Mitzi's Functional Ware House
  • Home
  • About
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Portfolio
    • ON THE FARM
    • IN THE CLOUDS
    • CAGED SERIES
    • INTO THE WOODS
    • 2012
    • OLDER WORK
  • Contact

Thoughts on my studio, art, and clay

Ceramic Humidifier

3/3/2017

4 Comments

 
One of the first projects I tackled in this residency was designing and producing a commissioned ceramic humidifier for a close friend. Being very foreign to older types of radiators (and let's be honest, new ones too), I had no idea the type of heat they could produce until I visited Chicago for the first time during the New Year. Having multiple radiators in a 500-600 ft space creates a lot of dryness. (I was amazed at how quickly the dishes dried after hand washing.) So, my friend requested a more natural solution to her humidifying needs. 
Picture
Radiator Humidifiers .com
There is a slim market on this type of design, so I was excited by the challenge.  We originally found humidifiers of a more victorian/antique design, but with what we believed to be a better function than the more modern designed ones. My goal was to keep the volume and fit against the radiator of the one pictured left, but give it my own interpretation. 

Ceramic humidifiers work by being heated by the radiator and producing steam to increase the relative humidity indoors during the winter. For human health and comfort, various sources (aka quick Google search) confirmed that the humidity should range between 30-50%.
Ceramic humidifiers are also incredibly low maintenance versus electronic ones and last indefinitely barring any breakage. The only maintenance would be refilling and making sure there is no bacteria build up inside the vessel. A few drops of tea tree oil and/or vinegar in the water should do the trick in eliminating any build up, but it might not be necessary with everyone's water supply. 

During the warmer months, I wanted the humidifier to double as a vase, so I included a handle for easy transport and a removable hanging hook  for table top placement. Users need to make sure the vase is on a secure, flat surface where hands or paws won't knock it over. The tapered base is more stable with liquids inside, and I've included the ridge along the mouth of the vase to prevent any spills, but accidents do happen.
Picture
Turquoise Humidifier
Picture
Gray Humidifier
I'm really quite pleased with the final look of the turquoise humidifiers. My test with my gray casting slip and glaze combo did not come out as I wanted, but I think adding daffodils to anything can make it lovely. I'm going to do some more tests with these guys and see what I can come up with. Here is a slideshow of my mold making process. This can give you an idea of my thoughts while constructing the prototype and mold. Enjoy!
4 Comments
Amy L
10/27/2018 05:48:13 pm

Did you end up making these evaporative humidifiers? We're looking for some!

Reply
Moira Knutson
3/10/2020 12:03:00 pm

I'm looking for some radiator humidifiers, yours look very interesting! Do you sell them?

Reply
Jess Ensminger
12/28/2020 03:50:35 pm

I'm also looking to purchase some radiator humidifiers. Let me know if you are selling some.
Thanks!

Reply
Martin link
1/14/2021 09:57:30 am

Great rreading your post

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    ​Author

    Mitzi Davis, ceramic artist and owner of MFWH

    My Old Blog Still Exists!

    Lots of ceramic arts techniques and processes that I use in my studio can be found in my old blog site.  Click on the button below to head that way!
    Old blog

    Subscribe to my mailing list

    * indicates required

    Archives

    March 2017
    December 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

HOME
EVENTS
ABOUT
BLOG
PORTFOLIO
CONTACT

Join me through social media:

Original content copyright © 2015 Mitzi Davis. All rights reserved.

  • Home
  • About
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Portfolio
    • ON THE FARM
    • IN THE CLOUDS
    • CAGED SERIES
    • INTO THE WOODS
    • 2012
    • OLDER WORK
  • Contact