| How to Make Ceramics Posted: 15 Apr 2021 01:00 AM PDT Making ceramics is a fun and interesting hobby for people of all ages and abilities. Once you know the basics, you'll be able to start creating your own pieces at home. Depending on the type of clay you use, you may need to use a kiln to make sure your ceramics are safe to use. No matter which techniques you prefer, it's surprisingly easy to learn how to make beautiful masterpieces! [Edit]Handbuilding a Dish - Choose a type of clay for your project. For a hand-built project, it's best to use standard clay that must be fired in a kiln to set the material. Select a natural color, such as gray or brown, and purchase a small amount at first to ensure that it suits your needs. This is ideal for small projects, since your leftover clay will be less likely to dry out.
- If it's your first time using clay or if you don't have access to a kiln, opt for air-dry, oven-baked, or polymer clay. These will allow you to finish your project at home.
- Pull off a small piece of clay to work with. For a small dish, such as a ring dish or a small plate, roll the clay into a walnut-sized ball. For larger items, like a dinner plate or salad dish, start with a baseball-sized ball. Remember, you can always remove excess clay, but it's difficult to add more once you've shaped your piece.
- If you're pulling a piece from a big block of clay, it may be helpful to use a strand of wire to cut off a piece of clay to work with.
- Knead the clay until it's soft and roll it out to thick. Press your thumbs into the clay to warm it up, and pinch and pull on the material to soften it. It's better to have the clay as soft and pliable as possible. Then, shape the soft clay back into a ball, and use a rolling pin to flatten it out into a sheet.[1]
- You can make the clay as thin as thick, but if the clay is too thin, it will become hard to work with.
- Pinch and shape the clay with your hands to achieve the look you want. Cut the sheet of clay into your desired shape using a pointed knife or specialized clay cutting tool. Some ideas include a circular, square, or abstract shape. Then, use your hands to smooth the corners and edges. If you want to make a standard-sized dinner plate, use a plate that you already own as a guide for the shape and size.
- Remove air bubbles to prevent cracking if you're going to use a kiln. As you're working with the clay, feel for areas where there may be air trapped inside of the clay, and poke the spot gently with a needle to release the air. Then, smooth the area with your fingers and a bit of water before allowing the clay to dry.
- Air bubbles can easily cause the pottery to crack or even explode in the kiln, so it's important to remove them before firing and glazing!
[Edit]Using a Pottery Wheel - Select a pottery wheel and 2 lbs (907 g) of clay for your project. Choose a standard wet clay in a natural color, and opt for an electric pottery wheel for your first projects, since they tend to be easier to control and use. If you're starting with a large block of clay, break off and weigh your clay before starting your piece. This is the standard amount to begin with, since working with too much clay can be very difficult for a beginner.[2]
- Be sure to read the package instructions before working with the clay, since specific brands normally have different requirements for drying and firing clay.
- Once you get more experience with using the pottery wheel, you can use more clay to build larger projects.
- Knead and roll the clay into a large cone shape with a rounded point. Pinch, pull, and roll the clay to remove air bubbles that can cause the clay to crack in the kiln. Then, use your hands to form a smooth cone shape, and press down on the point of the cone to make it more rounded. This will provide a firm, thick base for your item on the pottery wheel.[3]
- Place the clay firmly on the wheel with the tip facing down. Make sure the wheel is off and completely dry. Position the clay cone so the rounded point is directly over the center of the wheel, and press down firmly to hold it in place. The clay should easily yield under the pressure if it is soft enough to work with.[4]
- If the clay isn't firmly planted on the wheel, it may slip and slide around as you're trying to shape it.
- If your clay seems hard, continue kneading it until it is soft and pliable.
- Turn the wheel on slowly and tap the clay with dry hands. Set the wheel to a low setting and use your hands to gently smooth and center the clay over the middle of the wheel. This will ensure that the piece is symmetrical over the base. Pay attention to how the clay moves when you reposition your hands, and make sure there are no bumps in the clay.[5]
- Avoid turning the wheel up to a higher setting before wetting the clay. This can cause rough dents in the clay that are hard to work out.
- Wet your hands and place them on the clay as it turns. Dip your hands into room-temperature water, and place them on the clay. Smooth around the outside of the clay and get a feel for the shape and weight of the clay. When you're ready to begin the piece, push the clay forward with the palms of your hands, which is called a plow forward.[6]
- Always keep a bowl or bucket of water close by when you're working with clay on the wheel. If the clay dries out, it can become dented or rough, making it difficult to shape.
