Ceramics Safety and Information (CSI) Syllabus

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Ceramics Safety and Information

Overview

Goal

This is an introductory ceramics orientation and safety course designed to familiarize members and prospective members with the studio's policies, layout, and available equipment, as well as studio etiquette. The primary focus of this class is understanding the rules and procedures of the studio and tools to ensure a safe, collaborative, and productive experience for all users.

CSI attendees should leave with a clear understanding of the following:

  • Safe operation of all tools and shared resources below, including appropriate cleaning
  • Shared cleaning responsibilities and commitments of all Ceramics members
  • How Ceramics memberships work and what their next steps are for signing up

Note that this class is required to use the ceramics space as a ceramics member.  It is recommended you take this class before starting your membership to gain immediate access once you are a member.  ASMBLY and Ceramics memberships are not required to take this class.

General Safety

  • Dust will be present, and it is up to everyone to help to keep the dust levels down. You must clean up the areas you worked at before leaving the studio. Use the provided sponges and mops to clean up the studio. No brooms or other dry cleaning methods.
  • Wearing a mask is encouraged to users comfort level
  • No food allowed in the studio. No eating allowed. Closed beverages are okay.

Time

2 hours

Tools & Shared Resources Covered

  • Wheels
  • Extruder
  • Slab Roller Table
  • Sinks
  • Glazing Tools
  • Community Tools for Sharing
  • Kiln Shelves
  • Tables
  • Member and education shelves

Materials Supplied During Class

  • Clay (from the educational shelf)

Talk

  • Welcome. Welcome CSI attendees to the space and ask them about their ceramics experience.
    • Be sure to mark everyone who comes as “Attended” in NeonOne.
  • Goal & General Safety. Review the goals of this training with them and emphasize the general safety considerations
  • What is the CSI? This is the Ceramics Safety Information session. To be a member at ASMBLY, you also need to do a Member Orientation. Interested in volunteering? Reach out to Sid about doing a Volunteer Orientation.
  • ASMBLY Culture. Talk about ASMBLY as a whole, emphasizing that it is a volunteer-run space and that all members accept responsibility for their part in maintaining a clean, friendly, and beautiful space for themselves and others. Explain the How to Be Excellent adage.
  • Memberships. Review Ceramics membership options.
    • Membership Levels (include all of ASMBLY + the Ceramics Area)
      • ½ Shelf: $175
      • Full Shelf: $250
      • Top Shelf: $300
      • If you have an existing ASMBLY membership, you can upgrade to one of these options for the difference between your current membership and the shelf size you want.
    • Note that Ceramics memberships are additional because uniquely to this area, storage and services are included. Not only do you get a shelf, but you also get unlimited firing, which is run by a team of kiln operators. Members do NOT get to use the kilns on their own.
  • Volunteering. Volunteer opportunities are available and the first step is to schedule a General Volunteer Orientation with the Volunteer Coordinator. You can learn more about Volunteering at ASMBLY on the wiki. Ceramics specific information can be found on Ceramics Volunteer wiki page: 16 hours of volunteer work gets a month of access to the ceramics space if 8 of the hours are ceramics shifts (CSI or SOD). We also offer discounted memberships by trading in volunteer hours (Redeem 12 volunteer hours in any studio at ASMBLY and you can purchase ceramics shelves at the below rates: $80/half shelf, $155/full shelf, $205/top shelf)
  • What’s Unique. Talk about the things that make ASMBLY unique as a ceramics space.
    • 21 Hour Access. You can use the space anytime you’d like from 5am - 2am everyday. Sign up on Skedda to book tool hours. Like with other areas of ASMBLY, members are limited to 25 total tool hours per week (there are some exceptions in other departments).
    • Novices & Experts Welcome. After you take this training and get a membership, you can start booking time in the space, whether you’re brand new to ceramics or a seasoned pro. If you are brand new, we strongly suggest that you take a class to get the basics of wheel throwing or hand building to maximize your ability to use the space, but there is nothing stopping you from using online resources to self-teach if that is something you would prefer. If you are new, please read each of the wiki pages explaining tool use and the ceramics policy wiki before using the equipment.

