The clay on the right has more iron oxide as I tried adding some red stoneware clay to it to make it more plastic, but to no avail. I'm not sure how I can improve this body without adding more and more smooth clay. I can throw with it okay, but it's easy to trap air bubbles when kneading.
I made a couple of bottle vases with it yesterday, but I am more pleased with the shape of the one at the front, which was thrown a few days ago.
Great post. I like reading about finding right clay body. I have one commercial clay body that needs to sit a couple of months and a porcelain that I wait to throw when it is mossy. Another way to add plasticity is adding some ball clay. In recycling clay, adding vinegar and a little ball clay helps. I like all three of your bottles. They each have nice form.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Charlene, for the kind words and advice. I'll be recycling plenty of this clay, so I'll try the things you suggest. I'd never heard of adding vinegar before!
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