Ceramic Arts Daily – Bonus Monday Ceramics Video: A Visit to Lisa Bone’s Pottery Studio

A while back, Ceramic Arts Daily had a contest in which we invited our readers to submit video tours of their pottery studios. There was only one winner and two runners up, but we had a lot of great entries which we have shared with you occasionally. Today, in a special bonus Monday video, we are sharing one of the honorable mentions from that contest. In this video, Ceramic Arts Daily reader Lisa Bone gives a tour of her studio and shares some of the tools she uses to make her studio more efficient and ergonomic. Happy Monday! – Jennifer Harnetty, editor.
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“WHAT IF?” Sandi Pierantozzi shows how these two words can help you take your work in new directions in her two-disc DVD What if? Explorations with Texture and Soft Slabs. What direction will your work take? Order your copy and find out!

51 Comments on "Bonus Monday Pottery Video: A Visit to Lisa Bone’s Pottery Studio"

Deanne June 10, 2011 at 9:47 pm -

I too have windows 7 – checked out adobe flash and I have the latest version – what’s going on?
Jean May 25, 2011 at 9:15 am -

Good idea about the wedging table being at 45 deg angle. However, the few studio’s I have worked in have always had canvas wedging tables. Plaster was only used to reclaim and recycle clay. I love the idea of the individual wedging boards but would have thought that they would dry the clay out too quickly. Can anyone enlighten me about using plaster instead of canvas? Perhaps I am using an old-fashioned method here in SA.
tamera May 24, 2011 at 5:22 pm -

I am a High School teacher and learned some great ideas from you, Lisa. The slip bowl would be helpful even though we are fortunate enough to have and use a pug mill. I like the old school style canvas wedging boards and use awning material which is a bit water proof and presents less of dust hazard than cotton canvas as it is easier to wash. Still I might make a few plaster wedge boards with old cookie sheets. The flex steel might be a nice pick me up for the students who are motivated by accessing multiple materials and techniques. Thanks for the tips.
Evelyn May 23, 2011 at 11:19 am -

My Safari on my Mac has only occasional problems, but unfortunately, I was able to see it once and when I went back to write down Fast steel and Quick copper I was unable to get it to play. FORTUNATELY, the comments here gave me the info I needed. I’m just hoping now that I can find the items online by using google. Has anyone bought either of these products? If so, could your post where yo were able to get them? Thanks in advance!
Maria May 23, 2011 at 2:59 am -

Thanks for sharing your ideas Lisa. I think the slip basin will be really useful.
Susan May 17, 2011 at 10:31 pm -

Thanks Lisa! Love the organized feel of the studio and esp. the slip basin! So many great ideas, so little time!!!
susan May 16, 2011 at 6:55 pm -

I have not been able to see the video. This happens frequently. I have read all the comments and I really wish I could view her video. Sounds as if she has some great tips. Oh well.
Kathleen May 15, 2011 at 11:45 pm -

Regarding my previous post – I uninstalled IE9 on my Windows 7 Operating System and went back to IE8. Glad to say that videos are back and working on Ceramic Art Daily.
Kathleen May 15, 2011 at 11:15 pm -

I’ve noticed that since I installed Internet Explorer 9, videos from this site have quit working. I watch the videos frequently and so it seems to be a problem with the new browser version. I see other people are having similar problems.
Susie May 15, 2011 at 12:07 pm -

Lisa, Thanks for all your great organizational tip. Loved the tip about the fast steel Thank You to Jennifer for the and the additional tip about Quik Copper. I have always wanted to embellish with semi precious stones !!!!!!!! WOOHOOO!
Katrina May 15, 2011 at 3:25 am -

I just love organised potters – so much easier to work in a well organised space. Cheers Gareth – not Katrina who does not do organised anything :)
Meadow May 14, 2011 at 10:25 am -