Community Etiquette

  • Cleaning. This is huge and should be mentioned repeatedly throughout the training. Everyone is responsible for cleaning. You are responsible for cleaning every tool and your work area after every time you use the space. You commit 5 minutes of communal cleaning for each booking (this cleaning is beyond cleaning your personal space)
    • Sinks
      • NO CLAY. Absolutely no pieces of clay should go down the sinks. You can dispose of the watery part of throwing water, but too much clay down the sink (even with our clay traps) will cause major plumbing problems.
      • NO GLAZE. Do not put large amount of glaze down the sinks. Glaze can often contain heavy metals and other materials that pose environmental concerns.
    • Trash
      • Regular Trash: You can put non-clay trash in here, including if you have extra glaze that you do not plan on saving for future use. No clay in the trash! It will get heavy and it is wasteful.
      • Clay. We have a DIY clay recycling station at the studio. Please dispose of unwanted clay trimmings in the communal buckets by the back sink. We recommend you recycle/reclaim your own clay and feel free to use as much of the donated clay as well.
    • Community Tools
      • ASMBLY offers wood tools, wire tools, needles, plastic drying bags, drying boards, glaze brushes and more for shared member use
      • If you used it, CLEAN it before returning it. This means washing it and sponging it to remove clay, drying the tool, and returning it to its assigned location. DO NOT LEAVE TOOLS IN DRYING RACKS. ONLY RINSED AND WRUNG OUT SPONGES MAY REMAIN ON DRYING RACKS.
      • Clean and return the throwing bats to their designated rack near the back sink
        • Do not store ANYTHING on the bats, they are only for throwing
    • Your Area
      • Clean your own area after use with provided buckets, sponges and mops.
        • Thoroughly wipe down tables, floors, and any other areas you’ve used. If you used a tool, make sure it is clean before you leave. If you used the door, clean your clay off both sides of the door.
      • Rinse out your sponges and mops after use and wring out the sponge until the water runs clear into the sink, then replace where you found it (leave in the drying rack for sponges or propped for mops up so they can dry to avoid mildew)
    • Material Disposal & Recycling
      • Personal Recycling
        • Do it! It’s a smart way to make the most of your clay purchases. Clay is infinitely recyclable as long as it is not fired. Hardie boards are available outside for this process. If left overnight, this reclamation process must take place on your personal shelf.
      • Studio Clay Recycling Donations
        • See the bucket area near the wheel sink. This mixed clay is first-come first served for reclaim projects!

