Kim Blanton-Gushulak
  • Female
  • Emo, Ontario
  • Canada
Share on Facebook MySpace
  • Blog Posts
  • Discussions
  • Events
  • Groups
  • Photos
  • Photo Albums
  • Videos
 

Kim Blanton-Gushulak's Page

Profile Information

What is your experience with ceramics in general. (Long answer encouraged)
I bought a pottery studio 6 years ago. I always wanted to have my own pottery studio, so my husband and I decided to go ahead and make the purchase, as he was interested in pottery also. Not having too much money, or college, I decided if it was going to work, I would have to teach myself and use the little knowledge I gained from a few classes. It took us 1 year to build a small room to accommodate all the pottery equipment and supplies; so we made everything fit into the room as best as possible, realizing we could’ve used a larger room. With no extra money in hand, we went on with what we had been given-which was not a lot of clay or glazes, but everything else a potter would dream to use! As I would read everything available that I could get my hands on, I started experimenting. I was extremely nervous about everything and did not want to make any mistakes. However, one doesn’t learn without trying anything. The first round we put in the kiln, we fired too low of a cone firing. Therefore when we went to glaze our wares, they fell apart! It was a terrible mess. But, I learned a lot that day, 4 years ago.
Now, i’m Ready to open my studio, having the same two wonderful customers, that come and make things once or twice a year; I’ve Learned so much. If those two wonderful customers hadn’t kept coming-I’m not sure I’d be where I am today. The pottery world has so much to offer, and constantly learning new technique’s-One can never get bored ever again! Thank you for reading my story, and welcoming me with open arms, as I still have so much I want to learn!
What is your current involvement with electric fired ceramics? (long answer encouraged)
I started with One very large kiln, with an electric program Bartlett V6-CF. But, just before I purchased this studio with everything to accommodate a potter’s dream, we purchased a small kiln with Paragon high fire kiln old program and considered not safe. So, I purchased a new programmer for this small kiln, and I went out on a limb and purchased the same programmer for this small one. Didn’t cost too much, and now I could work with the same program as my large kiln. Had no idea this could be done. I have a great supplier and my husband thought of the idea. This great idea has brought my electric down in a huge way. I live in Ontario, and when Hydro-One increased their rates, I had to shut down my studio for two years. We had to pay the electric bill first. It’s now been six years. I have finally saved enough money and bought many clays to work with, and lots of new ingredients to make my own glazes. We are in a money making world these days and everyone must make money. Many of the suppliers I was working with are changing their ways. For example, when you used to be able to buy glazes in a dry powder form to add water. But, you can hold onto the powder for longer, therefore you don’t have to constantly order 4 oz. jars for $20.00 a piece. They need to make money too. I understand, but I need a more cost effective way, so I can make Money enough to open my shop and accommodate my small town with something to do in the winter and just be able to do something else, escpecually when it’s too cold to do anything else.
All our content is viewable by the public. Why do you want to be a member, when you can already see everything as a non-member?
I would like to be a member and part of your ever learning world as I’ve really got in to making my own glazes, and can have even more customers, the more I can learn. The chemistry in making glazes yourself, I find very interesting and try and study often, so my clients can learn as much as I’ve learned and more-so one day, they won’t need me and could have they’re own know how and expand all of our horizons together.
Where do you work on your ceramics projects?
home studio
Do you have your own, or participate in other ceramics Websites:
http://goldplt@yahoo.com
How did you find this network?
Link or reference from another site

Comment Wall

You need to be a member of Electric Mid&Hi Fired Ceramics to add comments!

Join Electric Mid&Hi Fired Ceramics

  • No comments yet!
 
 
 

Videos

  • Add Videos
  • View All

Use These Links to Support Us

Low cost flat lapping disc can be used on you potters wheel if you, drill bat pin holes in it, and provide a trickle of water to cool it. At amazon.com, 120 grit for aggressive material removal. Click the image to purchase 

Members have had great things to say about John Britt's new book, Mid-Range Glazes. Click the image to buy from Amazon.com

Purchase Glazes Cone 6 by Michael Bailey, The Potters Book of Glaze Recipes by Emmanuel Cooper, or Making Marks by Robin Hopper, all available at amazon.comMastering Cone 6 Glazes by John Hesselberth & Ron Roy is now out of print.

Harbor Freight is a great place to find unbeatable prices for better HVLP spray guns with stainless steel parts and serviceable economy models, as well as detail guns, all tested by our members for spraying glazes, as well as compressors to power the guns. As yet no one has tested and commented on the remarkably inexpensive air brushes at harbor freight.

The critter siphon gun is a spray alternative that is well liked by some of our members, and is available at amazon.

Amazon is also a competitive source for photo light tents for shooting professional quality pictures of your work. They also have the EZ Cube brand favored by several of our members. You might also want to purchase the book Photographing Arts, Crafts and Collectibles . . .

If you are up to creating videos of your work or techniques you might want to invest in a flip video camera

Following are a few scales useful for potters. Ohaus Triple Pro Mechanical Triple Beam Balance, 2610g x 0.1g, with Tare $169.00

And finally a low cost clone of the OHaus. The Adam Equipment TBB2610T Triple Beam Mechanical Balance With Tare Beam $99.62

ebay is a great alternative for many tools and the equipment used in the ceramics studio - kilns, wheels, extruders, slab rollers are often listed there both new and used.

Tips for Members

If you just want to spout off, it is best accomplished as a blog posting. If you want to get more guidance and ideas from other members, ask a question as a new discussion topic. In the upper right corner of the lists for both types of posting, you will find an "+Add " button. Clicking it will open an editor where you create your posting. 4/16/2014

© 2024   Created by Andrea Wolf.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service