About.com

Changes

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:23:05 +0000

For myself, Pottery.About.com, the Pottery Newsletter, and the Pottery Forum have been an important part of my life. But.... I am saddened to say that there are changes that will occur.

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Mark Grids on Slabs While Rolling

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:05:44 +0000

Do you enjoy straight-forward simplicity and brilliance in your pottery tools? Do you roll out clay slabs very often?

If so, I hope you check out my review of the ClayMat. Using the ClayMat, not only do you get all the normal advantages of rolling slabs on heavy-duty canvas, but also the added (and wonderful) dimension of being able to measure while rolling it.

Lalijin Ceramics

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:36:19 +0000

Throughout the ages, the Middle East has been a region filled with rich ceramics and innovations in the ceramic arts and craftsmanship. This tradition stretches back over 7,500 years.

In the city of Lalejin, pottery was faced with near extinction due to Mongol invasion. Only seven potters survived to revive the work of their forebearers. And revive it, they did!

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Disaster and Emergencies

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 12:24:27 +0000

No one likes to think about disasters. No one likes to think about emergencies that can happen. But, if we are to be able to handle these situations, we must indeed be ready. Earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, floods.... these and more are a part of living on our beautiful planet. They are a part of life.

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Q & A - Throwing Air-Dry Clay

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 04:08:47 +0000

Q: I was at a pottery store the other day, and the woman said I could use air-dry clay on the wheel? I was wondering if that's a good choice, does it have draw-backs?

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Q & A - Burnishing Troubles

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 13:53:34 +0000

Q: I was wondering if you could help me with a problem I am having regarding burning slips. I am trying to make some pottery using similar techniques that the pueblo Indians use.... I created some slips using OM4 ball clay and iron oxides and yellow ochre oxide.... I sand the pots and then wipe off the dust and then apply the slip. I have learned through experience that I can only do about 2 layers of slip or it gets lumpy and could flake.... I have problems with the slip sometimes rubbing off in areas.

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Q & A - Which Clay?

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 09:28:03 +0000

Q: I just read some of your articles about selecting throwing clay. I was wondering if maybe you could help me. I have a pottery wheel and I need help selecting a brand of clay. The more inexpensive the better. I was wondering what brand you would use. I will keep looking as well but I am just a little lost. There is so many kinds of clay.

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Blowing Up Is Hard to Do

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 07:45:44 +0000

(sing to the lyrics of the old Breakin' Up song) They say that blowin' up is har-ard to do; now I know, I know that it's true....

But is it?

Not if you are a potter singing about your pottery! In this case, blowing up is actually fairly easy to do: all you have to do is put wet or damp pots into the kiln to bisque, then heat them up too rapidly. As the water inside the clay expands into steam, pots are almost guaranteed to crack, split, and yes, blow apart.

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On Perfection

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 07:38:41 +0000

Just as an aside, something a lot of us probably suffer with is an overly-restrictive definition of "perfect" / "perfection". We are used to living in a machined world, and forget how imperfections are what really make us love something.

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Betterfly and Pottery

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:22:48 +0000

Have you ever wanted to take a class on pottery, work with a more experienced potter, or find a potter-mentor? Although there are classes at such places as community colleges, universities, art centers, community centers and the like, these don't often allow for the one-on-one instruction and mentoring a lot of us prefer.

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