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Meowyjsmokes

Reclaiming Clay question (self.pottery)

submitted 1 year ago by WeeSheep to c/pottery

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I have a lot of dry clay I have saved to reuse. Most of it is in smaller pieces, I'm working my way to making it into powder. I'm thinking of getting a rock tumbler to make small batches of powder since most of the pieces are pretty small anyway.

Currently, i put the powder and sometimes granules into a bucket and pour white vinegar and very hot water over it, sometimes mixing immediately sometimes waiting for it to cool. I always let it rehydrate for at least a few days before drying on a plaster board.

Currently I mix the clay by folding and flattening, as this is easier than wedging for me. I'll wedge smaller pieces, but for these larger ones I'll pop the air bubbles and smooth it out. So far it's been ok but I'll sometimes have a bubble I missed until I am nearly done shaping on the wheel.

Does anyone have suggestions for how to decrease the air bubbles trapped from rehydrating? Would a vibrating paint mixer work?

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[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

@ellwall Ooh welcome! 🥳

If you check out the post I was replying to, someone had a question about bubbles in clay that I thought someone here might have an answer to.

(If you can't see it for whatever reason its at https://lemmy.world/post/8470206)

I'm no potter but never turn down the opportunity to learn more about other crafts just in case I take them up one day 😆

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

@thegiddystitcher
Hi, I can’t create an account in Lemmy because captcha is in decipherable. Youtube has videos on stack and slam wedging, ideal for ridding recycle clay of air pockets. They are easy to find. Also, pulverizing the clay creates a lot of clay dust which is unhealthy to breathe. Instead, slake down all the dry clay in a bucket. Then turn out on a a cloth or pillowcase to let the water drain. When it’s no longer sticky, begin wedging.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago

@ellwall Thanks! To be clear I was definitely not asking you to make an account anywhere (that would be extremely demanding of me!). But the two apps talk to each other, it's very clever, so your helpful info will make it to the OP 🙂 Much appreciated!