- Increase the speed and use your hands to shape the clay into the item you want. After plowing forward, increase the speed to a high setting. Pull the clay upward to make a vase or bowl, or press outward to create plates. As you're working, keep your elbows tucked in near your body, and use your hands to steady the clay. Remember, each piece of pottery is unique, so there's no one "right" way to make an item!
- Common techniques for shaping the clay include "coning," which means pulling the clay upward and using your hands to smooth the sides of the clay into a cone before flattening it.
- If you want to make a bowl, cone the clay upward, and then press the clay downward until it's a disc-like shape. Then, use your thumbs to press a hole into the center of the bowl, and pull the hole outward with your fingers and thumbs as the wheel spins. This will create an opening in the center of the clay along with thick, sturdy walls.
- Cut the clay away from the wheel when you're ready to complete the project. Scrape away as much clay as possible from around the bottom of the piece. Then, turn the wheel off and wait until it stops turning. Once the piece is stationary, drag a strand of thin wire under the base and lift the piece off of the wheel.
- It may be helpful to have someone else cut the piece away from the wheel as you lift it up to prevent the piece from becoming stuck.
- Make sure the wire is as close as possible to the wheel to avoid cutting a slanted base!
[Edit]Adding Finishing Touches and Glazes - Create texture with imprints, stamps, and other tools. If you want your piece to have additional texture, add it while the clay is still soft for the best effect. Use items like leaves, needles, or rubber stamps for a variety of different textures. Always be gentle when using tools and stamps, as it can be easy to puncture or dent the clay.[7]
- If you happen to make a stamp or mark you don't like, simply dip your fingers in water and gently rub them over the area until the mark is smooth.
- Let the clay dry overnight until it becomes lighter in color. If your piece is made of air-dry clay, be sure to check the directions to find out how long you should let the piece dry before handling it. For clay that needs to be fired in a kiln, make sure the clay is dry to the touch, which can take 12-24 hours, depending on the clay that you used and the size of the project. Then, carefully transport the piece to the kiln.[8]
- For air-dry clay, you can use a fine grain sandpaper, such as an 80- or 120-grit, to remove small imperfections and smooth the surface before adding paint.
- Paint air-dry clay with an acrylic or latex paint if you want to add color. Select a paint that is safe for use on clay and that doesn't require firing in a kiln, since air-dry clay can't withstand high temperatures. Apply the paint using brushes, sponges, or other techniques, and then let it air dry according to the directions on the paint.[9]
- If you plan to use the pottery for eating or drinking, opt for a food-safe paint and apply a food-grade sealant all over the piece after the paint is completely dry.
- Fire the clay in a kiln if you aren't using an air-dry clay. Locate a kiln at a local community center, art space, or library, and schedule a time to fire your piece. Carefully lower the item into the kiln, and close the lid. Make sure the kiln is set to the correct temperature for "bisque" firing, which is the first stage of firing the pottery. When it's finished, carefully remove the item from the kiln to add a glaze.[10]
- If you're not sure what that temperature should be, check the directions on the clay packaging. If you don't have the packaging, research the type of clay you're using to find the ideal firing temperature.
- Apply a glaze according to the instructions on the packaging. Dip the item into the glaze, or paint the glaze onto the newly-fired piece. If you want to add multicolor designs, use brushes or sponges to apply the glazes in an abstract design, since they will sometimes blend and run together in the kiln. If you prefer the natural color of the clay, apply a clear glaze for extra protection.[11]
- Keep in mind that the color of the glaze when it is applied can look different than when it is fired. Be sure to choose the glaze based on the fired color!
- Avoid putting glaze on the bottom of the piece, since this can make it stick to the kiln.
- Place the piece in the kiln for a second time to seal the glaze. Transfer the item to the kiln by holding the base to avoid smudging the glaze. Check the glaze packaging and set the kiln to the correct temperature, which is normally lower than the bisque firing temperature. Make sure the item isn't touching any other pottery in the kiln, and close the lid to start firing. Once it is finished, carefully remove the item from the kiln!
- After it's fired, you can safely touch and handle the item without affecting the glaze, since it should be completely cured and hardened.
- If you're not sure of the appropriate temperature, check online for temperature charts that list a variety of glazes.
[Edit]Warnings - Always be careful and wear heat-resistant gloves when removing your pottery from the kiln. Clay retains heat and can easily burn you, causing you to drop and break your new piece of pottery!
