Questions Questions & More Questions

[QueenOfTartsUK]

If you have any questions post here! Whether it's about your shop, technical stuff, techniques on crafting or anything else please feel free to ask away!

[QueenOfTartsUK]

Hey everyone! I'm really interested to know how you make your lovely items!
I haven't experimented with many types of clay, but would definitely like to know more! Can you post some of your latest work and described how it's made?

What clay is used? Stoneware clay, earthen clay, polymer clay or something else? And do you fire the clay, bake it in the oven, sculpt it on a potters wheel or use another process?

For example:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/83358019/classic-vanilla-frosted-cupcake-with-a
I used paper based clay and paint to create the base. The cream topping is piped on top using a softer mix of paper based clay. The cherry is made using resin clay. All of the clay is air dry so there is no firing or baking involved, but it does take a few days to dry. Thanks for reading!

[GiraffesKiss]

Hi!
I've looked at your shop before and I love your items! x

[Former_Member]

Hi there,

I've just listed this butterfly ACEO:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/90114434/purple-butterfly-polymer-clay-aceo

It's made from porcelain Fimo and stamped with alcohol inks. I'm doing a lot lately with surface treatments. I usually prefer to just use polymer clay, but there are so many great effects you can get with different media.

Love your shops Carmen and Giraffe!

Vic
x

[celadonpool]

I make most of my buttons and brooches from porcelain clay, though I occasionally use a smooth stoneware, it depends on what glazes I want to use.

All of my work starts with clay and a rolling pin, the items are then stamped or impressed with various media including lace. Then cut out and if it's to have holes I make them then.

After leaving to dry the edges of the buttons, or what ever are wiped with a soft sponge to make the edges smooth and soft. The next step is the bisque firing to 1000C.

Then the glazing, a second wiping down with a soft sponge to make sure no glaze drips onto the kiln shelves, and firing to 1260C.

I fire in a gas kiln so it's a reduction firing, which is how I get the copper reds and the celadon glazes.

[SupremilyJewellery]

Silly question I know ..... but how do i share an item (as in photo's above) with you lovely people?

[QueenOfTartsUK]

Hello Emily,

It's not a silly question at all! You just copy and paste the URL of the item you'd like to share into your post like this but without the quote marks if that makes sense. Hope this helps!

"http://www.etsy.com/listing/82283388/kawaii-strawberry-parfait-necklace-with"

[SupremilyJewellery]

Thanks Carmen! I'll give it a go in another thread :-)

[MarionWalshArtworks]

http://www.etsy.com/listing/89744083/stoneware-leaf-brown
For the item above, I imprinted a Morning Glory leaf on a smooth stoneware clay slab (block of clay flattened with a rolling pin!), then cut around the leaf. I placed the cut out clay leaf in a bowl, to give it the curved shape and gently removed the actual leaf. I smoothed the egdes before it dried too much. Then i got it fired (I don't have a kiln). I used a mix of earthenware glazes and it was fired again - NB you can use earthenware glazes on stoneware clay, it just get fired at a lower temperature, ie around 1100° instead of 1300°. The other way around doesn't really work though.

[QueenOfTartsUK]

Thank you for your replies!

Victoria: I never knew you could use alcohol inks for surface treatments. I love the range of colours you've created and how textured your work looks. I've only ever used Fimo to sculpt and never thought of applying anything else! I'm really looking forward to seeing more of your work when it's up!

Susan: I've never tried my hand at stoneware or porcelain clay, but your works are absolutely beautiful. Again I never thought about using things such as lace to imprint into the clay itself. I've also never fired clay myself - the procedure sound pretty complex!

Marion: Wow that leaf looks really realistic and gorgeous. The shades of brown remind me of autumn. I also really like your Ceramic Leaf Dish in green as well! I didn't know you could use real leaves on stoneware! I don't even know what the difference is between earthenware and stoneware so I don't understand how the glazes work, but I guess I've got a lot to learn.

Thank you so much for taking the time to share how you create your works. I've learn a lot today and the processes between our works are so different! Also the type of work we do is really different too. I really am look forward to hearing more responses!

[MarionWalshArtworks]

Thanks for comments, Carmen. You can use anything that will leave a pretty mark if pressed in: leaves, twigs, lace, anaglyptic (not sure of the spelling! ) wallpaper, rice, pasta, pulses, sponges, rubber stamps... At the workshop, a lady once tried to imprint a fish in clay... well, it was a real mess! Not something i'll try! Yuk!

[MarionWalshArtworks]

Anyone knows why I don't have mention of belonging to this team on my profile? I have to go on other team members' profile to find the link. Thanks x

[QueenOfTartsUK]

Hello Marion,

If you want to display the teams you've joined on your profile you need to go to the top tab that says "Your Account" and click on "Public Profile". Scroll down to the bottom of the page it says "Include On Your Profile" - tick "Teams" if you'd like it to display it on your public profile. I hope this helps!

