INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you notice any bumps on the object that aren't supposed to be there, you may sand them off using 100 grit sandpaper until you create a smooth surface. Be sure to wipe the object afterward with a damp sponge to remove dust created during sanding. If you purchased an object intended for glazing, most if not all imperfections should be removed. When sanding a piece of bisqueware you will create dust which requires the use of a NIOSH approved particulate respirator. Use a wet sanding block or wet/dry sandpaper to avoid creating dust. Let it dry. Before you begin, and whenever the ceramic becomes dirty or you apply too much glaze, wipe with a damp sponge and let it dry before attempting to apply any glaze. Avoid rinsing or dripping excess water onto the ceramic. Use each side of the sponge sparingly to keep it as clean as possible; you may want to have several on hand. Remember, you should reduce the amount of dirt or oil on the ceramic by wearing disposable gloves whenever you handle it. A coating of wax prevents glaze from sticking to the base of the ceramic, where it would "glue" your object to the base of the kiln. For the same reason, apply the wax to the rim where a lid touches, or anywhere else two distinct pieces will touch during firing. While some potters use slightly heated paraffin wax for this purpose, a safer and less smelly option is "wax resist" designed for this purpose at ceramic shops or some art supply stores. You may apply wax resist and apply it with a paint brush. Keep this brush separate from your glazes. Crayons may be rubbed on the object to create a wax coating, but there is a possibility that the colors in the crayon wax end up on your pottery. If you are glazing pottery with children, you may find it easier to skip this step and hot glue the children's glazed objects to a clay disc immediately before firing, in order to catch dripping glaze. You may also simply sponge off any excess glaze from your piece or mask areas with tape or contact paper. A pre-mixed glaze is recommended for your first few projects (at least) due to the safety hazard and difficulties involved in mixing your own glaze. If you do decide to mix a dry glaze powder with water, follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully or your glaze may not achieve the desired characteristics. Always wear a respirator mask to avoid inhaling dry glaze particles, and work outside or in a well-ventilated room. Do not let anyone near the work area without a respirator mask. Gloves and safety goggles are recommended. Purchase the correct respirator and have yourself fit tested wearing that respirator. Many workplaces also recommended that you undergo a pulmonary fit test. While full instructions are not included here due to the variations between different glaze mixes, you will need water, a long stirring spoon, and a hydrometer to test the density, or "specific gravity", of the glaze. It also helps to have a drill mixer (used for mixing paint), a rubber spatula, two containers (sized for the final quantity of glaze), a scale, and a fine mesh sieve 60-120 mesh, depending on your recipe.

SUMMARY: Sand bumps or imperfections off the surface. Wipe the ceramic with a damp sponge before you begin and whenever it gets dirty. Apply wax to the base of your object, and wherever two removable parts meet. If you are mixing your own glazes, follow instructions and safety procedures carefully.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: The cheek piece should measure approximately 11 inches in length between the loop knot you've just formed to the noseband knot you formed at the original center of the rope. Start by loosening the central knot (noseband knot) closest to you and feeding the strand you've been working with through the middle of that knot. This strand will be the left cheek piece. Before you tighten the knot, cross the strand over and then under/behind the cheek piece. This should form a loose overhand knot. Then feed the strand back through the middle and tighten the knot. There should now essentially be a second knot directly against the noseband knot you're working with (also called a double-overhand knot). Begin by loosening the other noseband knot. Take the strand of rope you're working with and feed it through the center of the noseband knot, forming another double-overhand knot. Pull the strand of rope through the center and over the top of the two arches (between the two noseband knots). Feed the strand under and through the access. Then feed the strand through the loop you've just formed and continue through the center of the first simple overhand knot. Adjust the knots as needed to balance the alternate fiador knot and the noseband piece. When everything is in place, tighten the knots. This cheek piece should be approximately 11 inches in length, just like the left cheek piece. Start by forming a simple overhand knot with the strand you're working with. Take the other strand and feed it up through the center of the overhand knot. Then go up, over, and then underneath the loop you've just formed. Then put the end of that strand through the center of the overhand knot. Pull the strands on both ends of the knot to tighten it. Measure both strands of the halter to 27 inches. Cut off any excess rope in the same manner that you cut the rope at the beginning (a sharp blade on a wooden block), and secure the ends in the same way you did after cutting the rope to size. You now have a completed rope halter.

SUMMARY: Form the left cheek piece. Tie the noseband. Create the right cheek piece. Finalize the halter.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Find a person who can hold you accountable to do what you say you are planning on doing, despite how you feel or the doubt you have. Accountability can be as simple as just sending a text daily stating that you accomplished your goal for the day. Sometimes, self-doubt creeps in when you feel incompetent in a certain area. As you work to stop self-doubt, it can help to hone your abilities in key areas of your life. You might do this by joining a professional development organization, taking a certification course, or reading books relating to your industry. Having an ongoing conversation with those around you about your talents and abilities can stop self-doubt in its tracks. Frequently, people avoid discussing areas in their lives in which they feel insecure. When you purposely bring these areas into focus, the self-doubt will gradually disappear. Plus, feedback helps you see both the positive and negative aspects of your abilities. The next time you catch yourself caught in a web of self-doubt, reach out to someone for feedback. For instance, you might say to your partner, "I feel like you are avoiding me. Have I done something wrong?" for chronic self-doubt. Whether your self-doubt is a recent issue or it stems from childhood insecurity, you must reach out for help if it's undermining your goals. A professional therapist will be able to help you see your situation from a different perspective and offer practical tips for overcoming negative thought patterns.

SUMMARY:
Find someone to hold you accountable. Enhance your skills. Seek feedback from others. See a therapist