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Since someone else resurrected this thread, I will update. I have since fired another bisque and two glaze. It's exciting and disappointing to see the successes and failures, but I learn something each time. I have actually sold a couple of pieces; spoon rests, sponge holders, yarn bowls... nothing too brilliant, but still encouraging!

On the downside, I have been working a LOT, and have not had any time at all in my studio lately. I gotta fix that.

Couple of things:

First, I wouldn't lump all potters in with any other group, and I wouldn't lump all potters in the SAME group. Everyone is different, and I wouldn't put anything past anybody. We have had numerous artists trespass and steal from our farm in the name of their art. I don't think any of us could say with 100% certainty that no potter would ever steal horse hair. That's just not realistic.

That being said, I agree that even if there are some potters stealing horse hair, the numbers would be so small that it certainly wouldn't contribute measurably to this problem.

Second, if you do have a source for your horsehair, please consider offering them a little something for it. We supply hay to many horse farms in our area, and because of the nation-wide drought, the cost of feeding those beasts has risen drastically. Horse owners are hurting right now.

That is all.

Check craigslist for used kilns. I got a great deal on one there!

Cass, on 12 September 2012 - 12:52 PM, said:

OR... I could just make my husband roll out my slabs with that!

I am definitely going to try that wet sponge/twisting method.

The studio at school where I learned used hot wax in an electric skillet. After doing some research, I read that using soy wax instead of paraffin was less hazardous. My waxing is done in a very well ventilated area, so I don't worry about it too much, but it's something you could look into if you really like waxing. One thing to note, the soy wax has a different consistency than paraffin, but to me it works just as well.