LINKS - QUICK & EASY SOLUTIONS FOR CLAY

Teresa Gagne passed on this link, and I love the way it is organized.

It has a number of useful categories. There are "How To Tips" on throwing, Firing, Glazing, Repair,Improving your studio and Kid Projects. There are also Handbuilding Projects and a Video section.

Check out the site at: http://lakesidepottery.com/Pages/Tips.html

TERESA GAGNE WORKSHOP

This workshop was organized to start getting the creative juices flowing for our exhibition "Musicality".

                                         Ring Rattle

                                          Upper portion for a drum - note lip

                                          Magic Water & Slip

                                          Rainstick

                                          Our First Rattles
 
Teresa Gagne
Teresa demonstrated how to throw a drum in two parts, how to make rattles from pinch pots as well as, how to make rainsticks using stainless steel rods. We had the opportunity to listen to clay instruments and check out the lovely book, entitled From Mud to Music. There were a number of instruments there to look at.

Ensuing Discussions
Vicki brought in one of her own hand-made flutes - wow, her knowledge is impressive. We are thinking of setting aside another Saturday - possibly in January, to make more instruments. Vicki suggested that these be lent to musicians to create a short improvisational piece to be recorded for our exhibition. Louise brought in slides from a German Exhibition in Cologne entitled "Ceramics and Sound" - which will be on view at the next meeting.

Slip
Teresa used dried pieces of 370 clay we were using, to grind into a powder. Water is added to the powder to arrive at a consistency of thick yoghurt. Be sure to add a drop or two of deflocculant to the water:

A deflocculant can be thought of as preventing the clay particles from "flocking" together (like sheep!) or getting lumpy. Technically, it is an electrolyte, which is an alkali, that changes the charge on the molecules or clay particles, causing them to repel each other like magnets which in turn makes the mixture more fluid.

-     SODIUM SILICATE ‘N’ The most economical and commonly used deflocculant for clay

-          SODA ASH Traditionally used as a secondary deflocculant with Sodium Silicate

-          DARVAN #7 Originally formulated as a glaze deflocculant, it is often used to "fine tune" a slip using the above two deflocculants or even in place of them.

-          DARVAN #811 A newer replacement for Darvan #7 specifically formulated

-         for slip clays but not yet in widespread usage.

Coloring

Slip may be colored using oxides or stains but it is difficult to keep the colorants in suspension and prevent streaking, especially with oxides which are larger particle sizes. The deflocculant may have to be increased, especially if 5 to10% colorant is added for a deep color.

Magic Water Recipe (Lana Wilson)

3 tbs. liquid Sodium Silicate
1.5 tsp. Soda Ash
1 gallon water

 

Tile Group to Meet at Galt Museum

The Tile Group decided to consider the possibilities of a 3D form for the tiles. The reason for this is the water leakage problem under the walkway. This was the original site but it is unworkable.


We agreed to return to the Galt Museum wall to look at the garden area for a possible site and see what ideas might come to mind. Join us if you can, next Monday, October 28 at 3:45-4:00pm at the back wall/garden area.

SUPPLY LIST for Workshop

WORKSHOP, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2013
Time: 9:30am – 4:30pm - Date: Saturday, October 26
Clay: 370 – ½ box $10.

SUPPLY LIST


basic clay tools (sponge, pin tool, scoring tool, etc.)
hole maker if you have one (example: for making teapot)
small water container
sketchbook for notes/drawings
textures for surface decoration
rolling pin if you have one
PVC pipe (2” diameter) or wrapping paper roll if you have some
sprig molds – if you have some