How to avoid scratching your pottery
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Pottery Road level crossing, October 1957, December 2009
Image by Lone Primate
Close comparison of two shots. Top image is a composite of two images taken by James Victor Salmon on October 27, 1957, showing the Pottery Road-SH&L level crossing (view looking south easterly). Note closure of older course of Pottery Road at extreme lower right in favour of new course across horizontal centre of image; temporary tracks south of the hydro towers; work on Bayview Extension in distance. Bottom image shows similar view from December 31, 2009. I expect James Salmon was standing on the hillside to take his shot. This is not really feasible in 2009 due to the extensive overgrowth there now.
So why does it scratch?
Pottery is hard and strong! If you don’t believe me try cutting it with the sharpest steel knife you have. Whilst it may mark it will not break. Steels used in everyday cutlery are softer than pottery glaze!
To scratch a pottery glaze you need a material of similar or greater hardness. So pottery can scratch itself. Glaze on glaze contact will cause surface damage and when there is excessive or repeated damage the eye sees it as a scratch!
So a scratch isn’t a scratch until you can see it!
Glazed pottery is susceptible to surface damage as soon as it comes out of the production kiln. During the manufacturing process care is taken to avoid excessive damage by careful handling of the pieces, the use of protective sleeves and optimum packaging for transport.
However in our homes damage to our pottery happens all the time. For example each time we use a plate it is damaged by contact with other pottery. Creating a plate stack to clear the table, placing plates on each other in the sink, washing them in detergent, sliding them into clean stacks all contribute to damage. Clearly there is a cumulative effect of this damage which results in the appearance of scratching.
So how can scratching be avoided?
Taking care to handle the ware gently, in a similar way to the manufacturer, will extend the life of the pottery. Using protective sleeves and avoiding sliding contact are particularly important. In addition the ware can be adversely affected by detergents and strong acids so prolonged contact with these chemicals should be avoided.
Whilst these precautions may seem fanciful and few people will take the time or effort to follow them, they do work!
Alternatively, if all this is too much then there is one other thing you can do……buy pottery that has a glaze that is not highly glossy and has a less than mirror like finish! Whilst this does not reduce the damage, scratches normally visible to the naked eye are less apparent, and the ware appears less scratched.
South East Asia Art And Culture
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When thinking of the art of Indochina, one tends to think mainly of the Buddhist art displayed in temples across the area or of the Khmer architecture of Cambodia. But that is to miss a lot of what Indochina has to offer to the art lover. And the region’s art is not all ancient! There is a flourishing contemporary art scene throughout the area, attracting serious buyers and collectors from across the globe.
To take Vietnam as an example, we can see a long history of artistic works, from the stone age to the present day. As with many aspects of Vietnam’s culture, influences have been absorbed from far and wide. Some of the oldest art is displayed through decorated bronze drums depicting scenes of everyday life such as farming, fighting, shipbuilding, music making, etc. Later the influence of China was dominant and the Vietnamese learned many new skills and techniques. Ceramics and porcelain became important.
After independence from China, art continued to flourish, with artists combining elements from whichever cultures they came into contact with. During the Nguyen dynasty, Vietnam’s last imperial dynasty, the emperors encouraged artists and Vietnamese ceramics were exported across Indochina and beyond. Today, calligraphy, originally based on Chinese, now continues using the Roman alphabet, making a unique art form while silk painting and woodblock prints are also very popular.
During the French colonisation, artists across Indochina began to absorb European influences and the French established several art schools. Today that tradition of absorption continues and there are rich, vibrant art scenes in Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Bangkok etc. In Hanoi, for example, the old district is a maze of streets where you can find several galleries specialising in contemporary Vietnamese art. You can even find a French style café with art displays and sales.
When in Indochina look out for the architecture, not only the original architecture of the indigenous people, but also the strong influences of the Chinese and French. In particular, look out for where these have combined to create something innovative.
Laos has a more religion based art. The decorative arts and architecture of the temples and the Buddhist sculptures comprise the high art while in the folk arts the many minorities have their own distinctive styles. Lao ceramics were unknown until the 1970s when they were discovered during excavations in the Vientiane area. Again, western art using oils and water colours were introduced by the French and there is a small but active art community in Vientiane, centred on the National Faculty of Fine Arts, producing original works. Vientiane’s T’Shop Laϊ Gallery displays and sells contemporary art.
