Having recently acquired two of your mugs, I really have to say that they've given me a new layer of appreciation for your work. They're handmade but so well refined and almost delicate. Nothing like what my hands are capable of creating yet, but goals and ambitions. Thank you again from Washington!
Diamond Core sure does make quality tools. I enjoyed watching you experiment on the mugs. Fun to see the post glazing pics too! There is a double ended diamond shaped stylus that I bought from DC last year and I love it for doing sgraffito. It doesn’t leave little burs of clay. I so enjoy your videos. Thank you!
The magic of your sgraffito really well highlighted using the Diamond Core tools. The demo of your fluting in different ways really turned out well. Wish list just got some more items added. Stay warm in your Fraser ancient hunting tartan shirt. One of my Dad's kilts was this tartan. Cheers...Freddie
Oh Vaughan! Ignore my last question! As you moved through the carving I understood the need for the colored slips over the brown clay. Almost, subtractive printmaking!! Love it!
So glad to see you working with the new tools. Looks like they will be easier on you hands. Thanks for sharing your carving techniques, very enjoyable to watch.
Reminds me of when I was a kid. Dad and us kids would go sometimes have to the local lake and break the ice for the ducks. It was rare, but sometimes the ducks didn't keep it open. Thanks for sharing!
Looks cold! Love the work. Love seeing glimpses of home. From Meteghan on the Bay of Fundy (now in Florida). Will definitely take a road trip to see your shop when I (hopefully) get back this summer.
I think we will be back to some sort of normal this summer. It has not been too bad in Nova Scotia, unless you needed some sort of medical procedure, no beds in hospitals. 58F today and snow for 36 hours starting tomorrow. Stay safe.
I have wanted to know how you do this. You are so very experienced and talented and a great teacher. How kind of you to share your talents with us. This is something that some day I want to do. I need a lot more experience with basic carving first.
I keep on watching your instructing videos and creative and delicate pieces from a small village in the North of Seville (Spain). I'm surrounded by mountains full of holm oaks, brown cows and fat pigs fed with accorns to get delicious barly salted ham. And while I work as a teacher on weekdays and look after my ill mother and sister at weekends I watch your soothing videos and I daydream of setting up my own clay studio but I can not devise where nor when. Keep on leading the track. Thank you, Mr Smith.
You always give us so much content and go into such detail. What skill you have in carving the tile and mugs. Thank you for giving us such good lessons and explaining your thoughts and why you are doing doing things a certain way. The mugs turned out great and it will be interesting to see how the glaze flows on each.
I got to the point of you saying how cold it was and got interrupted. Thank you for letting me know I missed the last bit. Those mugs are all just beautiful! I love to see the final products! Thank you again for sharing! What inspirations!
Thanks for the review and the insight on carving. I know it's cold in this video but, You just got the second of two brutal nor'easters. I hope everything is well there.
Thank you so much for sharing. As an aside, you can adjust the angle of the blade for carving by adjusting the screws and also note the non-blade end is also a tool.
The finished mugs look terrific with the carved detail. I have 3 of these tools, like them, and also appreciate the fact that the heads can be changed. I could hear your cat breathing beside you! Do you think she has silicosis from being the studio cat? Hope you've warmed up now, although I did see that the East coast was going to have a big snow storm!
Poubelle lived at the house for 10 years and always had the breathing issue, she was found by me in a superfund site in NY state. She was born in a toxic waste dump. Her lungs were damaged from the gitgo. She is hunting in the great beyond now. The vet thinks she had lung cancer. My studio cats are usually from the house, we take them to the studio near their end so they do not get picked on by the other house cats. It is their retirement care home.
@@susanvalleauderby2934 Thanks Susan. I have one other geriatric cat at my house who is slowing down. Hopefully he will hang in there. Cats can be mean to other weak and sick cats. May be that is to general a statement. We have one large yellow long hair who was in the Xmas ornament video, he likes to chase other cats. My older cat is not amused.
Can I ask, why start with brown clay, then add white slip and yellow? Why not black slip over white clay? Also why the yellow layer of slip. I love your work. Beautiful.
