COMMENT |

Potters Note:

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME: Dr. Karl Folkers, PH.D. has received the
American Chemical Society's highest award for 1956 for his
research linking Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with a severe deficiency
of Vitamin B6, Even though the symptoms, weekness, numbness,
pain, impaired function, originates in the wrist, they can oceur
in other parts of the body. Until now survey has been the only
treatment open to chronic sufferers and it feils in 70% of cases,
In his initial study, Dr. Folkers treated half the participants
with a B6 supplements for six weeks, the other half with a
placebo. However, says Dr. Folkers, six weeks was not enough
time for the vitamin supplement to take effect, When he extended
the treatment to 12 weeks, the B6 users got complete relief from
their pain, Those results have been confirmed in numerous
Similar studies here in Europe.

Remember, large doses of some vitamins may be toxic. If you'd

like to try Vitamin B6é to help a wrist problem you have, or to
prevent one in fhe future, you had best check fhis owt with your
doctor.

Saidye Bronfman Award Will Continue

Tie Annual $20,000 Saidye Bronfman Award for Excellence in the
erafts will continue for the next decade. This announcement was
made at CCc's Conference '86 in Vancouver, by John Hobday,
Executive Director of the Samuel and Saidye Bronfman Family
Foundation,

Deadline for receipt of nominations and relevant documentation
for the 1987 Award for Excellence in Crafts is April ist, 1987.
Toe Award wae created in 1977 hy the Bronfman Family te honor
tneir mother on her 80th birthday. It is administered by the
Canadian Crafts Council.

HINTS

A HANDY SHRINKAGE FORMULA: To determine in advance the finished
glze of a ceramic object after fired shrinkaygs, (for instance, a
12 inch plate), first determine the percent of shrinkage for your
clay -- thirteen percent (0.13) is typical of porcelain.

Subtract this from unity: 1:00 - 0.13 = 0.87. Divide the
shrinkage factor into the finished size you wish to obtain: 12
divided by 6.87 = 73.79. This answer is the diameter which must
be thrown to @nd up with a 12 inch plate when using clay with
thirteen percent shrinkage. (More or less! Has anyone ever
found shrinkage to behave according to the rules? Other factors,
such as horizontal versus vertical, soft, wet clay versus hard,
drying time, and throwing technique can affect it as well, but
this is a qood place te start.) (From Oregon Potters: Association
Newsletter, October, 1586)

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