As with much of its population, Cambodia’s artists suffered unimaginably during the Pol Pot era, but today, thanks to the Cambodian government. NGOs and the growing number of visitors, a dynamic art scene has emerged here combining the ancient and the modern. But Cambodia’s arts highlight must remain Ankor Wat, the peak of the Khmer civilisation’s artistic achievement. The architecture and decoration will leave a permanent impression.
Thailand, being the most outward looking nation in Indochina, with its more established tourism has a thriving contemporary art scene and has taken part in many European art events. Again, contemporary Thai art combines modern techniques and ideas with the more traditional, which in Thailand’s case also means the Buddhist tradition. Traditional art is to be found in the sumptuously decorated temples and in the Buddhist statues. Most art is to be seen in the innumerable temples, but there is also a fine collection in the National Gallery of the National Museum in Bangkok, as well as in many smaller galleries.
Yunnan in southwest China has a strong tradition of ethnic art from its minority peoples. Woodblock prints are especially popular, with each artist taking weeks to create each work. Batiks are also produced featuring both traditional and modern topics and themes. Towns and cities such as Dali, Lijiang and Xishuangbanna’s Jinghong have gallery shops where you can see and purchase this special art.
Please note that most countries in Indochina have restrictions on the export of antiques. Thailand does not allow even new Buddha images to leave the country without a licence. You can visit http://www.indochinaodysseytours.com to get more information about this.
Artistic Ceramics Products and Creative Handcrafted Furniture for your Home
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Now you can get nicely handcrafted furniture and artistic ceramics products for your home décor from your home, yes you are right from your home. Ulalas.com, a website which is exclusive for its home décor is available for you to shop for your Home, it’s a unique place where you can get all kinds of interiors like Decorative accessories for the home, handcrafted furniture, Glassware, Ceramics products, hand painted mirrors and many more. This is one best stop for all decorative items and interiors to decorate your home.
Ulalas has large extensive range of products from around the world that cover an entire gamut of home essentials; you would also find products containing the rich artistic Latino flavor in them. There extensive range includes furniture, soft furnishings, and lighting, kitchenware which also include ceramic products, home accessories and many more. With major of International range from among the fashionable designer brands, product exudes a touch of class and exclusivity to create that feel of a perfect setting to your place.
One would find endless collections of Decorative accessories and Handcrafted Furniture which would add an extra bit of artistic flavor to your place. Make your home a perfect destination by decorating your home with accessories from ualals.
There products adds a touch of elegance and ethnicity to your home décor this has been complemented by many clients of theirs. When looking for a right place to pick your unique home décor items, then Ulalas with its vibrant art and cultural heritage is the right place. Far removed from modernity, the artisans of present time are modifying the early traditional designs to adapt to more of contemporary ones. This is a better way to decorate your house than with these awesome and stunning objects d’ art.
Their inimitable collection of Hand Embroidered Pillows looks remarkable in distinct. When considered among the Cushion Cover manufacturers and designer cushion cover suppliers, Exuberant Creation is foremost for incomparable decorative cushion cover. Here you would find various stylish collection of designer cushion cover at pocket friendly price.
Ulalas offer high quality and various shaped ceramics products to the customers. The products of Ulalas are made by artisans around the world. Ceramics Products in particular would have a tendency of slight variations in color. Ulalas presents a large collection of handcrafted decorative accessories. Each piece of theirs is carefully selected for their artisan detailing, it’s fine craftsmanship and it’s uniqueness. You can find here amazing pieces that fit your lifestyle be it the rustic, trendy or the more traditional ones. Surely, the accessories of Ulalas would add that special touch to your decor.
Here at Ulalas home decor accessories one would find a wide range of textile starting from bed linens to curtains, draperies and much more. They assure that all or their products are fabricated of very fine quality fabrics, which is seen in their products. Here you also find decorative art and mirrors which are available in various designs, cuts and shapes, these mirrors illuminate the beauty of your place. They would be appropriate for the different occasions when it comes to decorating. Their other unique product is their decorative mirrors which exhibit the very perfect mixture of ethnicity and at the same time containing complex designs.
Ulalas always have a priority to satisfy their customers. They always ensure to have the item picked up and inspected before it is on sale. At Ulalas they work hard to provide their customers with the best possible customer service. All these have been complemented by their customers, so shop here if you are looking for the finest collection of home decors.