This is a great video Vaughn! I have been wondering for a long time if the Diamond core tools are worth the money. I obviously don’t do such detailed work as you but I do love to do the carvings like on your mugs. They just seem to be extremely expensive. Are there other carving tools that you’ve tried other than the ones you showed that you could suggest for someone like myself? Thanks!
I have lots of carving tools from all sources. They all work fine. My issue is that many are too narrow to hold for long periods. I thicken them with duct tape, rubber bands, anything that helps make them easier to hold. I hope for the expense the diamond core tools last a lot longer too. The Kemper tool is my favourite for fine detail but I wear them out very quickly. Sometimes they only last a month. I have to replace the complete tool. I hope the replacement heads of Diamond Core tools are more economical.
Wonderful! Do you make your own slips? I’ve been wanting to experiment with slips, but I’m stuck teaching myself right now because of COVID and my immune disease. Do you just make a slurry of clay and color it with oxides or mason stains?
I make my own slips. Slip trailing is done just using the regular white B-Mix5. I use Robin Hoppers slip recipes in The book "The Ceramic Spectrum". He has different ones depending on the temperature you fire to.
With those small handled tool…. Buy some polymer clay, like Sculpey and you can build up the handle to whatever is comfortable n bake in a home oven, Also an epoxy clay can be used if you can’t bake the tool
@@Vsmithpots lol yes I get it, “if it ain’t broke”! But if you ever need a custom tool or just love tools enough you might like making them (like me), perhaps a wide scoring tool, maybe in a pinch n need a special carver with bezel or round wire or perhaps even a custom buck tail pin stripper, it’s just nice to have around the house and studio. Also, because those “clays” must be cured, they don’t dry out
@@deannak1841 I too like making my own tools. I have more tools than anyone can use in one lifetime so I like to modify the ones I have. The Femo clay is nice to make handles, I have a 6 pin scoring tool that I use often.
I have a lot of carving tools and they are the most expensive ones in my arsenal. The test will be in how long they last. My Kemper R2 only lasts a week if I carve every day. They are $7 each. We will see if the DC tool lasts 4X as long and then I just replace the head.
That is why I said No to the other offers I have had for free stuff to use in the studio, also refusing youtube offers to monetize my channel by allowing ads on it. I have been interested in these tools but never bought any because of the price. They seemed over priced. Now that I have tried them I can see how sharp they are, even for trimming leather hard clay they shave off layers so accurately and do not grab the clay. My longevity test will take awhile to discover their lasting qualities. I love the Kemper tool I use for detailed carving but I wear one out a week, you cannot replace the worn out head so I throw away the whole tool, handle and all. I have hopes that the DC tool will last much longer and I can replace the head without any waste. Time will tell.
Having recently acquired two of your mugs, I really have to say that they've given me a new layer of appreciation for your work. They're handmade but so well refined and almost delicate. Nothing like what my hands are capable of creating yet, but goals and ambitions. Thank you again from Washington!
Thanks for the appreciation.
Diamond Core tools are amazing! They also have amazing sand paper discs.....
Good to know.
Vaughn, you are so talented..I love watching your videos
Thanks again.
Thank you fir for the demonstration of diamond core tools. My Daughter has ordered me some fir for Christmas. I have enjoyed watching . Thank you
I love how you care enough to care for the birds💖🙏❣
Diamond Core sure does make quality tools. I enjoyed watching you experiment on the mugs. Fun to see the post glazing pics too! There is a double ended diamond shaped stylus that I bought from DC last year and I love it for doing sgraffito. It doesn’t leave little burs of clay. I so enjoy your videos. Thank you!
Good to know, I will be getting some more tools.
Thank you for sharing. It’s great to see you experiment & enjoy the process! 💖
Thanks
I so enjoyed your demo of the Diamond core carving tools. The tiles are awesome. Thanks
Thank you
The magic of your sgraffito really well highlighted using the Diamond Core tools. The demo of your fluting in different ways really turned out well. Wish list just got some more items added.
Stay warm in your Fraser ancient hunting tartan shirt. One of my Dad's kilts was this tartan.
Cheers...Freddie
Thanks Freddie, call me if you need more info on the tools.
How neat! New toys are inspiring but these appear to be a delight to use as well. Spectacular work on the tiles! Such talent! Thanks! Keep warm!
