tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820166730987074703.post947411044756197757..comments2023-06-15T01:18:59.944-07:00Comments on ALLY'S ART: The Jury's still outAlice Walkowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10846033750711880077noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820166730987074703.post-39680708677575158482010-07-15T16:23:51.834-07:002010-07-15T16:23:51.834-07:00Thanks for the direct to Hadar's firing schedu...Thanks for the direct to Hadar's firing schedule. I've never had much problem with using a needle tool in my silver, but it sure is different in the bronze.Alice Walkowskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10846033750711880077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820166730987074703.post-74684237132070105772010-07-15T10:08:15.855-07:002010-07-15T10:08:15.855-07:00Well, Alice, I originally resisted posting a "...Well, Alice, I originally resisted posting a "contrarian's view" on your <a href="http://allys-art.blogspot.com/2010/05/cookie-cutters-versus-templates.html" rel="nofollow">May 19 entry</a> but, other things being equal, I much prefer cookie cutters (and tissue blades) over templates for exactly the reasons you describe here!<br /><br />A "compression" cut (whether via cookie cutter or tissue blade) is just going to give you a cleaner cut than is a "drag" action (e.g., needle tool). Easier to smooth while still moist (to reduce/avoid sanding later), as well as being less prone to such cracking along the edge.<br /><br />(I went back and tried to address the specifics of that earlier post <a href="http://allys-art.blogspot.com/2010/05/cookie-cutters-versus-templates.html" rel="nofollow">there</a>.)<br /><br />Re test pieces, Hadar Jacobson doesn't "crash test" (try to break) her pieces any more but, instead, suggests buffing to determine if you've got a sintered piece, or just a sintered crust over a powdery interior. (See for example the last page of her file on <a href="http://www.artinsilver.com/Firing-base-metal.pdf" rel="nofollow">firing base metal clays</a>.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com