Thursday, May 28, 2009

How Dry I am!


You might remember a few months back, I was belly aching that my clay simply wasn't drying fast enough. Fellow artist P.J (see her blog here) told me to use a dehumidifier to pull the moisture out fast. I thought it sounded like a great idea and finally just got around to getting one. I cleared out a portion of my storage room and put in a drying rack. I put up a clear shower curtain and put the dehumidifier inside. Voila! Instant Paperclay kiln!

The dehumidifier REALLY sucks the moisture out the pieces...fast! Way quicker than just letting them sit on their own. I need to put a small fan inside to circulate the air - which I'm sure will lead to even faster drying time.

Now I have no excuse not to have more pieces completed ;) Thanks P.J.!

Dry...it's a good thing!
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23 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 28, 2009 at 5:05 PM

    What we'll we find out next that makes our life easier ..
    Pattee

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  2. Cheryl PraterMay 28, 2009 at 5:08 PM

    Great idea! Thanks for sharing it.

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  3. Cody GoodinMay 28, 2009 at 5:26 PM

    What a great idea. I also heard you can use a food dehydrator for small pieces.

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  4. Halloween FanaticMay 28, 2009 at 6:03 PM

    What is up with these little pictures??My glasses only magnify so much???

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  5. Creepy Creations by Jamie MooreMay 28, 2009 at 8:06 PM

    WOW, very cool idea!! Thanks for the tip!!

    Jamie

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  6. Sheryl ParsonsMay 28, 2009 at 8:39 PM

    Yay! Glad to see that you got to it. Did you build the shelf? How fast do they dry now?
    :-)
    Sheryl

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  7. snippetgirlMay 28, 2009 at 8:49 PM

    Excellent idea!! I will have to try that. I sculpted a few things today that have quite a bit of solid paperclay and was bemoaning the fact that they would take even MORE time to dry. I have no patience with that :). Thanks for sharing!

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  8. Jorge de RojasMay 29, 2009 at 5:31 AM

    Great to hear you found a solution that works for you.
    Your already so prolific producing, I'm scared!
    Jorge

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  9. Christopher A. KlinglerMay 29, 2009 at 6:23 AM

    GREAT tip! '-)

    Glad it is working well for you.

    Enjoy your weekend!

    Chris :-)

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  10. magikalseasonsMay 29, 2009 at 7:02 AM

    What a great idea much better than waiting for a sunny day!:)

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  11. TheresaMay 29, 2009 at 2:55 PM

    What a good idea... I don't do paper clay but I've been thinking about it. Also I have to ask... what's in the pumpkin head in the last photo to the left??? An owl??? I love that black cat in the pumpkin on your website...let me know if you do anymore of those. :)

    Hugs,
    Theresa

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  12. Chicken LipsMay 29, 2009 at 3:11 PM

    Theresa - Yes, you are correct - that is an Owl on top of that pumpkin.
    I hope to have in done in the next week or so. I'm sure I will post on my blog once he is complete.

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  13. Monkey-Cats StudioMay 29, 2009 at 3:25 PM

    There you go...your own drying area!!!
    Have a great weekend David!!!

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  14. UnknownMay 29, 2009 at 3:41 PM

    YAY!! thrilled to hear it's working so well for you! Wanna fly to Canada and set me up?

    Lori

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  15. TheresaMay 29, 2009 at 4:59 PM

    I love owls... thats so cool...can't wait to see it finished. Thanks David :)

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  16. Robin Armstrong SeeberMay 29, 2009 at 8:15 PM

    fabulous idea david! good for you! yay!

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  17. yoboroboMay 29, 2009 at 8:51 PM

    Dehumidifiers are great - we have one in our basement and it makes a big difference. I think it would turn into a swamp if we didn't. :) I don't work in paper clay but I am going to file this info away in case some day I do. :) Have a great weekend!

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  18. William BezekMay 30, 2009 at 8:05 AM

    Good on you! Now take a break and have a Martini!

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  19. HowlingMoonDesignsMay 30, 2009 at 3:28 PM

    Thats pretty darn cool David! Good Job! :)
    Hugs,
    Candy

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  20. CaroleeMay 31, 2009 at 5:14 AM

    What a wonderful idea!! I LOVE sculpting paperclay accents for my wood pieces, but the drying time is such a drag....Must look into this!

    Amazing WIPs!!

    ~ Carolee

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  21. KatHreNJune 1, 2009 at 9:54 AM

    Thats a great idea. I don't have the greatest of patience, thats why I like to use polymor clay. But I might just try that idea. I hate waiting.....LOL

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  22. AnonymousJune 1, 2009 at 11:01 AM

    Would not have thought of that, thanks for passing it on! ☺

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  23. PJHornbergerFolkArtist.comJune 5, 2009 at 6:00 PM

    Yeah! Great looking drying closet, David. So glad it's working for you. I used a small fan in mine, and it does help. PJ

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I always appreciate your comments!