The Fine Art of Ceramics

And Pottery.

Jeri Redcorn -- "I am a Caddo Potter"

Posted by totem
Nice links. I was pricing pottery wheels and kilns yesterday. They're pretty expensive! I want to make cheese lady plates.

Yes, they are expensive.
I have one, myself, a used Lockerbie kickwheel. No kiln though. Maybe some day.
There IS a fascinating sense of peace working on the wheel. Many spiritual lessons
as I work the clay.

You may be able to find a used wheel too.
For mass produced manual kick-wheels, Lockerbie, from the US, makes the best kick-wheel, in my humble opinion.
Very well built, very sturdy.

For electric wheels, Shimpo, from Japan, makes the best. Again, in my humble opinion.
Very well built, and sturdy. They are known to be commercial grade and used in Japanese commercial
ceramics factories and elsewhere around the globe.

http://www.shimpoceramics.com/wheels.html<BR>
What I have learned in the short time that I have owned my wheel, is that to be competitive, the
wheel isn't necessarily the best choice for mass production, however it IS required if you want
very round objects like a plate, cup, bowl, vase and the like.
Use it to make the original, then use slipcasting method for mass production. After that, you
have to invest in big time specialty machinery to keep up with the likes of the BIG BOY factories.
On the other hand, you can contract such a factory to make large quantities of an original work
that you make on the wheel. So.... the Wheel is still an absolutely essential investment if
you want to get into pottery. The Kiln is the next investment you will want to consider.
You're already on the right track, just save your money toward your dream. If you truly believe
in it, you'll accomplish it. - but not without a lot of hard work - but with a dream and determination,
you'll succeed.

🙂

Posted by totem
I just wanted to sell some artsy stuff on Etsy and go from there. Too bad there aren't any pottery rental places available I can work at like the small commercial kitchens out there.

Also, like the idea of slipcasting. I'm assuming there are companies out there that create the cast for you? The prepared molds would give me more time to detail/paint them. I wonder if you have to hurry up and paint them before they dry and get baked.

Maybe I'll look for a Capricorn cheese tycoon who needs a mascot to back me if I want to go big. lol Thanks for all the info!!!

Well, here is an example of how it works using a clay cup:

1) you turn your clay cup on the wheel (omitting technique)

2) you have finished the cup and have placed it on the shelf to "cure" to what is called "Greenware" which is simply another word for clay (cup)that hasn't been fired, yet and let it set for about a week.

3) take it to a "ceramics" shop and let them fire the cup.

4) once fired, the cup has mutated from "greenware" to "bisque" which may be white, depending on the clay.

5) Bisque cup is ready to paint, using "under-glaze" and a glossy "glaze" if desired. but not necessarily Greenware. (there are techniques to adding color to clay but I haven't delved into that, yet)

6) depending on the amount of detail and the amount of colors, you may have to fire the cup numerous times. 3-6 times by the time you're done.

There IS a learning curve at the beginning of this but then.... it's like learning to ride a bike. New techniques and ideas can be tried. It is ALWAYS best to do as much homework and Q&A as you can...


check back soon - I may have more information and links added