Thanks, I have cats to keep warm.
Oh Vaughan! Ignore my last question! As you moved through the carving I understood the need for the colored slips over the brown clay. Almost, subtractive printmaking!! Love it!
Thanks, I hope the demo helps.
So glad to see you working with the new tools. Looks like they will be easier on you hands. Thanks for sharing your carving techniques, very enjoyable to watch.
Thanks, definitely easier on the hands.
Thank you for sharing your joy of experimentation! 🥰
Thanks
Reminds me of when I was a kid. Dad and us kids would go sometimes have to the local lake and break the ice for the ducks. It was rare, but sometimes the ducks didn't keep it open. Thanks for sharing!
Glad you liked it.
Looks cold! Love the work. Love seeing glimpses of home. From Meteghan on the Bay of Fundy (now in Florida). Will definitely take a road trip to see your shop when I (hopefully) get back this summer.
I think we will be back to some sort of normal this summer. It has not been too bad in Nova Scotia, unless you needed some sort of medical procedure, no beds in hospitals. 58F today and snow for 36 hours starting tomorrow. Stay safe.
I am a big fan of your artwork.
Watching from Surrey in England. Going to have to buy some. Loved the diamond finished!
Thanks. I have had Carpel tunnel surgery on both hands so these tools help.
I have wanted to know how you do this. You are so very experienced and talented and a great teacher. How kind of you to share your talents with us. This is something that some day I want to do. I need a lot more experience with basic carving first.
Keep trying new things.
I keep on watching your instructing videos and creative and delicate pieces from a small village in the North of Seville (Spain). I'm surrounded by mountains full of holm oaks, brown cows and fat pigs fed with accorns to get delicious barly salted ham. And while I work as a teacher on weekdays and look after my ill mother and sister at weekends I watch your soothing videos and I daydream of setting up my own clay studio but I can not devise where nor when. Keep on leading the track. Thank you, Mr Smith.
Keep the dream alive and go for it. We have to prioritize what is important to us. Stay safe.
only a truly great artist can make it up as they go along!!!!!!
Thanks that is a nice compliment.
You always give us so much content and go into such detail. What skill you have in carving the tile and mugs. Thank you for giving us such good lessons and explaining your thoughts and why you are doing doing things a certain way. The mugs turned out great and it will be interesting to see how the glaze flows on each.
Thanks, the finished pieces are at the end of the video.
I got to the point of you saying how cold it was and got interrupted. Thank you for letting me know I missed the last bit. Those mugs are all just beautiful! I love to see the final products! Thank you again for sharing! What inspirations!
Thanks for the review and the insight on carving. I know it's cold in this video but, You just got the second of two brutal nor'easters. I hope everything is well there.
Another noreaster yesterday, brutal winter this year.
Your work is amazing!
Thank you for that nice comment.
A beautiful carved piece!!!
Thanks
You are so kind to take care of the birds. Thank you for your uploads. Your work is fantastic. Happy New Year!
Thank you, the birds make life better.
Thank you so much for sharing. As an aside, you can adjust the angle of the blade for carving by adjusting the screws and also note the non-blade end is also a tool.
Thanks I will be playing with them again this week.
Diamond core does sell the grip separately. They also have one that is bigger.
Nice to know.
You might look at the L3 with the diamond stylus too for your scraffito
Thanks I will.
The finished mugs look terrific with the carved detail. I have 3 of these tools, like them, and also appreciate the fact that the heads can be changed. I could hear your cat breathing beside you! Do you think she has silicosis from being the studio cat? Hope you've warmed up now, although I did see that the East coast was going to have a big snow storm!
Poubelle lived at the house for 10 years and always had the breathing issue, she was found by me in a superfund site in NY state. She was born in a toxic waste dump. Her lungs were damaged from the gitgo.
She is hunting in the great beyond now. The vet thinks she had lung cancer. My studio cats are usually from the house, we take them to the studio near their end so they do not get picked on by the other house cats. It is their retirement care home.
@@Vsmithpots so hard when our pets come to the end of life, I’m sorry to hear she’s died. What a lovely life you gave her.