Hi Lisa… really enjoyed all your tips. The slip basin will work well in a school atmosphere I will simply make up one for placement on each wheel. I think it will save lots of clay from being dumped down the sink!! Especially for a really thick mess that students forget to dump in the recycle!! However, I also leave much of the thinner slip over a couple days/nights in the water buckets and all the water comes to the top. You can pour off the clean water and use the thickened slip for slab and hand building since it is usually clear of lumps. I keep a big container and pour it all in and always have a large supply ready when ever I teach slab building classes. To the person placing the slap roller against the wall. It would be advisable to have assess to both sides if you are making many slabs. Unless your machine is one of the narrower versions sometimes the canvas gets stuck and you need to get to the other side roller. I also use my slab roller for monoprints. Works like a charm with 1/8″ plexiglass sheets to ink up or your metal plates and a cut up wool blanket (from goodwill) instead of expensive felt blankets from art suppliers! (I use a clean canvas material layer on top of the wool blanket so it will not catch in the rollers) I print with all kinds of print papers. You just need a big tray to wet your paper but you can also use your bathtub and beach towels to drain the access water!! Who said your slab roller was just for clay!!!! Meadow (multimedia artist)
Mark May 14, 2011 at 9:33 am -

Thanks Lisa–I’m going to go make some bases for my existing wedging tables…what a great idea! And Fast Steel is another great hint. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to achieve such a clean studio though…I’m envious! And to all of the folks with audio/video problems; Safari on a Mac has no problems ; )
linda May 13, 2011 at 1:26 am -

can not see the video…could you try to send me a new link…?
Martha May 12, 2011 at 8:25 pm -

can’t get any of the videos lately. Such a shame as I look forward to the experience and sharing. Martha Griffith
Deborah May 12, 2011 at 7:04 pm -

LOVE the slip basin! And the attachment putty
Shirley A May 12, 2011 at 6:28 pm -

I also have no sound nor on the Friday video as well. Have the latest Flash player and am working Vista with IE8. Went into MY archives and had no problem with any other video–just the last two.
Brenda May 12, 2011 at 12:01 pm -

I really enjoyed the tips …… especially the FS. I too like incorporating natural elements into my pieces and this sounds like a great solution as to attachment. Thanks Lisa!
Steve May 11, 2011 at 2:50 pm -

Lisa, I have a question about your wedging table. Its sounded like you said your table was at a 45 degree angle. In the video, the angle looks a bit shallower than that. Can you confirm? Thanks.
Diane May 11, 2011 at 12:35 pm -

I have Windows Vista, also no sound, but love the dog.
Sharon May 11, 2011 at 11:21 am -

Lisa, thanks so much for inviting us in to view your very organized studio and offer us your tips. Thanks to those who replied to my kiln info request. I already have a vent and will be definitely be installing with Ralph’s recommendations in mind. I think I am going to have to sell my two older kilns and update to one thicker firebrick kiln. It’s time anyhow. Thanks again everyone.
Laurence G. May 11, 2011 at 5:04 am -

No sound on Internet Explorer 9, even in compatability mode. Solution: download and install Firefox browser. That played the sound fine.
Elaine May 10, 2011 at 11:05 pm -

Thank you Lisa, Love your ideas. Do you use your slip bowl for trimmed clay and add water, as well as for slip clay?
shirley May 10, 2011 at 10:40 pm -

omg once again i spaeak before i try… fs is something to be explored because it is a medium that works with clay…how can i say it is cheating when i use agates, blue tacks, and anything that can enhance my work????? anyway, am really interested in pottery studio procedures… does anybody have ideas for keeping it clean for the next potter…we have alot of people that use our space and i get so frustrated when i have to come in and clean before i can work…whats up with that…shouldnt we all respect the next potter and his creativity and more important health?????
Markie May 10, 2011 at 6:08 pm -

Lisa, thank you so much for tidying, showing and telling us all about your tips, etc. Love it, love it, love it!
Ecira May 10, 2011 at 12:35 pm -

“All is fair in love and war”… and art.
Lisa May 10, 2011 at 10:34 am -

The whole Idea of using Fast Steel for me is because I love to use embellishments with my pieces… IE….. natural stones…. since I couldn’t figure out a way to be “true to clay” and have the stones stay in place without an adhesive , I resorted to a product that holds the stones and looks like black smoked raku’d clay. (I primarily fire only raku) The FS is not a replacement for a clay handle… I don’t WANT a clay handle, I want a pretty piece of turquoise or agate…. think jewelry for clay. That and the fact that I can add texture to FS further enhance it with small beads or stones just works for me.
Anne-Berte May 10, 2011 at 2:47 am -

