The monthly roundup from Editor-in-Chief Susan Sutton.
I recently ran across an
article* about a study that found that people who are more stressed out can
have a higher risk of developing dementia. Not fair! I’ve often said I’m so
stressed I feel like I’m losing my mind, but sheesh. I
thought I was exaggerating. Not to mention the fact that
reading about the study only served to make me even more stressed by giving me
yet one more thing to worry about.
The world’s ongoing problematic economic
state is causing a lot of us to experience a consistently elevated baseline
stress level, which (for me, at least) can make the “small stuff” we’re not
supposed to sweat take on unnecessary weight. For example, yesterday I had a
run-in with my stapler. It honestly took me 15 minutes to remove the jam in the
stapler, and I was
this
close
to chucking it out the window. I actually had to take a deep breath and remind
myself that the stapler was an inanimate object that could not understand my
ranting and raving.
We’ve got several articles in this issue
that will hopefully help keep your stress level in line. A new semi-processed
borate has been developed that can eliminate the use of frits in floor and wall
tile glazes while providing similar characteristics (see “Fritless Tile
Glazes”). Another article details the refining process for precious metals and
provides manufacturers and decorators with tips to help increase their
recycling income (see “Precious Metal Refining”). And “Custom Fusion &
Milling” offers refractories and ceramic manufacturers insight regarding the
benefits of working with a fused mineral specialist.
One element of manufacturing that unfortunately often causes increased stress
is government regulation, and the newly enacted Consumer Product Safety
Improvement Act (CPSIA) is surely no exception. Read “Understanding the CPSIA”
for an overview, and “Testing Compliance” for additional details regarding lead
testing issues.
PPP Sourcebook
Our
fourth annual
Pottery
Production Practices Sourcebook also accompanies this issue for
select subscribers. Features in this special supplement include a profile of
Holmes County Pottery, advice on dealing with galleries, and suggestions for
using technology and marketing to expand your business. Additional articles
discuss studio/workspace air quality, kiln venting and using microwave ovens to
fuse glass. This issue also includes a great book review and a sneak peek of
next month’s National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) annual conference.
In addition, the Supplier Index includes contact information for companies that
sell into the pottery and glass markets. The Ceramic Supplier Directory
provides details regarding each supplier’s product offerings in an easy-to-read
chart format, while the new Glass Supplier Directory breaks out glass-related
offerings for your convenience.† Be sure to visit the
Sourcebook online at
www.ceramicindustry.com/PPPsourcebook
for spec sheets, direct links to supplier websites and more.
If you have suggestions for next year’s
PPP Sourcebook (or regular issues of
CI), please don’t hesitate to contact me at
suttons@bnpmedia.com.
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