John Wheeldon at Aberystwyth Arts Centre 

Féile Clai Seminar 3rd September 2005

3D studio demonstrations and discussion of recycling for potters

Throughout John’s demonstration he explained his methods and philosophy to the delegates.

He uses “ST Material mixed with reclaim clay”

John discussed the tools he was using, stating that he doesn’t use many manufactured tools. Examples of found and made tools included a recycled Letraset burnisher, a wire made from hardwood pegs reclaimed from beer barrels from a local pub, (“Which don’t seem to rot”), and credit cards, a recycled table knife, a recycled paintbrush handle and a junior hacksaw blade- “Heated up so you can bend it. As they are hardened steel they last a long time.”

 John also recycles his clay, leaving it sometimes for a year.

John then showed a “multi purpose tool.”- which he uses for “roughing up edges”. This was another recycled tool- the cutter off an electric pencil sharpener. He uses it for slab building, rubbing into a tray of WD40, which he explained stopped the tool sticking to the clay. It created a ribbed decorative edge.

 His slip trailer is also recycled, a lumbar puncture needle, stainless steel so it doesn’t rust. He also uses an old barrel pipe, from a pub, to form tips for slip trailers “which is heated over the kiln hole and stretched. It has flexibility- good for writing.” He has made a turntable out of an old record player, and one using an old Ford Capri clutch release bearing. He says he has not bought any new equipment since leaving college. All his equipment is now second hand.”

During these discussions John was preparing his area for the raku firing, using a recycled Frankfurter tin out of a skip from Austria, and Pine sawdust/Builder’s sawdust. He advised that if the sawdust is damp use a little white spirit- “but never use when burning- Health & safety!!” John put the sawdust on a kiln shelf, ready to put the hot pots on top.

At all times John was careful to wear suitable protective clothing (some of which he had made himself) and to stress the importance of care for oneself and others whilst firing his kiln.