Currently, basically every facet of my life feels like it is revolved around the practice of crafting.
During our Introduction to Craft class we are learning how to make ceramics using a few different techniques including ceramic extrusion, slip casting, and slab application. We learned how to make a slip mixture which consists of a clay mix that get sifted into a bucket of water. Once the mixture reaches the desired consistency it is poured into a prepared mold in which the slip will harden and form to the shape of the mold. Another form of ceramic crafting that we learned was ceramic extrusion. In this method you create a cutout shape which is inserted into the end of the extruder while the clay is inserted into the other end and pushed through the extruder. When the clay comes out the other end of the extruder it will hold the form of the cutout at the end of the extruder. In either instance, the clay is fully dried once the desired shape is created out of the clay. Once fully dried, the crafted clay form is set into the kiln and fired. Once the firing process is done, the creation is either complete or ready for glazing before firing once again.
In studio we are busy at work breaking down our pavilion parts into each individual member and working to understand how the materials will be cut into building blocks. I have been working on breaking down each section of the design into its individual parts with a list of tags for each part with its dimensions. This helps to come up with the budget for our project as well as understand the assembly and shop drawings that we will need for our project.
At my internship, I am working on designing a professional portfolio in which my boss can send out to potential clients and give them a sneak peak of some of his best projects of the past and understand a bit more about the firm’s design values. I am now at the stage where I am working on a physical mock-up or prototype of what the portfolio will look like once it is printed out.
Last but not least, Johnny and I have been working since the summer on converting his old secretary desk into a bar for our apartment. We are finally at the stage of looking for the right hardware for the project. This has been a much more difficult process than I though since we are trying to match some original copper hinges that we are keeping for the final design.
