Martin Butt on thu 9 jan 97
On Sun, Jan. 5 Pauline Monson wrote:
up to this kind of treatment, that the manufacturer basically adds mica for a
decorative surface, and that it lacks the thermal shock resistance of the
true micaceous clay. I have not tried it and cannot verify whether this is
so or not. Be forewarned!>
I am one of the manufacturers of mica clays referred to, and without
rehashing the
argument I had with Felipe over what makes a clay "truly micaceous" other
than having mica in it, I would like to comment on commercially prepared mica
clays. There are a couple claymakers I know of that do take a stock body and
add mica flake, in the neighborhood of ten percent, to obtain a sparkly
surface effect. There is a local company that does this with good results,
and at a very reasonable price. The micaceous clays I have formulated,
particularly Coyote Mica #5, represent more of an attempt to approximate the
clay traditionally dug in the Taos Pueblo area. This body is more than forty
percent mica and fifteen percent pumice, both from northern New Mexico, and
has a beautiful orange color and surface sheen reminiscent of the native
clay. Although not marketed as flameware, the large percentage of mica and
pumice does give this body excellent thermal shock resistance. This
formulation makes the clay more expensive than most, but still cheaper by far
than the hand dug variety. I certainly don't mean to imply that this clay is
identical to that used by Felipe; only that commercially prepared mica clays
can be a successful alternative to hand dug clay, an alternative that makes
micaceous clay accessible to any potter that wants to try it.
Martin Butt
Former Owner, Porcelain & Stoneware Supply Co.
Director, Coyote Craft School
Alb. NM (505) 344-2250 (505) 265-8604
email Martinb888@aol.com
Visit our web page at http://members.aol.com/martinb888/page1,htm
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