Moist Clay

more advanced clay techniques

MATERIALS

5 pounds (2.25 kg) clay from art supply store (do not buy oil base clay)

newspaper, plastic covering, or oilcloth to cover table

wooden board or cardboard to work on

plastic wrap or other cloth to keep clay moist while not using

work clothes

optional -

tools such as craft stick, rolling pin, knife, hairpin, hammer, blocks

paint for dry objects

to preserve -

liquid wax, shellac, clear varnish, or colorless nail polish

PROCESS

1. squeeze, roll, flatten, allowing for exploring note: always try to make a clay object from one piece so parts won’t fall off when they dry
2. wet fingers and smooth clay or brush damp sponge over it
3. allow piece to dry at room temperature

To finish -

1. dry
2. dip in liquid wax, paint with shellac, varnish, spray with clear acrylic, or use nail polish

To fire -

1. clay objects should dry slowly to prevent cracking
   definition: greenware
   hint: greenware may be wrapped with a damp cloth to slow the drying process
2. fire to a temperature of at least 1500°F (815°C) in a kiln (caution)
3. hint: work with someone who is familiar with the kiln process glaze can be applied to the fired-once clay
   definition: bisque
   hint: apply glaze with brush, spray, or by dipping
4. if no kiln is available, greenware can be finished by waxing, painting with enamel, shellac, or varnish, or with tempera paint
   hint: if tempera paint is used, protect with plastic spray, varnish, or shellac

HINTS

• moist clay may become moldy or rancid if kept too long while wet in a covered container
• store in two plastic bags, one inside the other
• store in cool place (galvanized garbage can helps)
• if clay becomes too wet, spread it out to dry on an absorbent surface, such as a cloth covered board
• if clay becomes too dry, break it up, smash it, and soak it in a water for one or two days (pour off extra water and treat as clay which is too wet)