Open studio

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Yes, I cooked the turkey, and learn the lesson how to thaw 20lb turkey in one day. I have seen it on the movie using the bath tub. It was very close.  I used the sink and did work, and had no heath issues to report.  Just time consuming changing water every 30minutes. It was well worth it, though.

Open studio and sale is December 3rd (5pm-9pm)  and 4th (noon-4pm).  I have one more firing (I had one this week), and need a serious cleaning, and lots of signs.



See the white glaze?  I got this idea, a plain white piece with no design. Get the contract by the movement of the clay.  It produces nice contrast. The glaze looks good, warmer on the oxidation, but too cold (white) on the reduction. My firing is mostly reduction, and get a couple problem spots with the oxidation.  This glaze will not work as it is.

I broke my netbook's LCD.  I have been carrying it around everyday almost three year and am writing this blog with it.  There are new generation of netbook as well as Ipad. I tried the Ipad the other day, but was not able to see how the Japanese typing, etc.  With $45, I ordered the LCD to fix it. Will see.

Nameshi (chamois)

I have been looking for the good nameshi for a while.  It is chamois, for smoothing and finishing the edge when throwing. I have seen some in art stores for drawing use, which is very thin.  It works, but tends to lose with the throwing slip water.
I bought the current one in Japan while back, 10-15 years ago, and it starts to tear. This is a deer skin, I believe.  I was in Pittsburgh last weekend visiting a ceramic supply store.  They did not carry the chamois, but directed me to Lowe's, the home building supply store.  They sell as a drying cloth at the cleaning supply aisle.  This is thick and very similar to one I have.  Maybe a bit softer side, but does the job. One negative so far is the strange smell coming from the throwing bucket, like a seaweed found on the beach.  I hope this is just the treatment used for the skin, and goes away. Now, I have more than enough lifetime supply of chamois, suddenly, or more than ten time over...

shelves 1

I have been working on new shelves for the show next year.  The current shelves are more than 15 years old, and can't find the same ones anymore. Last couple years, it starts to show sign of wear and tear, and are getting dirty.  It is very sturdy and light, that I really liked them. It does not look as good as other people's display.

It worked.  I have been thinking to replace it for couple years, but could not come up with good design.  I want it to set up easily, sturdy, light weight and compact to transport. I tried to come up with something in the spring, and run out of time before the show season begins.  So I decided to work on now.  This is a prototype. It is light, sort of sturdy.  I need to figure out how to attach the back wall while stable against the wind.  I realized the size frame is too thick to stuck up in the van.  I am not sure the color of the shelve against the pottery is right one.  I might paint it to white, or stain it to white.  I do not know.