Seven Foolproof Techniques For Painting Your Next Arts & Crafts Project
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Art 150 Intro to Ceramics
Image by Michael Oh
Ceramics Class: The advanced students from wheel throw and hand building ceramics classes held an art sale to sell some of their prized works at Cerritos College on last Sunday and those are the leftover that will be on display at the classroom and also on sale today. The works are great and uses non toxic glazes and very light to handle with spoon and forks for dinner plates. I bought two for cereal bowl and soup bowl. I just ate off of one of the bowl.
For lots of hobbyists, beginning a new project feels much like the anticipation of cooking a gourmet meal. There’s the sense of buildup, and the gathering together of supplies and ingredients, and finally the meticulous but ultimately rewarding process of creating the object of your fascination.
Losing control of the painting, however, is like finding the stove is broken, or the recipe’s ingredients have all gone mysteriously sour. There’s nothing like the disappointment – fortunately! – of watching the best-laid hobby plans go wrong through no deliberate fault of your own.
But there are solutions to even the biggest painting crises, and most of them require nothing more than a little forethought. The seven techniques presented below allow you the freedom to avoid mistake by getting around them in the first place. Prevention, after all, is the best medicine.
- Use a sealant before you paint. Sealants such as Dull-Cote give your subject material a slightly adhesive coating, meaning it better holds primer and other forms of spray paint. Coating with a sealant first is like primer for the primer.
- Plan to take your time, and use multiple coats. Sooner or later everyone gets ahead of themselves, applying paint like there’s no tomorrow out of enthusiasm for the finished project that’s already taking shape before their eyes. Going too fast is a mistake: use multiple, light coats, letting the paint thoroughly dry between coats. If you’re using transparent paint, don’t paint in the same direction each time but paint in a lattice pattern, to make a smoother coat.
- Don’t be afraid to use different tints of colors. You can mix most acrylic paints to get a different and original hue than the ones offered in the stores. Actually, the paint sold in hobby stores is cheap and lasts a long time, so don’t be afraid to pour a little out of several tubes and mix them together. You might be pleased with your “original” color shade creation.
- Stock up on brushes. Brushes are comparatively cheap, too, and can be found in the clearance sections of most hobby stores. Plan to buy a lot, so you don’t run out.
- Accept that adhesive glue will likely be necessary. Chips, edges and outright breaks happen all the time, especially when you’re working with ceramic, wood, and plastic. Have the super glue ready just in case, but remember to use it sparingly to avoid cleanups later. A little craft glue goes a long way.
- Ask for help before you get stuck. There are hundreds (if not more) online pages and forums about using all manner of arts and crafts supplies. If you’re confused, or just want to get advice from people who’ve likely had the same problems you’re having with your project, check there first. You can always benefit from someone else’s experiences.
- Make time to do your hobby thing. Because hobbies aren’t “essential,” they’re often the activity first bumped from any hectic schedule. But painting and other hobby pursuits recharge us mentally and give us a real sense of gratification that easily carries over into the rest of our busy lives.
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A Quick And Simple Guide About Ceramic Tiles
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For creating indoor decorations, ceramic tiles are a great product to use. Ceramic Tiles can be used as covering floors and walls (witch is most common) or it can be used to cover chimneys etc. Painted and glazed, ceramic tiles have a high resistance to external factors, as they are not influenced by moisture or temperature variations, they are easy to clean and pretty cheap to install. Ceramic tiles are most commonly massed produced, but it can be customized and pretty unique in design.
Ceramic tiles seems pale and less valuable to natural stone tiles and because of that, the price is lower than the natural stone tiles. Since it cheaper, it is the number one choice for a lot of users. When installing ceramic tiles, you have to consider the thickness and if the tiles has an uneven surface. A thinner one needs more adhesive then a thicker one and if the ceramic floor tiles has an uneven surface, you can use a mortar to correct it and if has some higher spots, you can use very simple chisels moves. Another thing to think about is that its very slippery when wet.
To avoid of getting the tiles stained or too dirty and difficult to clean, make sure to seal the grout lines. If you do not do it, the tiles will become very difficult to clean and moisture has a chance to make its way true the ceramic tiles.
A great advantage of ceramic tiles is that it has even and easy to wash surface. Compare to natural stones, it is a huge different, since the natural stone models usually accumulate dirt in certain patterns. This advantage is the reason why public institution and medical facilities use ceramic tiles, since they need sterile and even structures.
