How to Mix Basic Clay
Pottery making has grown in popularity over the last several years. More and more individuals have begun to create beautiful pieces of pottery in their homes. Many have established pottery shops in their garages, basements and spare rooms. Most potters mix their own clay before beginning projects. In the following, you will find some general instructions for mixing basic clay for your projects at home.
Always thoroughly read the mixing directions for your clay. Once you have added the proper amount of water, allow the material to sit in bucket for soaking.
Following soaking, you should completely mix in order to even out the materials. You want any dry materials to be mixed well. Try using a churning motion in order to get rid of all lumps. A much easier way to do this is to use a drill with a paddle mixer.
Mix material until it is of a consistency that resembles cake frosting. It will not be a usable or solid form. Most generally additional water is added in order to rid it of lumps and dry pockets.
Mixture can be slaked out onto plaster bats in order to help get rid of excessive moisture.
Place mixture on plaster bats in about three inch thickness. Plaster bats are porous and pull moisture out of the mixture. Once moisture is pulled from mixture, it will become of a workable consistency.
After clay is a workable consistency, it will still need to be further worked. This will make sure that there are no lumps or pockets of air or mix. Any of these will cause defects and failures in projects.
