Clay is frequently beneath our feet, whether or not we are aware of it. It leads to a slightly serpentine way of thinking about its vast abundance. Consider for a moment that we take for granted the majority of modern vessels (cups, mugs, jugs, and bowls).
Do you see the connection? Clay equals container in the most elementary of equations. It is a good material for the creation of ceramics that may be used for drinking and eating.
In the modern world, we can get our favorite coffee mug at the shop for only a dollar or two, only to discard it when it breaks.
Unfortunately, there is little creativity involved in doing so. To appreciate the actual significance and beauty of extracting clay and experimenting with pottery-making, one must travel back in time. Or dig a hole. whatever is simpler.
Why we use clay?
Long, long ago, before the Neolithic period, humans scraped raw clay from the earth to make their own earthenware pots, a skill that many of us no longer possess.
It may have been somewhat unrefined and unpredictable during burning, but it could be fashioned into vessels of diverse shapes and sizes, ideal for keeping a variety of items.
Best of all, the pottery was handcrafted with materials gathered from the surrounding area. If you yearn for the good old days, you may easily relive them by harvesting your own clay. And get your hands exquisitely soiled in the interim! You might also do this to strengthen your relationship with the earth and create something helpful in exchange.
Therefore, unearth some clay and prepare to utilize your creative side once more. It is an ideal pastime for people of all ages!
Earthenware pottery
Clay-made pottery is divided into three major categories:
- earthenware is clay burned at relatively low temperatures, between 1,000 and 1,150 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Porcelain is created by firing fine kaolin clay at temperatures between 2,200 and 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit in a kiln.
- Stoneware is a nonporous ceramic cooked to between 2,150 and 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit that is harder than earthenware but less polished than porcelain.
Even in an open fire pit, earthenware can be burnt at very low temperatures (600-1,200 °C), making it the most primitive form of pottery. It can be fully functional without a glaze, although it may not be watertight.
There will be shades of brown, reddish-orange, yellow, and even gray. Terracotta is likely the most familiar earthenware pottery you have encountered.
| Types OF Clay | Durability | Clay Fired Temperature |
| Earthenware Clay | Low Durability | 1000 to 1,150 °C |
| Porcelain Clay | High Durability | 1305 to 1346 °C |
| Stoneware Clay | high durability | 1240 to 1300 °C |
Places to discover clay
With clay on your mind, do you know where to begin your local search?
To locate clay, search for indications of areas where water does not drain efficiently. Or when the soil has become eroded due to drought.
You could also look for clay in:
- tributaries and riverbanks
- under the topsoil
- construction sites (where the soil has been dug deeper)
Before removing any clay from land you do not own, you must obtain written authorization from the landowner or manager of the construction site. Never remove soil/clay from National and State Parks or areas where you could potentially harm the environment.
Enjoy the hunt for various sorts of clay while adhering to the basic guidelines of foraging.
Different Types of clay
First, you will note that clay comes in a variety of colors. If you are fortunate enough to live in a region where clay is used for natural building, elders may frequently provide you with knowledge on where to obtain and gather clay for your own purposes. They may even provide helpful usage instructions.
Some clays are better for mending ovens than others, some are preferable when used to plaster mixtures, while other pure clay sources can be utilized for cosmetics, poultices, and ingesting its benefits (eating or drinking). Indeed, we occasionally consume clay.
Refining your dry clay
Once you’ve discovered a good source of clay, the first thing to consider is its moisture content. Secondly, select whether you will use dry processing or wet processing for your clay. Each has advantages and time limits.
In the majority of cases, the output of dry processing is workable while being considerably less polished and far quicker. Again, the amount of clay processing required depends on the desired outcome. A rustic cup or bowl as opposed to a beautiful plaster?
To begin began, the clay must be totally dried out. You may accomplish this by simply allowing clay chunks to dry in the sun or near a fire.
Finally, to ensure that even the interiors are dry, continue to crush the pieces (globs of clay) with a hammer until they grow smaller and smaller.
Once in powder form, you can sieve out organic matter pieces (stones, roots, contaminants, etc.) to make it as pure as your time and energy allow. Keep in mind that you may need to add materials, such as sand, to the clay later to make it tougher and more resistant to cracking. The objective is to transform the clay into a powder that can be rehydrated as necessary
Wet processing of clay
In addition to dry processing — crushing, sifting, and pulverizing – it is also possible to wet process clay. This procedure is also known as wet extraction.
This is the method that requires more time, but is considerably easier on the muscles. Allow the clay and water to do the work for you.
Get your test soil and fill 1/3 of a container with this “possible clay” Pour water to the brim, roll up your sleeves, and prepare to immerse yourself in a clay slip. Break up the clumps with your hands, squishing the mud between your fingers, and allow the mixture to rest for several hours.
You will be able to witness a separation of layers if you use a glass container, which is highly suggested for beginners.
Water on top, followed by clay, and then sediment on the bottom.
Gently drain the water, and then pour the clay layer into a fresh bucket. Do not introduce particles into your clay slip; stop pouring if this occurs!
How to turn mud into pottery?
Without a kiln and much hands-on expertise, it is difficult to predict the outcome of firing your rustic earthenware pottery.
Your ultimate success also depends on whether or not you’ve tempered your clay. Temper is a substance that is applied to clay to keep it from breaking and shrinking when exposed to high or fluctuating temperatures. This could be sand, finely crushed rocks, or shattered pottery from previous firings.
Obviously, not having a kiln does not preclude you from firing your goods, either experimentally (alone) or experientially (under the guidance of someone more adept). You simply need access to land for excavating a sufficiently sized pit (your primitive kiln), and you must do so when there is no fire ban in effect.
This is definitely something to add to our future self-sufficient homesteading skillset as we are still in the greenware-making phase.
Why we use clay?
Long, long ago, before the Neolithic period, humans scraped raw clay from the earth to make their own earthenware pots, a skill that many of us no longer possess.
It may have been somewhat unrefined and unpredictable during burning, but it could be fashioned into vessels of diverse shapes and sizes, ideal for keeping a variety of items.
How to turn mud into pottery?
Without a kiln and much hands-on expertise, it is difficult to predict the outcome of firing your rustic earthenware pottery.
Your ultimate success also depends on whether or not you’ve tempered your clay. Temper is a substance that is applied to clay to keep it from breaking and shrinking when exposed to high or fluctuating temperatures. This could be sand, finely crushed rocks, or shattered pottery from previous firings.