@@susanvalleauderby2934 Thanks Susan. I have one other geriatric cat at my house who is slowing down. Hopefully he will hang in there. Cats can be mean to other weak and sick cats. May be that is to general a statement. We have one large yellow long hair who was in the Xmas ornament video, he likes to chase other cats. My older cat is not amused.
@@Vsmithpots
I'm so sorry! I always looked forward to seeing her. I lost my beloved Marigold this month too, but we had 17 wonderful years...
@@srkzfan Thanks and sorry for your loss too.
Your carved tiles are beyond beautiful. You are a wonderful artist. How do you keep your tile from warping. Are they low are high fired?
They are bisque fired to 01 and glazed to 04. That way I can fire them with weights on the tile edges to stop them from warping upwards.
Not bad for a lad from Penistone ! nice video mate😀
Thanks Glyn, some days I miss those walks across the moors. Mostly I miss Curry and chips at the Fountain.
Can I ask, why start with brown clay, then add white slip and yellow? Why not black slip over white clay? Also why the yellow layer of slip. I love your work. Beautiful.
Thank you Vaughan for this video. How tall are your mugs before firing? They look awesome !! 17+ inches of snow here in Maine on Sat.
They are about 4-5inches tall
This is a great video Vaughn! I have been wondering for a long time if the Diamond core tools are worth the money. I obviously don’t do such detailed work as you but I do love to do the carvings like on your mugs. They just seem to be extremely expensive. Are there other carving tools that you’ve tried other than the ones you showed that you could suggest for someone like myself? Thanks!
I have lots of carving tools from all sources. They all work fine. My issue is that many are too narrow to hold for long periods. I thicken them with duct tape, rubber bands, anything that helps make them easier to hold. I hope for the expense the diamond core tools last a lot longer too. The Kemper tool is my favourite for fine detail but I wear them out very quickly. Sometimes they only last a month. I have to replace the complete tool. I hope the replacement heads of Diamond Core tools are more economical.
@@Vsmithpots Thank you!
Wonderful! Do you make your own slips? I’ve been wanting to experiment with slips, but I’m stuck teaching myself right now because of COVID and my immune disease. Do you just make a slurry of clay and color it with oxides or mason stains?
I make my own slips. Slip trailing is done just using the regular white B-Mix5. I use Robin Hoppers slip recipes in The book "The Ceramic Spectrum". He has different ones depending on the temperature you fire to.
With those small handled tool…. Buy some polymer clay, like Sculpey and you can build up the handle to whatever is comfortable n bake in a home oven, Also an epoxy clay can be used if you can’t bake the tool
I've been using rubber bands and duct tape.
@@Vsmithpots lol yes I get it, “if it ain’t broke”! But if you ever need a custom tool or just love tools enough you might like making them (like me), perhaps a wide scoring tool, maybe in a pinch n need a special carver with bezel or round wire or perhaps even a custom buck tail pin stripper, it’s just nice to have around the house and studio. Also, because those “clays” must be cured, they don’t dry out
@@deannak1841 I too like making my own tools. I have more tools than anyone can use in one lifetime so I like to modify the ones I have. The Femo clay is nice to make handles, I have a 6 pin scoring tool that I use often.
Beautiful work, about the diamond tools , they are too expensive..
I have a lot of carving tools and they are the most expensive ones in my arsenal. The test will be in how long they last. My Kemper R2 only lasts a week if I carve every day. They are $7 each. We will see if the DC tool lasts 4X as long and then I just replace the head.
@@Vsmithpotswow‼️
Brrrrrr….looks to cold for this Arizona desert rat.
-5F one night this week. Feel sorry for the pink skinny legs of those seagulls.
Too bad everyone is a salesman today. And videos are just long ads for tools.
That is why I said No to the other offers I have had for free stuff to use in the studio, also refusing youtube offers to monetize my channel by allowing ads on it. I have been interested in these tools but never bought any because of the price. They seemed over priced. Now that I have tried them I can see how sharp they are, even for trimming leather hard clay they shave off layers so accurately and do not grab the clay. My longevity test will take awhile to discover their lasting qualities. I love the Kemper tool I use for detailed carving but I wear one out a week, you cannot replace the worn out head so I throw away the whole tool, handle and all. I have hopes that the DC tool will last much longer and I can replace the head without any waste. Time will tell.