I don’t normally endorse specific products on the blog, but the other day I acquired a new tool that will dramatic improve my practice (and my patience, and the state of my sore hands). I can’t remember who I saw with this tool, maybe it was at Arrowmont…I don’t remember, wish I could give credit.
But anyway I was out last week and ran across this Fiskars crafting knife and thought I’d give it a try. Not the cheapest utility knife, but the small blade which can rotate 360 degrees (or not as I decided to rig it with a small piece of paper jammed inside to keep it still) and the ergonomic handle were perfect for the drawings I do on my kids line of functional ware. You can also buy replacement blades and there is a second knife you can buy which is more your typical sized knife blade. My days of sore fingers and working with pins to get the line quality I desired are over. This was worth every penny.
Below are just a few images of my process:
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| Carving line drawing through wax on dry greenware. |
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Underglaze is washed into the carved lines.
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| After the bisque I wet sand the pieces and then add additional colors with underglazes. |
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| A clear glaze fired to Cone 6 and we’re done! |
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Do you have a technical tuesday idea? Something that has changed your practice? A technique you’d like to share?
That looks great! IT will help with my arthritis, and the carving I also do, right now I am using woodcarving tools, and they could be improved upon.
Thanks, Eep!