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.

Happy Halloween

Proceed to merge

I drove to Syracuse, NY yesterday, and stuck in traffic jam for one hour, probably usual for the metropolitan city.  I heard on the radio there was truck turn over, but I was at the end of the cleaning up.  I always think people proceed to the point of merge (where actual arrow sign to merge) and merge alternatively from one lane to the other, rather merging into the lane when warning sign “one lane closed ahead” ten miles ahead of time. This just creates more traffic jam from the point of people merging.  If the people go to the end of the merge and merge alternatively, the traffic continues to move slowly.  When the car stops,  reaction times to stop the car hereafter add up to the point creating another traffic jam. I wish the sign says that “the lane closed, and proceed to the merge”. Two car ahead of me  just keep a pace with the car on his/her next lane even there was no traffic in front of him or her for more than 1500 feet.  Maybe guilt, I do not know, but just made any sense.  Anyway, enough that. This web site explained this better than me if you are interested.  I saw the perfect rainbow while idling.


I had a good time talking with Tina at the Eureka Craft.  She just came back from  the workshop by Ellen Shankin (my favorite potter) in Italy.  I wish I went.  I am sort of a hitting wall, and want to come out of the routine production.  I need a bit different shape, or something new.  I have stayed away from the Ceramic Monthly for a long time now, afraid of too much influence by other potters' work.  Talk with Tina made me think it is about to time to expose to workshops and other potters' technique, maybe.  She mentioned me about the 16 hands.  There is one in November. I am very tempted....

Kiln is loaded, but wait until Monday.  Too windy...

Testing mugs

Leaves are burning right now. It is definitely one of beautiful season in Rochester.


Flesh out of the kiln. I test the mugs with boiling water once a while to see any problem with the thermal shock.
They passed.

Thermal shock. If you pour water in ice cube, it cracks.  It is similar to that.  Sudden change of temperature makes the clay and the glaze to expand, if their rates are not the same, it cracks.
If you throw the pot unevenly, it may causes the thermal shock. If the clay and glaze do not fit, the properties of the clay, list goes on. It is good idea to put a spoon (metal) in a cup when pour the hot boiling water, and start with the cold oven. I usually put a dish in 355F oven as long it is room temperature (not from fridge), though.  I read somewhere that 400F is too hot.   I stop making the pie dish long time ago, as everyone bakes differently, and sometimes it broke beyond my control, but I replaced them anyway.
I am testing a white glaze recently.  I used to use the Vivika's white glaze until I start using the white stoneware and it started to crazing. I am not sure how I am going to apply it.  This glaze does not show any crazing on the current clay.

Good autumn day

Opened th kiln today. Another good firing.



Spend this afternoon at the Letchworth State Park. I am not exhibiting the show, starting tomorrow. I did once very long time ago, and it snowed and sales was very poor. I decided not after that. I don't think it snowed since..

Very warm and nice day. Walking in the woods and looking at falls. I am out of shape for walking for sure... Lethworth state park is known as "Grand Canyon of the East". This is very beautiful park. It rained last couple days, and the fall was spectucular!