Tuesday tools of trade

This weeks tools of trade interview takes us to the hamlet of Sayville, Long Island, New York ... Sayville was founded by a man named John Edwards who built his first home there in 1761, the hamlet was accidently named 'Sayville' (it was meant to be called 'Seaville'), when the error was discovered the people wrote a letter to Washington to have it spelt correctly, that request was turned down as it was felt there were too many 'Seaville's' in the world and that 'Sayville' was unique ... speaking of unique, the very talented ceramic artist, Jill from GlazedOver is here (in Sayville) to give us an insight into the tools she uses to create her rustic and vibrant ceramics and indie jewelry. So, without further ado - let's go!

Wabi sabi nesting bowls pumpkin and blue handmade

Would you take us through the tools you use in your creative process?

I'm very grateful to say that now my creative process begins with my beloved pugger.




Instead of me wedging the clay manually (at the costs of my wrists), the pugger processes all of my recycled clay mixing dry with moist flawlessly and then de-airing the lot. Thanks to my pugger I can now spend my time more productively and more creatively.

There are so many ways to work clay, but I'm partial to slab built and wheel thrown work. Depending on which whim strikes me (or which custom orders are on the roster), I'll head over either to the slab roller or to the pottery wheel and the process takes off from there.




There are various small tools - like pin tools, ribbon tools, sponges, ribs, calipers, and wire tools - that are appropriate to each method and sometimes even unexpected things can be useful tools. Lace, a corn cob, a shell, or a barnacle can be used to create texture, for example. The sky's the limit!

When I've finished tweaking a piece, I set it on the drying shelf. Once it is 'bone dry' (absolutely, completely and utterly devoid of all moisture) it goes into the kiln for the bisque firing. After it comes out, I glaze it and put it back into the kiln for the glaze firing.

Often, people don't realize how time intensive clay work is. From start to finish, depending on the size and structure of the piece, it can be upwards of 3-4 weeks before the bisque firing is even appropriate.

Can you give us some sort of indication on the monetary outlay you've had in setting yourself up with the equipment that you have?

From the kiln to the wheel to the pugger to the tools ... ugh. Clay equipment is very expensive. Not including electric hook up, shelving and supplies, I've spent upwards of $10,000 on equipment over the years.

What special care and/or cleaning is required to keep your tools in optimal working order?

Well, clay dust is a biggie. Left unchecked, it can have serious effects on one's health. Other than carefully washing clay off of my tools and wheel after use, I regularly vacuum and wet mop the studio. I keep my studio as clean as I can. On a practical level, it is nice to start each day's work on a clean surface. And now that I am teaching children's classes there, it is absolutely necessary for the studio to be in top shape at all times.

Other than that, there is no real equipment upkeep except for making sure that all parts (especially kiln elements and bricks) are in working order.

Do you need to wear any kind of safety equipment when creating your items?

For mixing glaze ingredients or using kiln wash (which contain toxic elements), I wear a dual cartridge mask. For viewing progress during firing I wear heat resistant gloves and dark goggles (which also help me look really cool!).

If you could own any kind of tools that aren't related to your own craft what would they be?

I think I would want to own a lathe for metal work. Metal strikes me as a material that is akin to clay in as much as it can be negotiated into any shape. It needs a different kind of coaxing, but the creative thought process necessary for metal work seems compatible with the way my brain works.

Other than that, perhaps a money printing machine with 20 dollar plates. And oh yes, that special cotton paper that goes with it. That should do me.

(Notice my studio manager by the ceiling at the top right corner)

Seaside Echoes wind chime handmade mobile