Tour

  • Clay Purchase Station.
  • Use the kiosk or QR code to purchase clay.
  • We currently have two approved mid-fire clay bodies for sale here: Cinco Blanco & Buffalo Wallow - $20 for a 25lb bag
  • Available for purchase at Armadillo Clay: Cinco Rojo, Cinco Rojo w/ Grog, & Buffalo Wallow w/ Grog, Cone 5 Porcelain, Laguna Speckled Buff, Laguna B Mix, Dark Chocolate No. 32
  • Available for purchase at Kentucky Mudworks: see wiki, this list is huge!
  • Other Mid-fire clays ARE NOT accepted at this time for firing, but there is a process for approval. Consult wiki. No low or high fire clays either right now.
  • Label your clay bags with a sharpie before putting on your shelf
  • Member Shelves.
    • Member shelves are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.
    • Show what a half-shelf, full-shelf, and top shelf look like.
    • If you end or suspend your membership, we cannot save your shelf for you. If you come back, you’ll have to pick a shelf from what’s available at that time.
    • As good practice, never touch anything on someone else’s shelf.
  • Sinks & Shared Tools.
    • There are two sinks and two shared tool areas in the studio.
    • Remind folks about cleaning shared tools and what to not put down the sinks!
  • Recycling.
    • Show the clay recycling donation area near the wheel sink.
    • Clay is personally recycled by members.
    • Hardie boards are available outside.
    • Projects must be contained to personal shelves overnight.
    • Workshops and instructions to follow! Find online or ask Nona
  • Kilns.
    • No one except the Kiln Operators should ever be in the kiln room.
    • There is no limit to the number of firings for members.
    • Explain usage violations will result in not being allowed to put pieces in the kiln firings AND/OR prohibition from the studio
    • Drop Off / Pick Up Process
      • READ THE CERAMIC POLICY FOR KILN SHELVES
      • For dry pieces ready to be fired, put it on the Greenware shelf. Fill in the Drop Off form and take a picture of your piece (see QR code on shelf). Pieces must be BONE DRY. Pieces that are still wet will be emailed by the Kiln Operators and asked to move to your shelf to dry fully. All pieces must have a maker’s mark on the piece somewhere. The Kiln Operators and Ceramic Lead have the right to delay a piece being fired if it is not ready, or deemed a risk. Communication will be provided to the owner in this instance.
      • After the bisque firing, it will be put on the Bisque shelf by the Kiln Operators. You will be emailed and then have two weeks to move it to your shelf before it is disposed of.
      • For glazed pieces ready to be fired, put it on the Glaze shelf. Fill in the Drop Off form and take a picture of your piece (see QR code on shelf). All pieces must have wax resist applied to the lower ¼” and bottom and remain unglazed. Pieces with multiple layers of glazing or multiple glazes must have the lower ½” and bottom wax resisted and unglazed. Pieces that are improperly glazed will be emailed by the Kiln Operators and will need to be redone before proceeding. This involves washing the piece, letting it dry, and reapplying glaze.
      • After the glaze firing, it will be put on the Ready to Pickup shelf by Kiln Operators.  You will be emailed and then have two weeks to move it to your shelf before it is disposed of.
      • Special Note About Students: If you are a student and not a member, your teacher will put your dry items on the Greenware shelf when they’re ready to be fired. You will be notified about pick-up and can come to the studio during our Steward on Duty hours. Students may have their pieces glazed for a small additional fee or take a glaze class to learn how to do it themselves.
  • Glaze.
    • Direct to How to Glaze Wiki
    • Explain usage violations will result in not being allowed to put pieces in the kiln firings AND/OR prohibition from the studio
    • Glazing Area Policies
    • Wax Resist MUST be applied to the bottom of all pieces (including sides)
      • The small brushes with the wax resist are the provided brushes
      • ¼” up from base must be wax resisted or taped off so that this part remains unglazed
      • ½” up from base must be wax resisted or taped off if using multiple glazes, or multiple layers
    • Cleaning Wax Brushes
      • Pick off wax resist from bristles into the Trash
      • Wash the remaining small wax resist brushes off with HOT WATER
    • Use small bowls provided to pour some glaze into
      • DO NOT dip your brushes directly into the glaze jars.
      • Label disposable cups if you leave extra glaze.
    • Cleaning Glaze Brushes
      • Rinse in clay sink with water and hand soap if you feel it’s needed
      • Black may need a bit more scrubbing
      • Dry brushes and return to containers
    • Take the Glaze Workshop Class if you want to learn more about techniques!
    • Approved Glazes
      • 11 Amaco Mid-fire Celadon Glazes (glossy) provided
      • 8 Amaco Satin Matte provided
      • 9 Mayco Fundamentals Underglazes provided (can be applied to greenware and bisque)
      • 3 Jungle Gems provided
      • They can be mixed like paint to achieve other colors on the color wheel
      • Other Mid-Fire Glaze approved: any Amaco Mid-fire Celadon, Amaco Satin Matte, Jungle Jems, Potter’s choice, Mayco Fundamentals Underglaze colors can be purchased at Armadillo Clay
      • There is a process for glaze approval on the wiki

Tools

  • Skedda. This is the tool/resource booking system for all of ASMBLY.
    • Maximum Booking Times (for a single booking):
      • Wheel: 5 hours
      • Tables: 5 hours
    • Tools and resources can be booked again after your time is up, as long as no one has booked it after you.
    • Access to the extruder, glazing area, and slab roller are included with either Wheel or Table booking. These tools are meant to be shared amongst members booked in Skedda, so make an effort to share collaboratively and initiate a conversation if you need to “work in” to use a tool if someone is using it. Accommodate sharing these tools cooperatively.
    • All hours count toward your 25 hour limit for the week on bookable tools.
  • Wheels. We have 8 Brent CXCs. This tool is used to create consistent pieces in a variety of shapes and forms
    • In this training, we do not cover how to throw on a wheel, center, etc. We just want to make sure you know how to operate the tool correctly. If you want to learn how to wheel throw, take a class!
    • Every CSI attendee needs to demonstrate that they can do all of the following:
      • Turn the wheels on and off
      • Operator the direction switch (forward, reverse, neutral)
      • Use the foot pedal (up position is off, pressed down is on and how far you press determines speed)
      • Removing and rebuilding the splash pan (essential for cleaning)
    • Clean Up
      • Turn your wheel off and make sure the foot pedal is in the off position
      • Take off splash pan
      • Take it to recycling area and put things in appropriate buckets (or save scraps for yourself)
      • Wash off in sinks with clay capture
      • Use sponge to wipe down top and sides of the wheel head and the wheel bench, be sure to get anything that is under the wheel too!
      • Put the splash pan back together
      • Put the foot pedal on the wheel bench
      • Put stool on to clean wheel
      • Put away all your tools
      • Mop your area–explain mopping technique, if you haven’t already
  • Extruder: Brent Wall Mounted: This tool is used to create consistent extrusions of your choice of shape to be used to create coil built pieces. She is very expensive and can be easily damaged by leaving dry clay in it.
    • Show how to operate the device and have everyone try it with no clay inside first
      • Direction Selector: small yellow handled disk
        • If it is at the top: the plunger can lift up
        • If it is at the bottom: the plunger can be pressed down
      • Plunger: rests outside of the tube on the right side of the tool
        • It is easiest to maneuver the plunger with it as upright as possible and close to your body
      • End Cap & Die: end cap is on the left side of the tool; dies and rubber gasket are on the extruder table
        • Be sure to assemble the die as follows in the end cap:

