[Clayart] sanding bottoms

[mel jacobson]

It all depends.
There are many different clay bodies out there
in Clayart land.  How you treat bottom cleaning
is based on many factors.
1. I use a very rough clay, both sand and grog and
Lake Superior iron bearing sand. I do the best I can
to clean and smooth things out, but, I do not mess
around for hours.  I rub the bottom with a piece of
silicon carbide.

My customers buy my work because it is "utilitarian"
It is not precious.  My work goes in their dishwasher,
rolls on the floor of their car. Often they are left
outside on the deck. I make tough pots. They are to be
used.

2. Often with porcelain, commercial white clay etc. the pots take on
a "be careful" attitude.  Everything is smooth and glossy.
The potter reflects that sort of look and feel. They smooth
things out, both the trimming, and then again in bisque and
then the final sanding when from the glaze firing.  If that
is the look and feel you want...go for it. There is not
a rule book.

I love to work with a clay body with a nice "tooth". The color
is dark brown. What I add to the clay gives it my "signature".
My clay comes from a pug mill...never from a plastic bag of
perfection clay, smooth, de aired, pristine. Lots of visitors to
my pug mill. "lady bugs, dead mouse from time to time". It is all
part of the process.

I try to make pots that are the total opposite of the "Pottery Barn".

As my life reflects, all the pots are sold, and customers come back
time and again.
mel


website: www.melpots.com
www.melpots.com/CLAYART.HTML