20 
RERAMIC STUDIO 
HELPFUL HINTS 
A piece of asbestos board cut to fit the bottom of the kiln 
makes stilts unnecessary for pieces that do not rest flatly on 
the bottom. This need never be removed but should be 
brushed or wiped before each packing. Plates or any flat 
pieces can be safely fired on edge on this, by being careful to 
separate them at the top by small stilts. Often a small narrow 
strip cut from asbestos paper answers better than a stilt, but 
this should not touch a painted surface or it will not glaze well. 
My kiln has a running length of more than twelve feet 
of stove-pipe, wired to hold. As a means of precaution I 
used occasionally to hire a man to take it down and clean it, 
but have found that the preparations sold at the stores for 
cleaning soot out of chimneys will work as well in the kiln. 
Put plenty of the powder on the burner, turn on enough 
oil to keep it burning well, and in an hour or two the walls will 
be white and clean. 
To help a kiln wear well, close all the drafts as soon as the 
firing is over, shut any door or window that allows cold air to 
blow on the kiln while it is cooling, and never be tempted to 
open or unpack it until it is cool. 
It often happens that pupils want to work all day and 
bring their lunch for the noon hour, have good short stories, 
magazine articles, or some helpful reading at hand, and have 
one read while the others are eating. During the afternoon's 
work the reading can be discussed, and personalities, the bane 
of a studio, avoided. Good books, not too long, have been 
read this way taking a chapter or two at a time. 
If pupils work until they are fagged out insist on 
them leaving their work for a short walk or rest. A couch is 
a good piece of furniture for a studio. 
Some one comes in in a hurry, wants to make a gift right 
away, but the design must be new or different. Refer them to 
your list of birthday flowers, or find the recipients' favorite 
flower or color, their nationality, or section of country they 
live in. Nearly every locality has some thing or symbol 
typical of itself, and for those who have or care for them the 
family coat of arms is good. One of my pupils made a little 
original design that she now works in on all her own pieces 
giving them a personal touch. A belt pin in a Florida scene, 
trees festooned with Spanish Moss delighted the heart of a 
girl moving to the far northwest; Irish Moss in green, on an 
Irish bride's plates; Heather and Thistles for the Scotch; a 
design in Arrow-head and Oranges for a San Bernardina, 
California, girl; one thing suggests another until it becomes 
difficult to choose. 
A note-book made from my own observations and exper- 
iences is given each new pupil to copy and study to the benefit 
of both pupil and teacher. 
Don't be fearful of giving too much for the pay you get; 
it is good to have your pupils come back to see you occasionally 
and tell you how much they appreciate you since they have 
gone out in the world where you pay for everything you get. 
One good turn deserves another, and generally speaking, 
gets it, and there is need of good fellowship in our worlc. 
Gertrude Gilpin. 
BOWL, MUSHROOM MOTIF— HENRIETTA BARCLAY PAIST 
Adapted from the Japanese 
(Treatment page 12) 
