcelains and stonewares. Because of the varying effects of oxidation and reduction on glaze colorants, there are very limited glazes and effects that high fires can produce and you never know exactly how the product will turn out.
http://www.livinggallery.cc/SMITH-Flowingexample.jpg
This is the most commonly used firing. The way you paint the low fire glazes, they will always come out the same color with no to very little variation. This is glaze that can become unstable at higher temperatures. Some problems that occur with low fire are:
- the clay body may remain overly porous
- low-fire glaze colors can appear raw-looking
- many of the traditional glaze materials used in this range are quite toxic in their raw state.
- Low fire glazes mostly need a top clear coat in order for them to be food safe.
High fire:
A lot of high fires are porcelains and stonewares. Because of the varying effects of oxidation and reduction on glaze colorants, there are very limited glazes and effects that high fires can produce and you never know exactly how the product will turn out.
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