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The next tools relate to dealing with the leather
hard pot--trimming and decorating. Trimming tools are usually either
loops of metal or straight open ended right angle bent tools.
Loop tools work well to trim without leaving a sharp
scratchy edge to the incision. Small loop tools are good for trimming
small areas such as inside the foot rim.
(The small loop tool and the large pearshaped tool
can be used interchangeably, but the smaller one is better for delicate
operations)
The larger pearshaped tool works well on its flat
side to trim large areas at once on the outer areas of a pots surface.
The open ended tools are mostly used the same as the
loop tools, with the additional capability of scoring lines with the sharp
outer edge, which can be useful when adding a foot or knob to a trimmed
pot.
I use the tobikanna tool to create a mottled chattering appearance on pots. The making and use of it are detailed at this link.
This small plastic tool is used for scriffito, or scratching
through a slip to expose the underlying clay. It is made by cutting
small notches in a strip of plastic. The pointed end will scratch a single
line, whereas the other end may make up to three lines at once. I've
writing an article with more details on this, available
here.
This tool is a strip of thin steel, bent into a
U shape. It will be pressed into a clay lid to make a round notch for inserting
spoons or honey dippers.
For decoration, the following tools are useful: brushes,
cups, and squirters.
The Oriental calligraphy brushes are especially good for
decorating, as they hold a large reservoir of colorant but can apply a
fine line. Select a size of brush similar to the size of effect you
wish to create, or try several. Mostly I use fairly large ones, except
for fine detail work. After washing the brushes when done, and reshaping
them, store them upright in a can, although that may cause them a
shorter life than if they hung with brush downward, but it's mostly not
an issue.
Hake brushes are wide goat hair brushes often resembling
panflutes. A cheap alternative is available at hardware stores, with
the cheap Chinese bristle brushes of various widths like the one pictured.
The hake (ha' kay) brush can be used to manipulate thickness of slip over
a different underlying clay color, by rapidly raising and lowering the
brush on a pot as it turns on the wheel. The result may resemble
a flower.
To pour glaze, cups are used. My favorite is
the
throwaway cups included in dry clothes detergent (good luck finding
them anymore--easier to find long handled plastic measuring
cups). I melt the handle
midway over a match to a right angle, and dip it in water to freeze it
there, making a handle which can hang over the edge of the glaze
bucket.
These cups can pour a wide glaze splash easily, and their rectangular
corners
make a spout useful for filling narrow vase necks without dripping on
the
outside.
For squirting glaze or slip, ear syringes are the best
size and shape. They fill easily, and can deliver as gentle or strong a
stream as needed for the size of pot. Remember to rinse it out after
every use, or it will build up a layer of glaze inside.
Gee, I'm out of amazing tool secrets to share with you.
If you found these helpful, drop me an email at brad2@sondahl.com
telling
me about yourself, as that helps keep it interesting for me.
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