1. Rubber Gasket, 2. Die of Choice, 3. Die Selector (if applicable)

  • Do it with clay! Have everyone try extruding a small amount.
    • Put the end cap on with full die assembly as noted above
    • Wedge and create the large cylinder of clay to insert into the extruder tube
    • Put the direction selector in the up position and lift the plunger and up and move it over to above the tube
    • Put the direction selector in the down position; lower the plunger into tube
    • Grip the handle of the plunder and apply a gentle, steady downward motion. Do not yank -  keep it smooth and consistent.
      • Note: smaller dies will require more force, but still apply consistent pressure rather than jerky motions.
    • When the extruded piece is at the length you want, cut or tear it off and place that piece on your board or extruding table.
  • Cleaning Procedure
    • When you are finished, put the direction selector in the up position, lift the plunger up and move it back over to its resting spot (be sure the direction selector is in the down position now)
    • Clean clay from all parts of the extruder - the plunger, the tube, the end cap & dies.
    • Use a bucket with a sponge to clean every bit of clay off
      • Place the bucket under the extruder to run water through
      • Clean the extruder tube inside from top to bottom
      • Clean off plunger and dies in the water bucket
    • DRY CLAY will ruin this tool, so don’t be the one who leaves dry clay in it
    • Return the clean end cap and dies to their storage locations
  • Slab Roller: This tool makes clay into flat sheets.
    • Start with a slab of clay that is about 1” thick (we’ll roll it to a final thickness of about ¼”)
    • There is a light clay and dark clay side to the canvas - be sure you are using the right one. Wet sponge off any mistakes, fingerprints, transfers of the wrong clay body
    • Place starting clay block between the canvas in the center
    • Set the measurement gauges on both sides at the 1st height (1” or ⅞” is good)
    • Feed the folded side of the canvas into the roller.
    • Remove your fingers from the roller area
    • Start to slowly turn the wagon wheel
      • Turn the wheel the direction you want the slab to go in a smooth consistent motion
    • Roll entire canvas through, open canvas to check slab position and flip directions or over on the canvas as needed to not squeeze out or to reach desired end shape
    • Decrease the height setting by ⅛” increments until you reach the desired height of the slab
    • Let each person get a turn at rolling and flipping a slab
    • Troubleshooting: If clay gets close to edge of canvas, reverse the wheel direction, flip back the canvas, and cut the slab off before continuing
    • Important: If clay gets on the roller wheel, this is a pain to clean
      • Get a damp sponge to remove the clay off while it is still moist - do not let the clay fully dry out and do not soak the roller with water. Use needle tool if you must.

Clean Up

  • Have everyone clean up together, including:
    • Mopping around the wheels-Flipping the mop, using the squeegee, rinsing, wringing, and cleaning the sponge after until the water runs clear
    • Cleaning the extruder parts and body
    • Leaving the slab roller canvas open
    • Sponging down the work surfaces where clay was wedged or used
    • Dry and return any tools used in the process (ONLY SPONGES REMAIN ON DRYING RACKS)
  • Have an issue? Use the Problem Reports QR code.
    • Point out the QR codes throughout the studio to report tools not left clean, someone using a tool during your booking, etc.
  • Finish with a reminder that ALL levels of skill are welcome to the Studio and there will be Studio Stewards hours, where someone will be present to help out in case they have questions.
    • Current Steward Shifts: Tuesdays 6-8, Saturdays 12-2
    • The Asmbly Event Calendar is the most up to date schedule for SOD times.

Thank them for visiting and suggest they bring more friends! We still have more shelves currently available!

Thank you!

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