Archive for January 5th, 2008

To reclaim old hard clay, I cut the hard bricks into little chunks. Please don’t try to throw with hard clay, it’s a good way to get carpal tunnel and very aggravating. I know, I’ve tried.
So I decided to go back to work the other day (I’m starting to have the clay jones), but was rather dismayed at what awaited me in the frigid cold garagio: 300 pounds of frozen clay which is to be expected after a week of sub freezing temps. I promptly brought my clay inside the warm house to defrost - some say it’s more plastic after it’s been frozen. Time will tell. Today is the perfect day to work in the garagio - temps in the mid 50’s - so I’ll keep this post brief to maximize my studio time. Now, maybe your clay isn’t frozen, but is just old hard clay. Read on - this post on reclaiming clay is just for you.

Soak in warm water until it starts to break down.
After draining the clay, put the goopy mess on a plaster bat or wedging table. Once the plaster has absorbed some of the water and it’s workable again, wedge and reuse.
It’s a very simple task involving a little bit of physical work and a good way to be work in the studio on those uninspired days.

Not to worry, the frozen glazes can be reused too. I will just need to defrost them and resieve the glazes a few times when the need arises.

Meanwhile, I went for a little jaunt around the park today and my porcelain snowflake is gone. It was still there 2 days ago, so sometime between then and now someone discovered it. I hope it brings him/her joy!

That’s it for today - I plan on visiting everyone’s blogs tomorrow since I haven’t been very social lately.

Toodles,

~Cynthia

Tags: found art project, frozen clay, reclaim old clay