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Clay
- Rolling pin (optional)
- Cutting tool
- Pottery wheel (optional)
- Kiln (optional)
- Glaze (optional)
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Wash Outside Windows Posted: 14 Apr 2021 05:00 PM PDT Outside windows usually have more grime than inside ones, so they require extra attention to detail when cleaning them. As long as you use the right technique to clean your outside windows twice a year, you'll be able to keep them nice and clear. Avoid using commercial window cleaners and instead scrub your windows with a simple solution of clean, cool water and liquid dish detergent. Make sure to squeegee them clean using the proper technique to avoid streaks. [Edit]Cleaning Exterior Windows - Work on a cool, cloudy day so the windows don't dry too fast. Choose an overcast day to wash your exterior windows so that there won't be any direct sunlight on them. Too much sun will dry the window cleaning solution before you can wipe it all off and leave streaks on your windows.[1]
- It will also be much easier to see where the windows are dirty without the sun reflecting off of them.
- Remove any window screens and clean them if necessary. Pop off or unscrew the windows screens and set them on a clean tarp or drop cloth outside. Rinse them thoroughly with a garden hose on low pressure to clean off dust and dirt. Shake the excess water off the screens, dry them with a clean towel as much as you can, and let them air dry all the way.[2]
- You can spot-clean any particularly dirty areas with a soft-bristled scrubbing brush and water to remove stuck-on dirt that doesn't come off by rinsing.
- For extra cleaning, rinse the screen, then spray it with a water and vinegar solution. Rinse it again, then let it dry thoroughly.[3]
- Rinse all the windows with a water before cleaning. This will get rid of the top layer of dust and dirt. It will make it much easier to focus on cleaning the more stubborn grime off the windows.[4]
- The easiest way to do this is with a garden hose. If you don't have a garden hose or you can't reach all of the windows with your hose, then fill a bucket with water from the faucet and splash it onto the windows to rinse them.
- Fill a bucket with clean water and 1 squirt of liquid dish detergent. Fill a clean bucket with clean, cool water from the faucet. Squeeze 1 squirt of liquid dish detergent from the bottle into the water in the bucket to make a window washing solution.[5]
- Cool water takes longer to dry, so it will give you more time to work before the cleaning solution starts to dry and leave streaks on your windows.
- Dip a window scrubber or sponge into the bucket and wring it out. A window scrubber is ideal for cleaning medium to large windows as it will cover more area. A large sponge, like the kind for washing cars, works fine as well.[6]
- You can also use a soft microfiber cloth.[7]
- It's important to squeeze out the excess cleaning solution from the sponge or scrubber to help reduce streaking.
- Window scrubbers are wide rectangular sponges attached to a handle of some kind. The handle can often be screwed onto a standard broomstick or telescopic pole.
- Scrub the window at all angles with the window scrubber or sponge. Start at the top of a window and work your way down. Scrub in all directions at different angles to cover every part of the glass.[8]
- If the sponge or scrubber gets dirty in the middle of cleaning a window, dip it in the solution and wring it out again, then continue to clean the rest of the window.
- Squeegee a narrow vertical strip at 1 side of the window. Start in the top corner, tilt the squeegee so just the corner is touching the glass, and pull it all the way down the glass to create a clean vertical strip along the edge on 1 side of the window. This will make it easier to squeegee the whole window clean using horizontal strokes.[9]
- If you are right-handed, start in the top left-hand corner. If you are left-handed, start in the top right-hand corner.
- Use horizontal strokes to squeegee the whole window clean. Turn the squeegee horizontally and place the edge against the clean strip in the top corner. Pull it firmly across the window to remove the cleaning solution from the glass. Work your way down the entire window, overlapping your strokes by about , until the glass is totally clear.[10]
- Wipe your squeegee with a clean, dry cloth between strokes to remove excess liquid.
- You don't need to rinse the window after scrubbing it with the soapy water because the squeegee will remove all of the solution and leave the window clean.
- Wipe up any remaining drops of water with a dry, lint-free cloth. Use a microfiber cloth or other lint-free cloth to dry off any drips of water you missed with the squeegee. Pay special attention to the perimeter of the glass where the squeegee might not have reached all the way.[11]
- Put your fingertip inside the cloth and wipe it along the side, top, and bottom edges to get right into the corners and ensure you dry up all the remaining drops of water.
- You can also use newspaper to dry your windows.[12]
- Reattach any window screens that you removed. Give the screens a final inspection once they are dry and spot-clean any areas you notice are still dirty. Pop them back into place or screw them back on when you are satisfied that they are clean.[13]
- If you clean your outdoor windows and screens every 6 months or at least every spring, it will be much easier to keep them looking clean.
[Edit]Using Special Techniques - Use a telescopic pole to clean hard-to-reach windows. A telescopic pole is like a broomstick that extends to different lengths. Screw a window scrubber onto one of these poles in order to scrub tall and out-of-reach windows, then swap a squeegee onto it to finish the cleaning.[14]
- Use a window scrubber attached to the pole to scrub the window at all angles with soapy water, working from top to bottom. Then, put a squeegee on the pole and pull it straight down the window, working from one side to the other using overlapping strokes to remove all the water and soap.
