Making handles, refiring pieces and glaze tests.

[@micheledickey4066]

This is all sooo helpful and omg I can’t believe how amazing your entire studio is!!!!! It looks like you’re on a boat!

[@Vsmithpots]

That is almost true, three sides are open water and the building is on stilts with one side open to land.

[@lisayates4230]

Thank you Vaughn! I have learned so much from your videos. 😊

[@susyward581]

The draw tools, used to draw through the clay to make coils of all shapes have longer necks than the turning tool. Personally, I pull my handles but I do demonstrate the various methods, as you say some people are less inclined to practice when they come to me just once a week. Although once they get good at throwing they tend to go back to pulling. I always suggest you and other established, good potters in my workshops so that beginners and onwards see the various methods of making, so big thank you from my studio Vaughan - lovely gentle sunny morning here in Cornwall ☀️

[@Vsmithpots]

Thanks Susy, I am somewhat envious of you teaching in Cornwall. I visited Patrick Herons Studio in 1977, it was called Eagles Nest. I promised myself I would have a similar studio one day, it almost came true but I am still missing the high up view and the pub just down the road. I still did pretty good finding this building, although I am a bit vulnerable to Hurricanes. All the best this season to you, I have noticed an increase already in numbers.

[@namichan07]

I'd love to visit your studio one day !!! I really needed to figure out the handles even though i learnt from three Teachers - I just didn't get it so. You are fantastic teacher and the segale, cats and ocean view 🤩🥰🥰! So wonderful! I have my lovely 16 year old cat is always my great company! Thank you again 🙏💐✨!!

[@Vsmithpots]

Thanks for the praise, I hope you are seeing improvements in your work.

[@triciac1019]

I will be trying again to pull handles. By watching this video, I realize the body of my Bee Mix mugs were quite drier than the handles and I also used too much slip to fill in the "V" where the handles were attached to the body. I had bad cracking where the handles were attached and lost five out of six mugs and they were so.e.of the prettiesr I made for Christmas. We learn through our mistakes. I like your routine of doing more of an assembly and working on three or more mugs at a time and having them on a tray. Much easier to work with softer bodies. I learn so much watching your videos and thank you for recommending I watch this video!

[@Vsmithpots]

You are welcome.

[@incilakay2303]

Thanks from Turkey, Bodrum. Enjoy and learn a lot from your videoes thanks a lot🇹🇷👍

[@Vsmithpots]

Thanks form Nova Scotia. You live in a very intriguing place.

[@spitrock33]

Thank you for sharing your work

[@carolgage7614]

Wow, you are crazy good! Thanks for all your info. I’m a hobby potter and love all your videos.

[@Vsmithpots]

Glad you like them!

[@freddiemoretti8456]

Great video full of tips Vaughan and getting to see the flight of pigeons landing at the beginning was a treat. Like the wee test kiln, maybe someone will have a broken Advancer shelf that would fit in that space? Cats are looking very content, more so Poubelle. Will dream of getting back to Nova Scotia for a visit..... Both of you have a happy new year and stay well.

[@Vsmithpots]

Thanks Freddie. I love the test kiln. It serves my need for testing very well. I fire one piece a night. The two out so far are glazed identical but look so different. See next posting. Have a safe new year, no Hogmanay celebrations until next December.

[@elizabethringus9738]

So jealous of your beautiful view! 😍

[@Vsmithpots]

We thank our lucky stars every day.

[@alkakamo8053]

Very nice videos- you are certainly the potter and teacher I would desire to learn from. You are so detailed yet simple and easy to follow!

[@Vsmithpots]

Thank you so much. To think we all have pottery to get us through Covid, we are the lucky ones. Thanks for watching.

[@ЕвгенияКозлова-и4ш]

Прекрасные произведения! Вы- мастер!!!!❤

[@Vsmithpots]

Большое спасибо. Пожалуйста, наслаждайтесь видео этой зимой, они могут заставить ее пройти раньше, так что весенние цветы будут здесь, прежде чем мы это узнаем. Оставайтесь в безопасности.

