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Lesson Plans


RE: Ceramics and Projects Blowing up

[ Thread ][ Subject ][ Author ][ Date ]
Fields, Linda (fieldsl.us)
Wed, 25 Mar 1998 10:45:56 -0500

Pat-thanks for all the good info. Forgive my ignorance, but could you
please explain in greater detail about "the little balls of clay" that
should be between the shelves and shelf supports? This is the first time
I have ever heard this. Thanks-Linda in NC

> ----------
> From: pdmun[SMTP:pdmun]
> Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 1998 8:27 PM
> To: artsednet.edu
> Subject: Ceramics and Projects Blowing up
>
> Dear Art teachers,
>
> I have been teaching ceramics to high school students for over 20
> years now.
>
> Here are so dos and don't to spare you grief.
>
> 1. Always bisgue fire your projects. No glazed projects in the same
> load.
> If you happen to mix and have a blow up, you have glaze stuck to
> lots
> of stuff. This has always tended to ruin my day if it happened. I
> learned.
> Rationale: Students like to give you surprises.
> a. Not following directions and leaving a big air pocket in
> their
> project.
> b. Doing the above on purpose to see what happens.
> c. Putting foreign objects inside to melt or explode.
>
> 2. Mixing bisque and glazedware is only good for the experienced.
>
> 3. Single firing is glazing over greenware then firing it
> once. Again, only for the experienced. They need lots of time to
> dry out again after glazing.
>
> 4. If you are firing thick clay pieces, expect to have at least one
> explode. That is why the ceramic supply houses sell needles. If you
> don't
> have one handy in the room, a good substitute is a paper clip opened
> up and
> used to poke holes into the clay.
>
> 5. ALWAYS LET THE PROJECTS DRY A WEEK TO PROTECT YOUR KILN. KILNS DO
> NOT
> LAST FOREVER. ITS DARN NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO GET A NEW ONE OUR OF YOUR
> DISTRICT.
>
> 6. Use kiln wash on your selves to protect them. I also dip new kiln
> posts into the kiln wash the first time I am going to use them in a
> kiln.
> This helps keep the little clay balls you should be placing on each
> between
> shelf and post from sticking to the post. Are you dusting the clay
> balls
> with silica or similar material to keep them from sticking to the
> shelf?
>
> Good luck.
>
>
>
>
>
> Pat Munce
> Fresno, CA
>
> "Organized peole never know the joy of finding something that was lost
> forever."
>
> "He who laughs last probably made a back-up."
>
>