- If you don't have a telescopic pole, then you can use a ladder to reach high windows. Just make sure you have a helper to hold the ladder steady while you are cleaning the windows and be careful!
- Use a sponge and a custom-cut squeegee to clean multi-pane windows. A window scrubber will be too wide to clean a window that has multiple panes on it, so use a handheld sponge that will fit within each pane. Cut a squeegee to fit the window panes using a hacksaw for the metal part and a utility knife for the rubber strip.[15] shorter than the width of the windowpane, and make the rubber strip the exact width of the windowpane.}}
- Scrub the glass with the sponge soaked in a solution of clean, cool water and liquid dish detergent. Squeegee each pane clean with 1 stroke from top to bottom with your custom-cut squeegee.
- Soak stubborn stains with a vinegar and water solution before scrubbing. Mix a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar in a spray bottle and spray it onto stubborn grime, such as bird droppings. Let it soak for 3-5 minutes, then wipe it with a dry sponge to remove it.[16]
- Don't use steel wool or abrasive scrubbing pads as these can scratch the window glass.
- Clean mineral deposits off windows with a commercial CLR cleaner. Hard water can leave hard-to-clean mineral deposits on windows. Use a commercial cleaner that is meant for removing things like calcium, lime, and rust to remove these types of mineral stains. Follow the directions on the label to use it.[17]
- These types of commercial cleaners are often marketed for cleaning things like showers and bathtubs. You don't need anything made especially for glass.
- Avoid using commercial window cleaners for regular outdoor window cleaning because they often leave streaks and even attract more dust and dirt. Only use special cleaning products for removing mineral deposits left by hard water.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Cleaning Exterior Windows - Garden hose
- Bucket
- Water
- Liquid dish detergent
- Window scrubber or sponge
- Squeegee
- Lint-free cloth
- Tarp or drop cloth
[Edit]Using Special Techniques - Water
- Vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Sponge
- Squeegee
- Hacksaw
- Utility knife
- Telescopic pole
- CLR cleaner
[Edit]References |
| How to Get Big Muscles Using Dumbbells Posted: 14 Apr 2021 09:00 AM PDT If you're looking for big muscles, dumbbell workouts are a phenomenal way to go. While most people picture someone doing bicep exercises with dumbbells, you can actually incorporate dumbbells into a variety of exercises to get a full-body workout. Even if you just hold them while you do squats or lunges, you're going to see massive gains over time from the addition of some weight resistance. Keep in mind that it takes time bulk up, so don't get discouraged if you feel like you aren't getting bigger after a few weeks of lifting! [Edit]Can I build muscle with just dumbbells? - Yes, so long as you increase the weight over time. You can absolutely bulk up with dumbbells, but you're going to hit a wall if you don't keep adding weight. Every few weeks, increase the amount of weight you're lifting by or so to keep those gains going.[1] The goal here is to increase the weight so that you're exhausting your muscles after 6-10 reps for each exercise, and that won't happen if you don't keep adding weight.[2]
- If you just lift the same dumbbells for a year, you're certainly going to stronger, but you won't get huge muscles. You need to use heavier weights as you get stronger to keep bulking up.
[Edit]How heavy should dumbbells be? - For women, start at ; for men, start out with a set. Do 14-22 bicep curls. If you can't even get up to 14 reps before your arms give out, start out with dumbbells that are lighter than what you're currently using. If you get to 22 reps and you aren't feeling a burn, add and repeat the test. When you find a weight where your muscles are strained between 14 and 22 reps, you've found your starting weight.[3]
- Periodically add to each dumbbell as you start having an easier time completing exercises. For most folks, this should start happening after 2-3 weeks of working out. If you aren't even breaking a sweat, you won't make any progress.
[Edit]How do you get big with just dumbbells? - Keep your reps low, weights heavy, and exhaust your muscles. Doing 30 reps with and 3 reps with should theoretically be the same amount of work, right? Not quite.[4] Low-weight and high-rep resistance training will make you tone, but you need to keep the weight heavy enough to exhaust your muscles after 6-10 reps or so if you're going to bulk up.[5]
- When you get strong enough where your muscles aren't exhausted after a shorter number of reps, add weight. By continuously increasing the weight you're lifting over time, you'll keep getting bigger and bigger muscles.
