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Even the Pros Mess Up Spouts! Potter Lorna Meaden Demonstrates “A Great Way to Fix a Spout You Ruined” November 6, 2009
Today, Lorna Meaden explains a great way to fix a messed-up pitcher spout by adding coils when the pot is leather hard and re-pulling the spout. Not only is it a great way to fix mess-ups, but it is also a great way to add length to a pulled spout. Watch the video!
You Say Neriage, I Say Nerikomi…No Matter What You Call it, Mixing Colored Clays Makes for Gorgeous Pottery Surfaces November 4, 2009
Today Robin Hopper explains the distinction between neriage and nerikomi, as it was explained to him by Thomas Hoadley, a long time colored clay aficionado. He also explains how to create a lovely marbled rim bowl like the one shown at left.
Adding Dimension to Stenciled Imagery on Pottery November 2, 2009
Stenciling is a great decorative technique for pottery. In the latest issue of Pottery Making Illustrated, Ann Ruel shares her ideas for getting a stenciled look with more dimension. I thought her ideas were pretty nifty so I have excerpted from the article in today's post.
Wheel Throwing Video: How to Throw and Facet a Pitcher on the Pottery Wheel October 30, 2009
In today's video, potter Stephen Jepson demonstrates how to throw a pitcher on the pottery wheel and then facet it with a cheese slicer. Watch the video!
The Month in Clay - November 2009 October 28, 2009
I am way fired up, folks. I just got back from the Potters Council Expressive Surfaces workshop at Red Star Studios in Kansas City, Missouri. This workshop was EXACTLY what I needed to get motivated about getting into the studio. Not only were the workshop presenters, Lorna Meaden and Mark Peters, superbly awesome, but Red Star has such a great selection of work for sale in their gallery that it was just plain inspiring to take it all in. That's why I advise you all to get out there and look at work. Lots of work! To help you do that, I am presenting some highlights of what's going on this November in this months edition of The Month in ...
It Slices, It Dices! Some Simple Glaze Tests Reveal a Ceramic Glaze That Can Do it All (well, almost) October 26, 2009
Kristina Bogdanov, who teaches at Ohio Wesleyan College in Delaware, Ohio, was intrigued when she realized that one of the class glazes seemed to fire well at cone 10 reduction in a gas kiln, cone 6 in an electric kiln, and cone 9 reduction in a soda kiln without any change in the recipe. So she ran the glaze through a battery of tests to see just how versatile it was. Today, in an excerpt from the 2010 Buyers Guide for Ceramic Arts, Kristina explains her testing process and the results.
Clay’s Fascinating Cousin: A Glimpse into the World of Precious Metal Clay October 23, 2009
In this clip, Hattie Sanderson, a certified Precious Metal Clay instructor, explains the basic PMC tools and lingo, and presents an introductory earring project. Watch the video!
Combining Histories: Make, Scan, Mill, Print, Adjust, Repeat October 21, 2009
For the past few years we have utilized several forms of rapid prototyping to explore new methods of creating form. At The Ohio State University ceramics program, we have a large Techno Isel CNC (computer numerically controlled) router and a Konica Minolta Vivid 910 3D scanner, a Z-Corp 510 3D printer and a soon-to-be-operational Epilog laser cutter. In an environment where research and development are crucial activities, we willingly embrace these new technologies in search of a balance between traditional craft and industrial practice.
Testing 1…2…3: How to Test Clay Bodies to Find the Right Sculpture or Pottery Clay for Your Work October 21, 2009
Today, Paul Wandless explains how a combination of simple tests can give you plenty of information that will make choosing and learning about pottery and sculpture clays a little easier.
Clay on the Wall: An Introduction to Hanging Ceramic Wall Pieces October 19, 2009
Today, in an excerpt from her new book Wall Pieces (available November 2009 in the Ceramic Arts Daily Bookstore), Dominique Bivar Segurado goes over several materials and methods for hanging ceramic wall art.
Ceramic Sculpture Video - The Curious Case of Benjamin Ballclay: See An Old Man Become Youthful in Under Two Minutes October 16, 2009
We have two videos for you today. For fun, you can watch ceramic sculptor Philippe Faraut sculpt the years away and return an old man to his youth in under two minutes. Plus, you can watch the reverse in real time, complete with expert instructions. Watch the videos!
Thin Slips: The Key to Decorating Pottery Surfaces with Slips in the Bisque State October 14, 2009
Potter Terry Gess uses slip to decorate his pottery surfaces when they are in the bisqueware state. He likes the freedom that comes with knowing he can experiment and if he doesn't like the results he can just wash it off and start over. But there are technical challenges to this method. He explains those today and shares three of his slip recipes.
Attention Ceramic Sculpture Fans: New Download on Contemporary Clay Sculpture Available! October 12, 2009
Sculptor Doug Herren discusses his approach to making art, surviving as an artist and his best advice for those wishing to do the same.
It’s Raining Cats and Frogs! How to Turn Wheel Thrown Functional Pottery into Clay Animal Sculptures October 9, 2009
In today's pottery video, potters Don Ellis and Randy Brodnax playfully demonstrate how, with a little imagination, you can turn your pots into all manner of creatures great and small. Don shows us how to alter a pot into a cat sculpture, while Randy makes a frog out of a pot he slammed onto the ground after throwing. Watch the video!
2-D to 3-D: Using Image Transfer and Mishima Techniques to Make Drawings on Pottery October 7, 2009
In today's post, an excerpt from the November/December 2009 issue of Pottery Making Illustrated, Molly Hatch explains how she uses image transfer and Mishima techniques to create her drawings in clay. Plus she shares her slip and engobe recipes.
Make Your Pottery Shine Without Glaze: Sumi Von Dassow Explains the Basics of Burnishing Pottery October 5, 2009
In today's post, an excerpt from her new book Low Firing and Burnishing, Sumi Von Dassow explains the basics of burnishing pottery, from the tools to use, to a couple of basic techniques.
Less Water, More Control: The Benefits of Dry Throwing on the Pottery Wheel October 2, 2009
In today's video, potter Whitney Smith explains that with a little practice, learning to throw pottery using less water can open doors for you and help you take your pottery to the next level. Watch the video!
The Month in Clay - October 2009 September 30, 2009
October 2009 is brimming with great ceramics events and I am presenting some highlights here. Enjoy browsing through the beautiful images presented and, if possible, get out to see the work or attend a workshop in person!
The Many Layers of Kiln Wash: How to Find the Best Kiln Wash for Your Firing Temperature and Methods September 28, 2009
In this post, John Britt explains that giving a bit more consideration to kiln wash might help potters avoid some of the common kiln wash headaches - like scraping cracked kiln wash off shelves or lamenting an otherwise perfect piece that was ruined by a flake of kiln wash. Plus he shares some kiln wash recipes for various firing techniques.
From Sad to Happy in Four Minutes: A Quick Course in Changing Facial Expressions in Figurative Ceramic Sculpture September 25, 2009
We all know that a smile means happy, but what happens to the rest of the face when you smile? Philippe Faraut knows, and today, he'll show us as he transforms a sculpture with a not-so-happy expression into a bright, smiling face (in about four minutes!). Watch the video!