[@ReapWhatYouSeauxLeJeune]

Thanks for the educational video!!

[@Vsmithpots]

You are welcome.

[@chrisallison4195]

You have a very calming approach! Thank you for sharing your tips! Stay safe and Happy New Year! Would certainly love to visit when the coast is clear!

[@Vsmithpots]

It must be the cats puuurrriiinnngggg in my ear all day. Thanks for watching.

[@lynneyoung800]

Just discovered you, so glad I did, fab tips, thank you!😃

[@Vsmithpots]

I am glad I can help. Thanks for watching.

[@rebecaaragon7101]

Happy & healthy New Year Vaughn & family! Thank you for sharing your tips with us so generously. 🎉

[@Vsmithpots]

Thanks and happy new year to you too.

[@maureenrose191]

Happy new year and thank you for your videos.🍾🥂🕺🏽💃🏿

[@Vsmithpots]

You are welcome, happy new year.

[@veronicachandler617]

Dear Vaughan, I had the same thing happen with Randy's Red. It may need more water or check the sp gradient. Good luck. I love these pottery videos, Thank you.

[@Vsmithpots]

Thanks for the tip!

[@coopart1]

As always , great time watching your video, thanks for sharing !

[@Vsmithpots]

Thank you and have a safe new year.

[@coopart1]

@@Vsmithpots and you as well, have a safe new year. It is 5:00 am new years day, just started a gas kiln firing, so it will be a pleasant day!

[@Vsmithpots]

@@coopart1 Too cold here to pack my gas kiln. Good luck.

[@pamelagilliland109]

Fab tutorial 👍🏻

[@Vsmithpots]

Thanks

[@micheledickey4066]

How is it that your handles don’t dry out too much when you are putting them on other pots? I only do handbuilding right now and the handles will dry out fast. Thank you so much for all of your videos.

[@Vsmithpots]

I put them on right after pulling them and I make sure the clay I use for handles is stiff, so it holds its shape. The clay stays soft enough for an hour and I can re wet the ends if it gets a little stiff. The handle should be a little softer than the pot.

[@soulak6332]

THANK YOU

[@maniacmikepepperhead3040]

Excellent video. I thought pulling handled was hard when I started. Now it's a piece of cake. Do you have a video where you apply slip to your mugs?

[@Vsmithpots]

I spray it on but you can dip it. A badger airbrush #250-2 or 250-3 works best.

[@hobblecreekpottery]

Hi Vaughan, I've been really enjoying your videos and going through them one by one. I do have a question. On one of your kiln reveals you had a temmoku glaze that you use. I've tried a few and can't get the results that you did. I fire to a cone 6 on Bmix but can't get the gold flecks to shine like you did. I know you said that you got the recipe from the Google Gods, would you mind sharing the link for the one you are using. It's stunning. Thank you so much and keep up the videos! Love your studio and Nova Scotia is on the top of my list to visit.

[@Vsmithpots]

I will dig my glaze book out tomorrow. It just needs a ramp hold schedule with 5 segments, to 2210 F then fast cool to 2000 and soak for 30mins, then fast cool to 1750 and soak for 1hr, turn off.

[@georgeRVI]

For deglazing did you brush on the epson salt solution or how did you use it?

[@Vsmithpots]

It takes about a teaspoon to one gallon of glaze. I premix the epson salts by pouring it into a gallon of water, I usually add way more salts until it no longer dissolves, then pour off the solution leaving the undissolved salts at the bottom. This makes a powerful concentrated solution to add to glaze. Then just add slowly taking care not to use too much in the glaze.

[@georgeRVI]

@@Vsmithpots Oh, that’s great, thanks!

[@rondacorkhill1654]

I don't know if you watch Earth Nation Ceramics, but Donte has done quite a few Randy's Red firings.

