A Basic Guide To Gathering Ceramics Tools
32741
Home & Family > Hobbies
May 23, 2007
jimmycox
A Basic Guide To Gathering Ceramics Tools
The way to build up your ceramic tool set is to start slowly. This will help you save money and avoid confusion. There is a vast variety of tools and equipment now available to the ceramics hobbyist. Suppliers' catalogues are jam-packed with paraphernalia for the amateur workshop. After paging through one of these catalogues, the beginner is apt to be over impressed with the necessity for fancy tools and equipment. The fact is, however, that very few implements are can't-do-without for the beginning ceramist. A working surface covered with a piece of oilcloth, wrong side up; one or two simple modeling tools, a knife, and about five pounds of clay are all you need to start shaping your first object. The cost of these is negligible. Most clays, for example, can be bought from retail dealers at about 15 cents a pound. Build your collection of tools slowly, adding items as you need them. It is likely that you will do your first clay-craft in a local studio or classroom, under the guidance of a professional teacher. It is not probable that you'll begin sculpting or casting your own pieces in a mold. Instead, you will be supplied with greenware, a fettling knife, brushes, colors and glazes. You will remove the mold marks from the greenware, smooth the surface, add some decoration and glaze. Then the professional ceramist will fire it for you in his kiln. After you have learned to do this, which shouldn't take more than one or two lessons, you may want to take the greenware home and finish it there. In all likelihood, you will buy the few necessary tools from your teacher. This will be the start of your own home workshop. Of course many new ceramists begin by immediately furnishing a complete studio, from clay to kiln. In most cases this is not advisable for two reasons. First, there are financial considerations, which would frustrate this grandiose plan of action for most people. Second, it is more prudent to wait and see what type of equipment is best suited to your personal needs and desires. The clay worker who wants to specialize in hand-sculpture will not require the very same tools and materials as the one whose skills and fancy lean toward pottery. When you select a site for your workshop, make certain it is not exposed directly to extremes of heat or dampness. Good lighting is also important, contributing both to the ceramist's comfort and to the quality of his work. Running water, or easy access to water, is also desirable. Until you start to accumulate a sizable collection of tools and equipment, and want to set up your own workshop, your kitchen should serve the purpose. Many tools you will be able to make easily for yourself; others you will find already at hand about the house. No matter how far you advance in the ceramics art, you'll find the most useful tools are your fingers. Every other modeling device is employed simply to supplement the work that can be done with your hands. When shaping a piece of clay, tools will only assist your fingers. They will not accomplish anything that can't be done with your fingers.
At Last You Can Uncover The Secrets Of The Pottery Wheel And Make The Most Ornamental Ceramic Pieces!
Click here for FREE online ebook!
http://www.potterywheels.net/ send email to jimmycox
Click here for FREE online ebook!
http://www.potterywheels.net/ send email to jimmycox
Write a Review
Add to My Favorite
Refer it to Friend
Report Article
Other links owned by this user
The secret of using the power of your subconscious is by deliberate preparation and by conscious predetermination of the outcome. Beyond that, you do nothing; you can do nothing to cause its power to be a major factor in your life.
Category:
Looking for something to amaze your friends and you've already mastered those simple tricks? Follow the steps in this article to learn some new stunts on the trampoline.
Category:
Many people still think that Yoga is a religion. Others believe it to be a kind of magic. Some associate Yoga with the rope trick, with snake-charming, fire-eating or sitting on nail-beds, lying on broken glass, walking on sharp swords, etc.
Category:
Thinking involves many different components and evolves different for different people. To understand how thinking works, it must be examined how it develops. Use this article as a guide on how to understand the elements of thought.
Category:
You, as a beginner wood carver, may be ready to think of designing something yourself. Before doing so, look at some really good wood carvings. Photographs can remind us of things seen but for proper appreciation it is better to see the actual work.
Category:
Card games are a great way to pass the time no matter what age you are. Here are two simple games that anyone can play and will entertain many!
Category:
Starting in the dawn of recorded history and continuing to this present day, man has patterned his construction pastimes and artistic ability basically on the precise image of objects and persons known to him.
Category:
Thirty years ago the very idea that analyzing handwriting was anything else but an adjunct to fortune telling was not even thought of. Books on psychology scoffed at the idea of a handwriting specimen revealing anything about a writer, other than whether
Category:
It is a strange fact that other people's coffee often seems mysteriously to be more delicious than your own. This is possibly an extension of the basic premise that any meal you did not cook will seem excellent.
Category:
If you're serious about learning how to cook French food, ask the experts. Go into kitchens, bakeries and any other professional food spots and ask the cooks what they're up to. This is called back room cooking and it's one of the most effective ways to g
Category:
While it is true that we do not live to eat, but eat to live, we spend so much time at it that good eating and good living become almost synonymous. I have found that it is not necessary to be a woman of means to prepare and serve food "fit for a king."
Category:
In a system of combat where strategy is as highly developed as it is in jiu-jitsu it is to be expected that the student will have to deal with the problem of shamming by his opponent. This article will help you to understand the technique behind shamming
Category:
Many hunters enter the woods in hopes of bringing home a nice size deer but many find difficulty once they start. To learn how to successful stalk deer increases your chances of bringing home that desired meat. Take these tips with you to help you learn h
Category:
There is an enormous amount of mental pressure generated by racetracks. The matter of self-control is extremely important to being successful at the tracks. A player may be cool and quite free from any such pressure and yet make so many foolish bets in th
Category:
A dress of good design is almost timeless - it can be worn for a great many seasons without appearing out of style.
Category:
Just as for any other sport, there should be a short warm-up before strenuous action begins. This may consist of general class calisthenics or specific limbering exercises (simple tumbling stunts) for the unit in progress. Performers cannot be depended up
Category:
To be popular is something that nearly everyone desires. There are many keys to becoming popular and a large part of it comes from your communication skills and how to present yourself to others. Let this article help you to acquire positive traits and st
Category:
Most of us like to dine on fancy vittles, but few have time to prepare them.
Category:
Although it isn't necessary to own your own equipment in order to enjoy bowling, I strongly recommend that you do. All bowling centers have house balls available for use at no charge to customers, and your local bowling center will rent bowling shoes.
Category:
Fondant and cream candies are simple and delicious candies which can be made perfectly after a little practice. This article provides recipes to make the perfect little treat for any occasion.
Category:
Other links at Home & Family > Hobbies
Hunting is a great adventurous hobby. Hunting of animals like Deer is interesting. For some hunting deer is also passion.
Category:
Have you ever considered the benefits of scrapbooks and scrapbooking, such as being a beautiful way to capture and express your feelings, share your passions, offer thanks, or give honor to someone you love? This article does...
Category:
Using of compass is very good for any kind of adventure in the forest. Those who are familiar with the territory of the hunting ground are less apt to lose their way while hunting than those strange to the place.
Category:
There are many times a hunter likes to go to hunt the deer alone. But going to hunt the deer in a group can give a different experience. This article you will read how fun it is to go in a group.
Category:
Site Sponsor
Directory Statistics
Articles: 68252
Categories: 501
Yahoo Entertainment
