Q: I'm done with everything so I have nothing to do (except chat, text, other classes' homework, etc.) Why are you looking at me like that?
A: Completing one attempt at a project does not mean you're done; it means that it's time to try something again or something else so you can continue to get better. Your time in the studio is your only chance to work!
Q: What's going on? What do I have to do? Wait, you never told us that. I'm so confused.
A:Pull your head out of your phone, pay attention when I'm talking, take notes, read the clear written instructions I've given you, and follow directions. You will make your life much easier.
Q: My piece disappeared! I can't find it! Where did it go?
A: (Where did you put it last? Did you even look there?) If your piece was greenware and you no longer see it on the greenware cart, it is loaded in one of the electric kilns and waiting to be fired, or being fired; OR it's on the cart of shame because it had no name or class shape on it, was too thick, or was in some other way unfinished or flawed and not ready to be fired; OR, it's been fired and has been sitting in your locker. If it was waiting to be glaze fired, it is either a). right where you left it, b). loaded in the kiln and about to be fired, or firing, c). on the cart o' shame.
Q: When will my piece get fired? I've been waiting FOOOOREEEEEVERRRRR
A. When there is enough work to fill the kiln it will be fired
A. full kiln heats better and wastes less energy. Bisque/low-fire kilns usually fill up ever other day they take 3 or more days to fire and cool. Glaze kiln firings take longer because we can not stack the pieces.
Q: What glaze is this on my piece?
A: Write down the glazes in your sketchbook or on a glaze record-in glaze room binder, as you are glazing or photograph your piece with the glazes, otherwise you'll forget, or be unsure when the color doesn't turn out as you expect.
Q: Why did the glaze turn out so hideous?A: Make sure to thoroughly stir up the glazes before applying them, and make sure the glaze coat on your piece is not too thin, splotchy or otherwise uneven: this is the most common reason.
A well-stirred/shaken glaze will have an even creamy consistency.
Q: Can I eat off of what I make? Are the glazes safe?
A: If the piece was glazed with an appropriate glaze and fired to cone 10 it is perfectly suited for food use. Pieces appropriately glazed and fired to cone 6 are also food safe, but less durable.
Q: Can I put the cup/bowl/plate that I made in the dishwasher?
A: If it was fired to cone 6 using food-safe glazes, it should be safe to go in the dishwasher. However, dishwashing detergent is very aggressive, and can wear the glazes and colors over time. For hand-made one-of-a-kind pieces that you enjoy, why not enjoy them a little more and wash them by hand?
Q: Can I put the cup/bowl/plate that I made in the microwave or oven?
A: All pieces should be considered experimental in nature, both in the making and the firing, and there are no guarantees that things will not suddenly go to pieces on you. However, if it is white stoneware or porcelain, you should be pretty safe in the microwave. Do not use pieces in the oven for baking.
A: Completing one attempt at a project does not mean you're done; it means that it's time to try something again or something else so you can continue to get better. Your time in the studio is your only chance to work!
Q: What's going on? What do I have to do? Wait, you never told us that. I'm so confused.
A:Pull your head out of your phone, pay attention when I'm talking, take notes, read the clear written instructions I've given you, and follow directions. You will make your life much easier.
Q: My piece disappeared! I can't find it! Where did it go?
A: (Where did you put it last? Did you even look there?) If your piece was greenware and you no longer see it on the greenware cart, it is loaded in one of the electric kilns and waiting to be fired, or being fired; OR it's on the cart of shame because it had no name or class shape on it, was too thick, or was in some other way unfinished or flawed and not ready to be fired; OR, it's been fired and has been sitting in your locker. If it was waiting to be glaze fired, it is either a). right where you left it, b). loaded in the kiln and about to be fired, or firing, c). on the cart o' shame.
Q: When will my piece get fired? I've been waiting FOOOOREEEEEVERRRRR
A. When there is enough work to fill the kiln it will be fired
A. full kiln heats better and wastes less energy. Bisque/low-fire kilns usually fill up ever other day they take 3 or more days to fire and cool. Glaze kiln firings take longer because we can not stack the pieces.
Q: What glaze is this on my piece?
A: Write down the glazes in your sketchbook or on a glaze record-in glaze room binder, as you are glazing or photograph your piece with the glazes, otherwise you'll forget, or be unsure when the color doesn't turn out as you expect.
Q: Why did the glaze turn out so hideous?A: Make sure to thoroughly stir up the glazes before applying them, and make sure the glaze coat on your piece is not too thin, splotchy or otherwise uneven: this is the most common reason.
A well-stirred/shaken glaze will have an even creamy consistency.
Q: Can I eat off of what I make? Are the glazes safe?
A: If the piece was glazed with an appropriate glaze and fired to cone 10 it is perfectly suited for food use. Pieces appropriately glazed and fired to cone 6 are also food safe, but less durable.
Q: Can I put the cup/bowl/plate that I made in the dishwasher?
A: If it was fired to cone 6 using food-safe glazes, it should be safe to go in the dishwasher. However, dishwashing detergent is very aggressive, and can wear the glazes and colors over time. For hand-made one-of-a-kind pieces that you enjoy, why not enjoy them a little more and wash them by hand?
Q: Can I put the cup/bowl/plate that I made in the microwave or oven?
A: All pieces should be considered experimental in nature, both in the making and the firing, and there are no guarantees that things will not suddenly go to pieces on you. However, if it is white stoneware or porcelain, you should be pretty safe in the microwave. Do not use pieces in the oven for baking.