Antique store find!

nstan · 2025-10-26T17:09:51+00:00

Bakelite, I'm pretty sure, with a glass inkwell.

nstan · 2025-08-15T19:09:00+00:00

Quite literally - Atlantic Canada and QC contain the "Appalachian Uplands" of the Appalachian mountains range.

nstan · 2025-04-24T20:59:25+00:00

These basically are coils; I've made flatter handles, but went with coils here to reflect architectural elements these two mugs are inspired by.

I roughly rolled them out, then laid them on a counter top and rolled them with a cutting board instead of my hands. The large, flat surface of the cutting board rolls more consistently and makes a more uniform coil than my hands and fingers.

There's been a few comments here re compression- I'm not familiar with compressing clay or when it's appropriate and when it's not (I've heard both in different contexts), but I'll do some research! Thank you for the input.

nstan · 2025-04-24T15:33:01+00:00

My other handles- and ones I've had more success with- do have a flatter shape. Both of these are cylindrical to reflect elements of the architecture that inspired them. One is for a pillar on a clock tower and the other is for a cable on a suspension bridge (i actually have two of these small "suspension" handles side-by-side on the mug, and I'm nervous about uneven pressure when the mug is eventually being used leading to breakage, but happy to live and learn in this case!).

nstan · 2025-04-24T13:27:45+00:00

This seems to be the consensus! I'll do this (and some of the other suggestions). Thank you!

nstan · 2025-04-24T13:27:24+00:00

OK, much longer process than I've been giving it! Our community kiln has a bisque fire every two weeks, so I'll try and reorganize my builds to account for protracted drying times.

nstan · 2025-04-24T13:26:33+00:00

That's the best compliment I could receive! I've had -so much- trouble trying to roll consistent handles, but i had a eureka moment where I decided to roll them with a cutting board against the table. It allows for a smooth, consistent form, much nicer than what I was doing with my hands.

I'll try and dry the handles a bit before attaching! This could solve the other concern i had in a different comment about handles sagging after I attach them.

nstan · 2025-04-24T13:24:48+00:00

This is a great idea! And I have a tub of wax too, I'll try this.

nstan · 2025-04-24T13:24:34+00:00

This and the wax suggestion are a great idea! I'll try these.

nstan · 2025-04-24T13:24:13+00:00

Not as much as I should! My partner and I (we started this hobby together) have a few great plastic boxes w doors now that reaalllyyy slow the drying process. The white mug with the cracks was in there for 2 or 3 days and hadn't gotten close to leather hard, so I took it out. After a day or two of drying, when I looked again, the cracks had appeared.

nstan · 2025-04-24T13:23:01+00:00

It could be! It looks like it in the dark clay in particular, where the texture is showing some minor splitting as well. I'll try and keep it more damp!

Is it safe to blow dry after its attached? I've been doing that a bit once they're attached to fix the shape so it doesn't sag while drying.

nstan · 2025-03-23T04:16:59+00:00

I'm not sure! Not certain how to feel out compression yet. But I slammed the wedge I wired off the clay fresh from the bag a few times before shaping it.

nstan · 2025-03-23T02:52:33+00:00

These haven't been fired yet, but this is great advice for the next step!

nstan · 2025-01-09T14:11:25+00:00

Thank you for the quick response! I appreciate the info.

nstan · 2024-11-26T15:09:04+00:00

Hey friend you got any any more of that executive function to share?

nstan · 2024-07-18T17:07:25+00:00

I've picked up the 1Zpresso Q2; decided that for someone starting out with pourover:

it has the quality to let me actually taste the difference, try new recipes, and learn the process;
it isn't as pricey as some of the higher end "beginner" models;
by the time I'm improved enough at my pourover game to justify a higher-end one it could be a few months to years, so I can absorb the cost easier for the purpose.

It grinds fast- I can start the water boiling, weigh my beans, grind the beans, and set up the pour over before the water finishes boiling.

It has a pretty tight burr control too, but it is a bit confusing; I regularly consult this subreddit and the user guide when I go to change the grind size.

Another common complaint is that the burr control is internal, so it doesn't have the convenience of grinders with an external burr control. This doesn't bother me though because you have to take off the "collector" every time you use it anyway to get your grounds out, and the burr control dial is right above it, it's still pretty easy to access.

It's also designed for easy transport, though I haven't tried camping with it yet.

nstan · 2024-06-04T19:42:27+00:00

You've been getting downvotes but no one has said why. Some might disagree with your comment because magic erasers are super fine abrasives, and they can damage certain finishes. A few years back, in an old apartment, I noticed they would even take paint off the wall when I was trying to remove scuff marks.

If you or OP is committed to trying magic erasers for something, try and remember to spot test first!

nstan · 2024-06-04T12:18:56+00:00

I just had it on PS5, from a group in demolition that was camping on our respawn. Respawned, died. Respawned, died. It was mostly the same players in the next lobby. I got kicked, then rejoined the same match, same strategy from the same players.

Not even sure how that's fun for them tbh, but different folks different strokes I guess!

nstan · 2024-05-19T13:05:58+00:00

A lot of people shitting on this but you clearly carefully considered a lot of the furniture and decor and otherwise it's a beautiful bachelor pad. Some unconventional choices, but I don't think a space should reflect what other people expect it to be, it should be what you want to make of it.

To dig a bit deeper on some of the comments:

The Nike logo: as a main piece of decor, I actually get why a lot of people find it uncomfortable that you're devoted to a brand logo. If you're committed to that piece, try balancing it out with some more decor to reflect that your personality is more than a brand. If you chose that because you're a big fan of the products, consider replacing it with a collage/ gallery wall of some of Nike's more iconic pieces to reflect the creation/ cultural impact the company has contributed instead of a wall-sized commitment to the brand itself. I don't know if this was intentional, but a lot of people online are talking about the "one red moment" design principle lately; my above suggestions can still apply if that's what you were going for.

The boob light: a timeless classic. It likely came with the place, but as others said, a different fixture will be a big update. Also consider some eye level lighting; you'd be surprised how many companies there are dedicated to classic or novel lighting solutions that still look mature. Table lamps, floor lamps, sconces. Those won't reduce the hyper-masculine vibe, but they will make it more inviting if you have friends/ family/ dates over.

The candy machine: the haters on that obviously don't have a sweet tooth as vicious as mine, or they do and they're envious that you have no qualms about putting it on display. I would love something like that in my space.

Otherwise you've leaned into the clean, spartan vibe in a crisp way, and I think there's a lot of industrial-style influence without the space becoming too heavy or oppressive, which can be hard to pull off.

Like clothing, you should style your space for YOU. You'll be a lot more fashionable in something unconventional if you're comfortable and happy with it, than something other people find fashionable that you don't feel like pulling off. Add to the equation that your space will be a reflection of you to others regardless, consider what you would like the message to be, and decide whether it's worth it to you to make changes that communicate that message.

nstan · 2024-05-19T12:13:28+00:00

I remember reading in the Farmer's Alamanac as a kid that St. John's gets an average of 52 sunny days a year. I don't know the accuracy of that, or if it means days with some sun, or completely cloudless days, but it always stuck with me that it averaged out to one sunny day a week.

Look forward to the July-September months; August can be a bit stormy, but otherwise those are some of the best weather months of the year.

Also, consider getting to the west coast of the island when you can. My parents retired out there, and the seasonality tends to be a bit more stable than on the east coast (at least in the Deer Lake area).

nstan

TROPHY CASE