Throwing pottery while standing thanks to new table
New table for my wheel
Three weeks ago, Ben posted an image of a table that he built for his pottery wheel so that he could throw while standing, instead of sitting. After seeing his table, I knew I wanted one too so I saved the image to my computer to show to the perfect person for the job. No – not my husband – he’s not really into building stuff. My in laws flew into town from San Antonio, TX last Thursday and my father in law loves to make stuff out of wood and he is always looking for projects to do around our house.
I showed him Ben’s photo and handiwork and my FIL started designing, measuring and making a shopping list in preparation for building a table for me. He’s so good at improvising and winging it. I think the trickiest part was figuring out an ideal height for me to throw standing. I basically had to pretend I was air throwing at a comfortable place for my hands and arms so he could come up with a combined height of table and wheel. I think the rim of the splash pan stands about 35″ high – the wheel head is slightly lower. I’m not a tall person though – only 5’5″ tall.
Table has storage on 2 levels
What can I say? I love it – thanks Tig! I’ve never thrown standing up before, so I wasn’t sure I would like it. Since trying it out, I can’t imagine throwing sitting down ever again. I love being at eye level (almost) when working on the small finishing details. It’s so much easier on my back and neck to throw standing up. The only thing that is a little tricky is when the piece gets taller – I figure I’ll need a little booster for those instances.
I love my Thomas Stuart Wheel! After seeing a 4 page advertising spread in the new issue of Ceramic’s Monthly yesterday, I learned that the local Denver company just merged with Skutt and the wheels will soon be sporting a new name.
Original Maverick mug by Justin Rothshank
Meanwhile, I will soon receive a piece of Obamaware in the mail. The Obama/Biden fund raiser ended yesterday and I almost missed it because it was dinner time here in Colorado and with my in laws in town it’s been quite busy. I didn’t win my first choice which was also a mug by Justin Rothshank, but with minutes to spare, I was the winning bidder on another one of his pieces. I wasn’t able to do the “buy it now” for the one I really wanted – suffice it to say that end of the month finances didn’t support it, but, I was able to bid up 2 other pieces to my max price so I helped a little. 
My in laws left this morning, so I will be in the studio till 3pm today,
~Cynthia