[Edit]How do I bulk my arms up with dumbbells? - Do bicep curls to build bicep muscles. Stand with a straight back and hold both dumbbells in your hands. To do a standard curl, raise the dumbbell in each arm slowly up to your shoulder. Focus on keeping your entire body still while your arms are moving. Once you've raised each dumbbell up and lowered it to the original position, count 1 rep.[6]
- Do lateral raises to build your shoulder muscles. Stand up straight and let the dumbbells hang at your sides. Then, flex your core and slowly raise the weights out to your side. Hold the weights at shoulder level and slowly lower them down to count 1 rep. Keep your back and legs as straight as possible.[7]
- Use overhead extensions to bulk your triceps up. Sit down in a chair and hold one dumbbell behind your head with both hands. Keep your elbows bent at a 90-degree angle. Breathe in as you slowly lower the weight a few inches behind you. Then, breathe out as you lift the dumbbell straight up and extend your elbows to count 1 rep.[8]
[Edit]How do I work out my chest and back with dumbbells? - For your back, do dumbbell rows to get big muscles. Grab just one dumbbell and lean over the side of a bench or coffee table so your back is parallel to the ground. Let the dumbbell hang down in your hand. Slowly raise it directly straight up until it's at the same height as your side. Slowly lower the weight back down to count 1 rep. Switch arms when you're done with the first arm.[9]
- Do the bench press with dumbbells to build your chest up. Lay down on a lifting bench with a dumbbell in each hand. Hold the weights over your chest and slowly raise them up above you at the same time. Keep your movements contained and don't arch your back off of the ground. Lower the weights slowly back to your chest to count 1 rep.[10]
[Edit]How do I build lower body muscle with dumbbells? - Do reverse lunges with dumbbells to bulk up. Grab your dumbbells and step back with your right foot. Lower your hips and lean forward to lower the dumbbells near the ground. Then, push your left foot down and swing your right foot forward to return to a standing position. Alternate side and repeat the process by putting your left foot back to count 1 rep.[11]
- Hold dumbbells while doing squats to work your legs. Grab your dumbbells and hold them next to your hips. Keep your knees bent and your back straight. Slowly you're your hips down and back to lower yourself into a squat position. Stop once your thighs are parallel to the ground and extend back up to the standing position to count 1 rep.[12]
[Edit]How can I build muscle fast with dumbbells? - You should see some gains in a few months, but it varies. A lot of this comes down to genetics, so it's impossible to say how long it will take you to get that bodybuilder look. If you're consistent with your workout routine, you increase the amount of weight you lift as you improve, and you eat a healthy diet, you should see some visible gains in a few months.[13]
- When it comes to efficient workouts for bulking up, doing 3 sets of 8-12 reps for each exercise is going to give you the best bang for your buck.[14]
[Edit]Can you build muscle in 30 minutes a day? - Yes, especially if you're consistent and use proper form. Thirty minutes is more than enough time to complete 3-4 exercises with dumbbells. This is perfect if you plan on working out your upper body one day and your lower body the next day.[15] You can also dedicate 3 days a week or so to cardio and calisthenics and skip the dumbbells altogether on those days to rest. So long as you're consistent, you'll make progress.[16]
- A lot of people start an exercise routine and then they call it quits after a few weeks when they don't see any progress. It can take time to build muscle, especially if you're only working out 30 minutes a day a few times a week. Just remember, your hard work will pay off eventually!
[Edit]Can I lift dumbbells every day? - No, you need to take a day off after heavy lifting to recover. This doesn't necessarily mean that you shouldn't do anything physical, though. After every day of dumbbell training, take a day off to stretch, use a foam roller, or get your cardio in by running, swimming, or riding a bike. Staying active on your off days will keep your metabolism up which will also help you get that cut, muscular look you're going for.[17]
- You can lift every day so long as you're working out alternative muscle groups. For example, if you work your arms out one day, do your legs the next.
- It's especially important to take rest days if you're lifting heavier weights. Overdoing it and working out every day can increase your risk of injury, harm your performance, and contribute to poor sleep and mood swings.[18]
- Start slow if you haven't worked out in a while. It's easy to go overboard when you're excited about getting fit, but you don't want to risk an injury by starting out with more than your body can handle.[19]
- If you aren't trying to spend a ton of money on a gym membership but you're looking for a great workout, investing in some dumbbells is a great way to go. You'll need to buy the weights, but they're relatively inexpensive so far as workout equipment goes.
- The whole "eat more protein" idea is a little off. You need to eat a balanced diet even when you're trying to bulk up.[20]
- Don't overeat when you're starting out with your exercise regimen. You have to lose the excess body fat to get visible, big muscles.[21]
[Edit]Warnings - If you have any kind of underlying health condition, talk to your doctor before you start an exercise routine just to make sure it's safe.[22]
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
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