Looking for Clay Harp Tool, Mapping Out Schedule and Kid’s Art

Clay harp cutting tool

Clay harp cutting tool

While I love to use the potter’s wheel to make work, I have found an equal affinity and enjoyment for hand building in the last 6 months.  I once had the opportunity to try a clay tool called a “harp” that a potter had purchased in the U.K. and I have been looking for the tool locally as well as online from US outlets every since.  It’s pretty cool and makes precise cuts on either pugged clay or pre-bagged commercial clay.  I found the tool online from a ceramic supplier in the U.K. and at this point, I might have to go ahead and bite the bullet and pay to have it shipped across the pond that divides the two countries.  The clay harp is notched on the sides and has a tension wire that adjusts up the notches or down as clay is cut.  I could probably rig something similar, but would really like to find this tool for my handbuilding work.  I apologize for the low res photo; it’s the only one I found on the internet.  So if you know of any U.S. store that carries something similar, please let me know – I’d be much obliged.

Love these colors

Love these colors – just threw this one in for fun

Meanwhile, the Colorado Potter’s Guild is hosting our annual Fall sale November 6, 7 and 8th – exactly 32 days from now.  After taking a bit of a studio hiatus, I need a plan to crank out some work in the next month to have a decent showing.  We’re allowed to bring a maximum of 105 pots, 10 of which can be sets of any size or kind.  I have about 10 pieces bisque fired so far, and have a lot of work to make in the next couple of weeks!

This morning, I pulled out my calendar in an attempt to figure out how I can make the remaining 95 pots in the next 15 days of working with wet clay in order to allow enough time to bisque and glaze the pieces.  This works out to roughly 6.33 pots a day if I don’t make any sets.  That sounds doable don’t you think?    I’ve allowed myself roughly 6 hours a day in the studio Monday – Friday for the next 2 weeks which will break down to about 9.5 pots a day if I don’t work on weekends.  I am making a list of basic forms that I’d like to include such as mugs, tumblers, bowls, platters, vases, covered boxes etc. and will try to come up with some reasonable numbers of each that I’d like to make for the sale in the next couple of days.  Given our current economy, I tend to think that smaller items will be bigger sellers than larger ones.  What do you think?

Earthenware bird by Carter 2nd grade

Earthenware bird by Carter 2nd grade

Meanwhile, my after school clay classes are coming along terrifically.  I opened the kiln Sunday and just love this piece.  I wish I could keep it!  Carter made this by making hollow sections out of pinch pots for the body and head – the other bits are solid.  The bird stands about 7 – 8 inches tall.

That’s it for today.  Have a great week,

~Cynthia

Share

14 comments

  • denise

    October 6, 2008 at 2:40 pm // Reply

    The clay harp cutter looks like a very useful tool. I agree, that bird is just adorable! Kids make the greatest things. And yes, I’ve been thinking the same thing, that smaller pieces would be a better option at present.

  • Ben Stark

    October 6, 2008 at 5:27 pm // Reply

    I second the small items, but I would definitely throw in a couple of biggies just in case :) I was going to post the same bailey link as Brian. I think that a make list will help a lot, and I know you can crank it all out in time! Glad to see you are getting back into the swing of things!

  • andrea

    October 6, 2008 at 6:12 pm // Reply

    My understanding of clay art is so limited that a lot of your posts are way over my head, but just one look at the wire-cutting tools reminded me of the single summer class I took on wheel-throwing, where I first (and last) used one. There was something weirdly satisfying about making a clean cut through the clay with the wire that I still remember. Thanks for remiding me!

  • Linda Starr

    October 6, 2008 at 7:02 pm // Reply

    I know there are harps here, I have seen them somewhere.

    I have to make a bunch of stuff for a show the first weekend of November and I am scrambling. Good luck with making yours. I am with you, I love hand building. As far as the economy goes, I think you are right about smaller and lesser priced items.

    I love Carter’s earthernware bird.

  • Undaunted

    October 7, 2008 at 7:51 am // Reply

    Carter’s bird is great! How do you get the different colours? Can you paint bisque fired objects before they’re glazed?

    Good luck with the schedule, although I’m sure you’ll be fine. You seem to work better under pressure – am I right?

    I made my first coil pot last night! Next week we make slab pots. I’ll try to put the photo’s up today or tomorrow.

  • Cynthia

    October 7, 2008 at 8:37 am // Reply

    Brian – thanks for the links. I have seen those before and might have to purchase one of those to try. I suppose if I don’t like it, I could always fork over shipping from UK.

    Denise – what I love about the clay harp is that it is super sturdy and then the notched grooves allow one to make very precise cuts which are good for rolling out even slabs of clay or making tiles. I’m thinking lots of mugs…

    Ben :) Yep- lists are good.

    Andrea – I didn’t know you ever took a clay class…new info for me. There is something very comforting about clay – call it satisfaction, meditative or something similar. Now that I’ve started working in the studio again, I hate to quit for the day when I’m in the zone.

    Linda S. – Good luck with your show! Nothing like cranking work out last minute. ;)

    LB – Beading is a whole different animal… I guess it would work for you if you were making simple beaded jewelry or something similar.

    Janet – The links Brian posted are pretty close to cheese cutters – I have a small cheese cutter that I use for faceting, but I need a super big one for a big bag of clay. Just love that bird….

    Linda U. – Yep – underglaze can be painted on greenware or bisqued pieces like paint. Then glaze on top. Carter wasn’t exactly following the rules. Normally, I tell the kids if they use underglaze to use clear on top. She used a brown underglaze for the body and then a sunset red glaze on top. I told her that I didn’t know how it would turn out – could be really cool or not. It turned out okay – the brown has a toasty red tint to it. You all are probably sitting down for your evening meal as I write this!

  • Cynthia

    October 9, 2008 at 7:50 am // Reply

    Linda – thanks so much for the link! I’ve looked at the rolling pin slab roller before – pretty cool.

    Jean :)

    Ang – Thanks for the link – I’m going to check it out now…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>