Lisa, what a nice studio. Many great ideas to make work easier :-) I need to rearrange my studio- like the order of the trays of glaze. It’s just getting started and try to improve ;-) http://anne-berte.no
shirley May 10, 2011 at 1:08 am -

allan gotta agree.. fs is cheating. we must stay true to our clay.. whats so hard about making a handle to a lid??? but love all your ideas…lisa…something new is always inspiring…
Angie May 9, 2011 at 10:37 pm -

Lisa… I enjoyed your video, tips, and your studio! Your plastered cookie trays are innovative, and I may have to borrow that idea soon. The “plug” for Fast Steel was effective- I’ve never heard of it before…but can hardly wait to try some :) Thank you :)
jan May 9, 2011 at 7:15 pm -

GOT IT FIRST TIME THATS HAPPENED, LOVE THE VIDEO THANKYOU YOU HARD WORKING TEAM KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK I THINK ALL OF US WOULD PREFER TO GET NEW VIDEOS EVERY DAY BUT I THINK WE COULD BE DREAMING AH
jan May 9, 2011 at 6:57 pm -

YES ME TO NO SOUND OTHER VIDEOS ALL HAVE SOUND PLEASE HELP JAN NZ
allan May 9, 2011 at 6:27 pm -

Thanks Lisa:::how wonderful to be able to sit back and listen to the audio… instead of having to crouch over the computer because of low volume… but the accent, you have to decipher colour/collar but in replaying see that soo clean studio and telephone? I usually have a plastic shopping bag over mine! but dont you have answermachines in US? About FS, wouldnt it be easier to make a knob on a lid, then glaze/fire, even if you have to make clay stones. Can only think the FS is cheating for on a slippery glazed surface, in a few years time this could give pottery a bad name.
shirley May 9, 2011 at 6:19 pm -

lISA, EXCELLENT IDEAS. WE CANNOT AFFORD A PUGMILL YET SO THE IDEA OF THE SLIP BASIN IS AWESOME…ALSO HAVE ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH PEOPLE CLEANING UP. OR SHOULD I SAY NOT CLEANING UP. I’VE TRIED TO IMPRESS ON THEM THE DANGERS OF CLAY DUST AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO WET MOP AFTER EVERY THROWING…AM I BEING TO HARD ON THEM???
Rick May 9, 2011 at 5:53 pm -

I don’t know what it is about these videos, but invariably I ALWAYS have a problem with the audio with all of them. I’m on Windows 7 also. No problem on You Tube videos – it’s something unique to Ceramic Arts Daily!
Ralph May 9, 2011 at 4:58 pm -

Lisa, super great ideas. To Sharon who is putting a kiln in her basement. I put a 4.4 cu foot kiln in my basement. There is absolutely no problem with heat. The firebrick is really amazing stuff. Until you open the kiln you won’t feel any heat to speak of. I do have the 3 inch firebrick versus the 2.5 inch firebrick so that helps. You will need to follow guidelines on clearance, but again you will see that a good kiln doesn’t need too much clearance. I put mine in a corner so that two walls are concrete. I use my wheel only about 3 feet from the kiln. You MUST vent the kiln. I rented a big hammer drill and with a 1/2 inch bit I made about a 4 inch circle the concrete block wall to vent the kiln. If you order a kiln and the vent, the manufacturer will probably drill two 1/4 inch holes in the bottom of the kiln. I used L&L Kilns and used their downdraft VentSure. You screw the fan to the wall and run a four inch round metal duct to a connector under the kiln. The metal duct only gets to about 150 degrees so not unsafe. But the vent gets rid of the fumes. Also I plugged in one of those 120 volt carbon monoxide detectors near the kiln. Also make sure your kiln is close enough to the plug as you can’t use an extension cord (you’ll probably need a 240v plug with separate circuit breaker). I also was not sure about the heat so I stayed up the whole night when I did my first test fire, and of course then I witnessed the amazing insulation power of the firebrick. But again be sure you look all around the kiln including down and up to ensure clearance from wood etc. I doubled the recommmended clearances anyway.
Chester E May 9, 2011 at 4:53 pm -

