: atanzey - Viewing Profile

I pug everything - rehydrated greenware, splash pan waste, slurry bucket (after letting it dry out to plastic consistency, of course). I try pretty hard to keep the fine slip in it, because I've assumed that it would lose plasticity without it. In addition to that, I usually do a half-to-half (roughly) ratio of recycle to new clay. Yes, I pug my new clay. When it's brand new, it's just right, but since I buy in bulk, by the time I use the last boxes, it needs the recycle to soften it up.

Alice

I have a vent-a-kiln that came with my used kiln purchase. While I 'wanted' a bottom mount vent, I couldn't (yet) justify buying another when I have one. I'm fairly happy with the heat removal aspect of it. Part of their sales pitch on their website is that they've been called in to 'fix' overheating rooms with bottom vented kilns. For whatever that's worth!

Alice

Tom - that is funny to me because..... I just went online the other evening to order a couple more fettling knives.... You've given me a glimpse of my future.

Alice

Thanks, Jim, but I gotta tell you - I copied that from Pres- the mugs on his blog are posted above my wheel.....

And I don't really underestimate my abilities. But I don't come up with 'new' ideas, which is how I define creativity. Maybe my definition is faulty!

Alice

I'm not a teacher; I'm an engineer. So I'll only offer a personal opinion. From the time I was about 10, my piano teacher tried to encourage me to improvise. Not happening. Some 40+ years later, if it's not music on the page, I can't make it up.

Same with ceramics and other arts. People around me would tell you I'm very creative. I know better. I'm a very good, very techincal copiest. I produce good products using other people's creativity. In clay, I prefer functional items, so that's my thing.

So I don't think you can really TEACH creativity. If it's there, you could probably encourage it to flourish, but how do you put thoughts in someone's head. I'd LOVE to write a book (to make my million), but I don't really have anything to say.....

Alice