Just finished the last class day for trimming pots. I unfortunately found three pots at the end of the class that I had not trimmed, plus I *still* am not finished with my burnishing work for pit pots.
On a side note, the iPod is a big hit in the class. They love the iTrip attachment, allowing us to all listen to my weird music collection. By the way, it's almost full, over 3000 songs.
I've added Google ads to the sidebar of the site pages and removed the “Google Box” and the “NetNewsWire subs” boxes. Let's see if anyone hits them. Complaints? Leave me a comment.
PS: I want to have my NetNewsWire app export my subs as OPML (it will do it) then automatically add it to the correct directory (won't do it now) on my web log. Yes, I could write an Apple Script to do it, but there's a catch. I guess I could do this with two scripts: one on my TiBook to pull the subs list and ftp it. The other on the iMac to pull the sub list and move it to the correct Radio folder for upstreaming. Can AppleScript watch a folder? Looks like I have some research to do.
Update: posted this and link to NNW beta list in hopes to generate some discussion.
Update 2: Just manually changed the file using file sharing (I'm at home). Let's see what it looks like.
I've spent the last few weeks working with raku clay and techniques in my class at Springfield Pottery with some success. I haven't spent any time working on my pit pots, much to the chagrin of Jen, my instructor. I also am considering taking a break from the classes to focus on studio time. That is yet to be worked out with Nathan and Jen. I'd like to pay for studio time equivalent to class time, to allow me to come in when I want to and not have the structure of the class.
I've come a long way with my throwing technique. I've done well with the raku clay, a much more gritty clay than the standard red-ish clay that we normally use. I've found that my fingertips are useful. I was using the sides of a finger or fingers to move clay as it turned on the wheel. What I realized was that the tips provided more force, similar to the way ice skate blades work. Now, I can move clay at will.
Now I'm left to work on form. I have several shapes I've done sucessfully, put the form is poor. An example: nice curving body with the top of the flare of a vase as big and tall as the base. I need to learn proportion. Not bad for someone who never took art classes in school and is a techie-geek!
Steve Kirks 