I can’t watch vids from CA daily. I’ve uninstalled older free vers of adobe flash & reinstalled the latest vers. I still have adobe flash pro from Adobe web premium CS3 w/ photoshop, dreamweaver, etc. I had no trouble til recently. I’m operating on win7. Anyone have an idea? thanks, Chet
Francesca May 9, 2011 at 4:36 pm -

I will definately use your idea for slip collection and reuse. Thanks! Francesca in Elmhurst, IL
Lisa May 9, 2011 at 4:01 pm -

ps… I apply the Fast Steel directly to glazed pottery with no problems of releasing. If I am doing anything with terra sig pieces I apply it before any wax finish…..
Lisa May 9, 2011 at 3:56 pm -

Hi all, Fast Steel is the product I use. I got it at Home Depot… I never saw the copper color and can’t wait to try that out. I don’t have my kiln vented. I do run my kiln only when no one is in the studio with the doors and windows open. I have many windows and two big doors for lots of cross ventilation. :) Lisa Bone
Missy May 9, 2011 at 3:16 pm -

I’m new to ceramics but love it. I’m presently designing and building a studio. I also do stained glass work and drafting, so my floorplan has to accomodate lots of different things. I’m mostly interested in making tiles and am planning for a slab roller. is there anything I need to keep in mind while saving a spot for it? For example: I know the slab table needs room to slide, but I’m planning on having it against a wall- any reason not to do that? Any other input for this shop will be GREATLY appreciated!
Christine May 9, 2011 at 1:15 pm -

I love the ideas here for adding stones! Wondering how well the FastSteel actually stays stuck to a glazed surface. Do you need to leave a portion unglazed? Do you need to rough up the glaze in that area? Hmmm.. Love new ideas!! Thanks so much for sharing!
julie May 9, 2011 at 1:07 pm -

anyone else have audio problem? my speakers work, but not on this wideo
Karen May 9, 2011 at 12:55 pm -

I love the slip basen idea. I am a novice at pottery and look for ideas ever where. Thank you :)
annetted4 May 9, 2011 at 12:36 pm -

To Sharon who’s putting a studio in her basement. Venting that kiln is super important. It’s not about the heat. The more important problem is the fumes. They are NOT GOOD FOR YOU.
Donna May 9, 2011 at 12:32 pm -

Love the slip basin idea! I’ve been putting mine in a plastic bucket, then pouring it into a cotton pillow case to firm up….big hastle! Going to make one right now!
Jennifer May 9, 2011 at 12:05 pm -

I had never heard of Faststeel before, so looked it up and found out there are other colours, one of which is QuikCopper, which is a copper colour, which I would like to try. Thanks for all the great ideas.
Karin May 9, 2011 at 12:00 pm -

I couldn’t catch the word of the stuff she bought from Home Depot—Fast ???? looked like it might be epoxy, but who knows? I ‘d love to know so please enlighten me. I thought the drying clay plaster “bowlie” was a good idea for small amounts of leftover wet clay. I use a huge dome of plaster for my reclaiming because I reclaim a lot from my cutting. You can make a large plaster dome in a huge stainless steel bowl. Easy, cheap and highly functional. Thanks! KarinGivon DancingDragonPottery.net
Casey May 9, 2011 at 11:19 am -

Thanks Lisa! Love the slip basin idea (no pug mill here) and the cookie tray/plaster idea is great – we do a lot of travel/teaching. I may want even some for my own!
Elizabeth May 9, 2011 at 10:51 am -

I love the tour! Some really neat ideas! As high school art teacher, I like to try out the cookie sheet idea. Thanks for sharing.
Sharon May 9, 2011 at 10:48 am -

I am about to build a studio in my basement. There will not be a window in this room. I noticed Lisa Bone’s studio has her kilns right in the same room as she is working in. What about the heat off the kiln. How are they affecting the heat throughout the rest of the home as well as work in progress? I have a kiln vent that I will drill a hole through the foundation to vent to the outside but I am concerned how much heat remains in the room and spills out to the house. Any advice here?

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Bonus Monday Pottery Video: A Visit to Lisa Bone’s Pottery Studio

51 Comments on "Bonus Monday Pottery Video: A Visit to Lisa Bone’s Pottery Studio"

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