: Idaho Potter - Viewing Profile

The first time I worked with clay (other than mud pies when very young) was when my daughter (7yrs.) wanted to take ceramics and the only class available said that children under tem must be accompanied by an adult. At the time, I was a woodcarver, so--except for one pot--I produced sculptures. Didn't touch clay again for 13 years when I had a time period between classes (at BSU) that I either had to fill with a class or find a soft place to nap. It was easier taking a class--ceramics 101.

Shirley

Water protection is at its best when clay reaches vitrification. So if you are working with mid-fire clays, that means firing to the cone (5 or 6) for that clay. I have several cups I've purchased from other potters that are glazed inside and on the lip, but no glaze on the outside. They don't leak.

Shirley

When you are doing your regular bisque and glaze firings, do you start the wheel at #1? It then progresses to #9 which is all elements getting all available juice until the time runs out or your kiln sitter shuts down. I believe the wheel controls the relays that control how long the elements are receiving electricity. I have used it to try holding a temp. So far no problems, but that could be just dumb luck. The wheel can be moved anytime and set at any number. The knob that sets the firing speed (A - E) controls the wheel. If you set it for slow firing, the wheel takes longer to move from one number to another.

Shirley

Alright youse guys. . . I'm gonna out-geezer all of you.

Back when the IBM 360 was just a baby project, data-keeping came from keypunched cards(keypunch machine) that were sorted (sorter machine) then were combined with other keypunched cards on a collator machine and the resultant trays of cards (thousands and thousands) were then put through a tabulating machine so the information could be printed out and analyzed by people who had no idea what they were looking for or at.

Each of these machines (except the keypunch) had to be programmed differently for each job. The programming was done by external wires on a control board. That was my job and I was pretty darn good at it. Every time someone wanted a specific list of information I had to grab a new control board and several handfuls of wires and work out a new programto satisfy the end user.

At about the same time, IBM was working on their new computer (only took up half a floor of space) the 1410. I took five to six classes (we are talking about the late 1950's) of programming. Does anyone remember COBAL? I hated the "Sky is Blue" approach to learning and finally switched jobs. At that time, plugging in wires was a heck of a lot easier than learning a new language that hardly anybody had a handle on.

Look where we are now. I used to think my grandmother had seen rapid changes. She was born in 1890, and died in 1983. Her changes encompassed the auto, the airplane, radio, TV, movies (silent and talkies) and computers. Back then, news was talking to strangers traveling through your area, newspapers, followed by radio, and finally TV. The internet (the world of computers talking to one another) never penetrated her world. Gossip was considered a reliable source of news and if it was embarassing, never made the newspaper. Now, everything is instant. A person's--regardless of gender, age, profession, status--life can go from victory to ignoble defeat in a matter of hours and the whole world knows. Even if the world couldn't actually tell you anything about the person being vilified, they are more than willing to pass on rumors/facts. This is progress?

Shirley

I was losing track of some tools, but frankly, the rigamarole of magnets, glue and whatever is almost as bothersome as losing a tool in the bucket. I was at a thrift store and saw a small plastic silverware holder for 50 cents. It has turned out to be wonderful! I keep it close by my wheel and use the spoon area (across the end) for my ribs, and the other sections for the rest of my tools (one section for needle tool and other sharp things). If it gets grubby, just rinse and drain along with the tools. Okay, it still kinda piggy most of the time, but I know where the tools are.

Shirley