[MarionWalshArtworks]

Thanks Carmen! x

[QueenOfTartsUK]

Hello,

I've never had a stall at a crafts fair before, but would like to! Can someone share some tips, experiences and any advice and how to start up at one? Anything from stock, security to stall display or anything other information would be most useful!

Thanks in advance!

[melissaceramics]

Hi Carman!
The main advice is to be smily, chatty and friendly!
Take a variety of price ranged items! Taking spot lights if allowed can be useful to show ur work off, and maybe a book shelf / high level for your stock.
Most of all have fun!

[Creatureshire]

Hi Carmen,
When doing a craft fair for the first time it is really useful to set up the look of your stall at home and have someone's opinion. I suppose you could even post a photo of it in this group and get other peoples' opinions.

This blog has a great checklist which you can adapt to your own needs: http://www.charlottehupfieldceramics.com/2009/11/16/craft-fair-essentials-check-list/

Good luck

[Former_Member]

Wow, it's very interesting reading the variety of techniques used in this group.
I just use polymer clay, so it bakes in the oven. I hand sculpt onto a wire armature, and usually stage bake to prevent me mucking up the sculpt (i.e., body, then bake, add legs, bake). I also finish off my work in a mixed media by adding fur on to the baked and painted clay.

I have an Etsy question is that's ok? If someone adds you to their circle, should you add them back?

[KilnFiredArt]

I set up my stall at home before my first fair and photographed it , and took the print out with me so if i got stuck wondering where to put something I just looked at the photo

[KilnFiredArt]

I'm trying to make thin ceramic pendants but they are warping in firing. I know about rolling in different directions and putting plasterboard on top while they dry.
I'm wondering if one clay is better than another, ideally I'd like to make them from porcelain as it's strong, Any tips would be appreciated.

[QueenOfTartsUK]

Hi Melissa, thanks for your input on setting up a stall. I'll try and be chatty and smile, but I'm quite a shy and quiet person so I'll be a push! How do you calm your nerves?

Hi Ines, as soon as I have a stall worked out I'll definitely post images for opinions! I've never set up any stall before so it feels quite daunting to do one! I don't think I'm very good at arranging things neither, but I'll appreciate all the help I can get!

Hi Dee, I've not seen anyone use Polymer Clay like you do. It's really inspiring! At first I thought you did needle felting until I read your descriptions! Keep up the amazing work. Also regarding circles I get random people adding me and I tend not to add them back. I only add those who's work I'm interested in or people I've interacted with. It's completely up to you though. Hope this helps!

Hi Jill, thanks for the tip about using a photograph as reference. That'll really help I never though about doing that! Also I'm afraid I'm not well versed in ceramics or porcelain but hopefully someone in the team can help! I hope you get the answer you're looking for soon!

[Former_Member]

Hi there, I just joined etsy last week and am really enjoying chatting to so many like minded people. I've had a stall at various craft fayres over the last year or so - great advice to take a photo!

Alsoperhaps ahandy tip could be not to put out loads of stuff or or your beautiful pieces get lost in the mix. Often less is more. Also some craft fayres are fab and others can be dire. Never be discouraged! (Although I am sometimes!!!)

[VanillaKiln]

Dee said "I have an Etsy question is that's ok? If someone adds you to their circle, should you add them back?"
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I would say no to this. It's hard after a while to keep tabs on who adds you and I don't think it is expected. I only add people to my circle if I like their favourites – or, if they are not showing their favourites and I'm interested in who they are following. In any case it's best to be true to yourself.

Love the chat about craft fairs!

[celadonpool]

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Jill from Kiln Fired Art

You could try Valentines PF700 it's a porcelain clay but with grog so it does not warp as much as regular porcelain.

I've just got some, I've only thrown with it so far, and it fires white and even takes clear glaze in reduction.

I put stuff on my porcelain to try and keep it flat, it does work sometimes, but it's just the nature of the material, you could try making it a little thicker, I find porcelain that is slightly thicker does not warp quite as much.

[Former_Member]

Hello, all, I don't pop up round here very often but found this discussion very interesting!
Carmen, have you done a stall yet? I did a few last year, some great some a bit of a let down but overall I loved it and have more planned this year, and I am normally shy too :)

Jill: Re the warping clay question, it depends what you are making but if you can stack the items when they are drying and in the firing, the weight can help keep them flat and they dry slowly and evenly too. I make earthenware though so it is less prone to warping than firing higher.

I would love to have opinions on this matter concerning my listings: I sell ceramic pendants, and as a potter, not a jeweller, I just sell them as pendants on thier own, but I do wonder whether I should sell them on chains as a ready to wear necklace and whether this would appeal to more people. I also would need a recomendation of where to order good quality chains, I feel anxious about relying on another supplier for my items quality; when I make it all myself I can keep better control on this sort of thing.