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hurtin' hands

updated mon 28 dec 98

 

Beth J. Leggiere on sat 19 dec 98

This is what works for me. Before throwing, rub in some Bag Balm
(available at feed stores and some garden centers in an attractive green
and pink can). Then, afterwards, apply Corn Huskers lotion. If things
get really bad, i use A & D Diaper cream before bed. My problem is when
I glaze. I do a great deal of painting with glaze (and therefore
handling my bisqueware), and any grease on my hands tends to cause a
resist spot. So I let my hands get really bad when glazing. The dry
surface of the partially glazed bisque seems to pull all moisture out of
whatever they come into contact. Sometimes I where surgical gloves to
glaze, but they get mighty annoying after a while. Doing a show seems
to be the best medicine for my hands! 3 to 5 days not touching anything
but finished work... Oh, and always were gloves when it's cold
outside! Hope this helps

Beth Leggiere
Hoboken,NJ

Reid Harvey on sun 27 dec 98

I am reminded of a tip from a friend of mine who was a mason. At the end
of a day handling concrete mortar he would wash his hands with vinegar.
His hands were as supple as the proverbial baby's toosh. Has this story
already been told?

Here in Africa I have seen plenty of masons who's hands are terribly
cracked. They are stoic, taking it 'manfully.' I don't like to intervene
unless I know the person. Vinegar can be hard to find or expensive.

I do intervene when I see people sucking on fuel lines, under the hoods
of their cars. To undo a vapor lock they'll get a mouth full of
gasoline, before reconnecting the line. I tell them they'll die young if
they continue doing that, and no one will know just why they died. Sad,
but it's a nearly universal practice hereabouts, even among people who
have gone through university.

Sorry about the shocker here. There's a lot of work to be done in this
part of the world, educating people on some of these practices.

Reid Harvey
Abidjan, la Cote d'Ivoire