Many years ago, ceramic tiles were used both in mural works and mosaic floorings. It was consider as luxury and their artistic use was more important then their practicality.
Look at Islamic tile work that clearly shows the versatile use of ceramic tiles; they are present in palaces, temples, public buildings and in the homes of upper class families. European cultures were influenced of the artistic tradition of Arab ceramic tiles patterns and used it as decorations in garden and courtyards. Tourists can still admire the beauty of such tile work in the Moorish remnants of Spain: at Malaga and Cordoba for instance; the mosaics are incredibly well preserved testifying once again for the durability of such ceramic structures.
Shop for Original Paintings and Painted Ceramics Online
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Art 150 Intro to Ceramics
Image by Michael Oh
Ceramics Class: The advanced students from wheel throw and hand building ceramics classes held an art sale to sell some of their prized works at Cerritos College on last Sunday and those are the leftover that will be on display at the classroom and also on sale today. The works are great and uses non toxic glazes and very light to handle with spoon and forks for dinner plates. I bought two for cereal bowl and soup bowl. I just ate off of one of the bowl.
All of us have an inclination towards art and beauty, although some of us may never act upon it. Some people show their creative side by painting, drawing or composing. But many of us are less talented than that, and we can only admire the works of art that other people create and wish that we could do the same. The age that we live in is technological above everything else, and people seem less and less attracted to art, in the form of poetry, painting, theatre, dancing, etc. Music is still extremely popular, especially among teenagers, but the styles of music that today’s teenagers prefer can hardly be called a form of art.
Being creative is most commonly encountered when people are trying to decorate their homes. Each and everyone of us feels free to express any ideas regarding the way their home is going to look, since they are the ones who will be living in it. Some people may find it hard to get the job done right, or are afraid that the outcome won’t exactly be satisfactory, which is why they choose to hire a professional designer. But for those of us who cannot afford one, or simply want our homes to have our personal touch, the options are unlimited. There are so many styles of furniture, paintings, woodcrafts, etc. that you can match, mix, or combine, and as long as you know what you want your home to look, you cannot be mistaken. All you have to do is follow your intuition, and maybe consult some guides on how to arrange your home. As far as choosing pieces of decorative art is concerned, you can rest assured; there are plenty to choose from.
Once you have chosen the furniture and the color of your wallpaper, for instance, you definitely need to make your home unique, by adding some decorative objects that are representative of your style and tastes. And the first thing that comes to mind is paintings. I’m sure that many of you would like to have the works of famous painters in their homes, or even some very good replicas, but the truth is that you probably cannot afford either. Or maybe you don’t like the idea of having famous paintings on your walls, as many other people have them as well. The good news is that you can buy original paintings signed by less famous artists, and you don’t even have to take the trouble of going to a gallery. Original paintings are now available online, and all you have to do is make an order and you’ll receive your painting at home.
Just imagine the look on your friends’ faces when they see some original paintings that they do not recognize, and whose subject is so original. You can have all the rooms in your home decorated with original paintings of the same artist, or you can simply ask for fine art prints, if you see a painting that you like, but you can’t afford it.
If original paintings or prints are not exactly what you had in mind about decorating your home, another possibility of adding a unique touch would be to choose some hand-painted ceramics. High quality painted ceramics are also available online, and they have quite affordable prices, given the fact that they are unique.
All in all, if your artistic side is only shown when you decorate your home, make sure it’s something stylish and tasteful. You can purchase original paintings and unique hand-painted ceramics online, and give your home a unique look.
If you are looking for more information about original paintings or painted ceramics please visit this links.
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Ceramic Design Course: Principles, Practice, and Techniques: A Complete Course for Ceramicists
Ceramic craftsmen intent on making pottery for everyday use, as well as dedicated artisans concentrating on fine-art objects will find inspiration and practical instruction in this handsome volume. Step-by-step tutorials take readers through each stage of the ceramic-making process with-- Featuring practical exercises for each stage in pottery design and construction, this beautifully illustrated book is mainly intended for students planning to develop a career as professional ceramic designers--but ambitious amateur do-it-yourselfers will also find plenty of inspiration and solid instruction. The author, a noted ceramicist, covers all forms of ceramic design, both practical and sculptural. The text is complemented with more than 400 instructive and inspiring color photos.