[@Vsmithpots]

I have watched them but it seems the only element missing is the firing schedule. He uses a specific gravity for glaze application thickness. I am trying different thicknesses of glaze along with firing different length of times and soaking at different times. I plan on doing the same with other iron glazes I have. My Ten Moku Gold works great but I wonder if it too could be improved. It seems the rich red is the holy grail of iron glazes.

[@rondacorkhill1654]

@@Vsmithpots of course you're right. I'm still learning the firing side so I haven't really paid attention to that yet. He is pretty good at answering questions, though.

[@Vsmithpots]

@@rondacorkhill1654 Asking questions is cheaper than my electric bill. I will give it a try.

[@Creativjess]

Not sure if you know this trick, but heating a glazed piece in a little toaster oven (or real oven) will allow the new glaze to attach to the previously glazed surface, but use oven mitts to handle the piece 🤣❤️

[@Vsmithpots]

I do something similar by sitting the pieces on a firing kiln and when they are way to hot to handle, use glaze tongues and dip the already glaze fired pieces in the glaze. They steam and the glaze dries fast. You can also use a glaze thickener such as Epsom Salts so the glaze does not run off the piece. Your way sounds good too.

[@eloasis467]

gracias gracias gracias

[@Hawk867]

I don’t mean to bombard w/comments, I was thinking of high turnover products and want to throw out a couple diff ideas that should sell year round for you…dog/cat water/food bowls and various size planters w/drainage and saucers (could even offer the wooden stands/floor or table risers to go with). I’d even suggest no decoration to keep it clean looking, so less work. Houseplants are HUGE right now and I know I’m always looking for plain white planters to complement my greenery. So is EVERYONE else as I’ve found they sell quick everywhere. Just a thought.

[@Vsmithpots]

Hi Tara, I have all those items already. I do make stencil dog pieces although I am trying to make less of the stencil pieces. My planters get stored throughout the winter since I display mostly outdoors, I have a few indoors. I even sell some with plants in. Thanks.

[@Hawk867]

@@Vsmithpots love to see your indoor planters! Been collecting plants for a bit and love repotting them so they can get big. I do love the risers to put the planters in to elevate them from the floor….seriously running out of space for them but I’m addicted to buying plants. Huge w/millennials and younger people. Maybe one day I’ll take the cat up there to see beautiful Nova Scotia, live in Portsmouth, NH.

[@youser762]

Hello from Germany! I am searching for such a tiny test kiln. What are the specifications of yours? I need one to be able to fire up to 1250 °C.

[@Vsmithpots]

Hello Germany, Nova Scotia calling. The test kiln is by Paragon industries, 15cms square chamber. It fires to cone 10 which is over 1300C. Thanks for watching.

[@kellydiver]

Since you mentioned Baum Pottery, you might want to know that Mike is not doing well at all at the moment. If you’re a friend, you might want to get in touch with him.

[@Vsmithpots]

Thanks Kelly, I talked to Mike this afternoon and he is doing better. We both had the same accident, falling backwards down stairs. I had a concussion and so did Mike. My symptoms lasted almost a year but finally went away. Mike seems to be taking longer and seem more problematic. You had me worried but I am relieved he is doing OK. We are all in the same generation and since Philip Rogers just died in the UK at age 69, it gets you thinking. Stay safe and have a happy new year.

[@kellydiver]

@@Vsmithpots During these times of isolation and stress, I think it’s especially important that we stay in touch and watch out for each other. I’m glad you were able to talk with him. Take care!

[@Vsmithpots]

@@kellydiver You are right about that, I just called Jim Reinert who I have not seen in decades. I hope he is fine too. Thanks for reminding me.

[@kellydiver]

@@Vsmithpots I heard John Maltby has passed, but I haven’t been able to confirm it. It’s been a brutal year.

[@Vsmithpots]

@@kellydiver I searched and there is an article claiming he died in Dec 2020. I have 3 of his pieces and this is more sad news form 2020, my pottery collection will soon be a cupboard full of sad potters memories.