| Step 1: Choosing your clay - you may prepare | | | | easy to use.Fire clay - can be fired to extremely |
| raw dug up clay or much preferred material for | | | | high temperatures. Has a beige to medium brown |
| consistency purchase commercial clay.Taking into | | | | color when fired. Usually found near coal |
| consideration the temperature needed to turn | | | | seams.China clay - used as glaze with other clay |
| clay into ceramics by way of a kiln, it is important | | | | products. It is considered as primary clay meaning |
| to know the minerals that are present within the | | | | that it has minimal pliability.Ball clay - extremely |
| clay paste. (You can either use a beginner's | | | | flexible, but breaks easy. It has to be combined |
| chemistry set or preferably refer to your local | | | | with other types of clay to maintain its strength, |
| yellow pages for experts in this field.) Keep in | | | | shape and durability. Commonly used for porcelain |
| mind, certain materials need very high | | | | and decorations.Bentonite -Small amounts are |
| temperatures to turn. Please read information on | | | | combined with primary clay such as China clay to |
| firing temperatures for commercially prepared | | | | make it more pliable for molding.Stoneware clay - |
| clays below for an idea of choosing the right | | | | Rare. This is high mixed mineral content which |
| temperature to turn your freshly prepared clay | | | | when fired turns gray to white.Step 2: Your clay |
| into ceramic.- If you prefer to dig up and prepare | | | | is not ready for kneading. (This includes both |
| your own clay, you can follow the guidelines below | | | | freshly dug clay that has been cleaned and |
| for best product:a) Freshly dug up clay will have | | | | commercially bought clay.)a) Place your clay on an |
| impurities such as plant material, stones, insects, | | | | absorbent firm surface for kneading and throwing |
| even air pockets. Let your clay air dry before | | | | the pockets of air out. Take a wire and cut clay |
| breaking it up for cleaning.b) Next, make sure the | | | | in easily handy wedges. Pick up 1 piece of clay at |
| dried clay is in small pebble like pieces. Use a | | | | a time, with cut edge facing you, heartily throw |
| hammer, mortar for grounding these pieces into | | | | or slam clay on bench to remove pockets of air. |
| powder. To get the right consistency for the next | | | | (It is extremely important that no air pockets are |
| step, make sure to weight your powders in a | | | | present in the clay so as to prevent explosions, |
| plastic bag and set aside.c) Third, Get a bowl, pure | | | | or other mishaps that can occur if clay is firing in |
| the powdered clay in bowl and slowly pour water | | | | kilm.) Continue to knead, slam and pivot clay until |
| to form a paste. Use a wooden spatula to knead. | | | | all sides of clay are thoroughly kneaded. Repeat |
| If the powder floats or does not seem to mix | | | | about 10 times or more to be sure. As a check |
| with the water, let it set for a while before | | | | at the end of kneading, use your wire and cut the |
| kneading again. Remember it must form a thick | | | | clay in half. Take a look to make sure the surface |
| paste. If it does not, possibly too much water | | | | is completely smooth. It should not have bumps, |
| was added or not enough powdered clay.d) | | | | lumps, or wholes. It should be absolutely |
| Fourth, the cleaning process is about to begin. | | | | smooth.b) Use a damp sponge and wet your |
| Press your clay paste through the your 80-mesh | | | | pottery wheel lightly so that your clay will adhere |
| sieve to remove all impurities.e) Place your | | | | but not slip.c) Next, slam a ball in the center of |
| cleaned clay onto to a plaster bat and smooth. | | | | the wheel. With both hands lightly on clay use |
| The clay will begin to harden, you will need to | | | | forward and backward motions to see if clay is |
| move the paste around frequently to prevent | | | | sticking to the wheel. If the clay is slipping or |
| hardening.f) Using a strong flat stick remove the | | | | sloshy, wipe moisture off wheel. Turn wheel on or |
| stiff clay from the plaster bat by peeling it off. | | | | begin kicking wheel. Place both hands steadily on |
| Now you can knead your clay for modeling and | | | | either side of clay and begin pushing inward slightly |
| firing.- If you prefer to purchase your clay it will | | | | and upward. The clay will resemble a cone.d) At |
| come in the following form to choose from:a) | | | | the top of the cone, use your thumb to flatten |
| Earthenware - red or white (kiln fires from 1830 | | | | and eventually use one hand;makes sure the |
| to 2160 degrees Farenheit);b) Stoneware - beige | | | | other hand supports the sides of the clay. While |
| to white (kiln fires from 2190 to 2370 degrees | | | | the wheel is turning, use 3 fingers with the flat |
| Farenheit);c) Porcelain - white (kiln fires from 2340 | | | | hand at the top middle of the cone to form a |
| to 2460 degrees Farenheit);d) Grogged | | | | pocket. Remember to keep supporting the sides. |
| stoneware - slate (kiln fires from 2190 to 2340 | | | | You will see a bowl forming. Now both your |
| degrees Farenheit);e) Raku body - slate (kiln fires | | | | creative hand on top or by now in the middle of |
| from 1830 to 2340 degrees Farenheit); orf) T | | | | the bowl and on the side hand are working in |
| Material - cream color (kiln fires from 1830 to | | | | unity. How you wish your bowl to appear is part |
| 2370 degrees Farenheit);Unfired clay is quite | | | | of the creative process.When done, use wire to |
| flexible. By kneading and handling it you can | | | | remove clay bowl from wheel and place on drying |
| determine what that lump of clay is best suited in | | | | rack. When bowl is completely dry it is now ready |
| making. Look for shrinkage rate, and strength to | | | | for the kiln.By: Marjorie Broodie aka owner of |
| determine durability.Primary clay is extremely pure | | | | Family Business aka jewelscorner.org. We |
| however it is not very pliable.As an FYI, there are | | | | specialize in Indoor and Garden Water Fountains, |
| about 6 types of clay:Red clay - very common to | | | | Scented Candles, various Aromatherapy products |
| find. Its high iron oxide mineral content gives the | | | | at below retail price. We provide FREE shipping |
| clay its rich red color as well as makes it very | | | | and handling via UPS Ground Service. |