Grimmer on fri 12 sep 97
Hi,
This happened when I was a grad student. (I didn't do it.)
The prof gave the intermediate undergrad class a demo on mixing their
own clay. He gave a perfunctory run-down on all the things people put
into clay bodies to age them faster. Vinegar, stale beer, yoghurt, flour,
old clay, some cultures even urinate in the clay and leave it for the next
generation, et cetera.
The student took it that _ALL_ these things should be added to a batch
of clay. She mixed a 100 lb batch and added a cup of yoghurt (plain), a
half can of Old Style (flat), a cup of flour (bleached), a cup of cider
vinegar (apple). I'm not sure if anything was done for future potters. ;^)
Within two days, the clay was a foaming, bloated, slimey mess. The
plastic bags were starting to swell up. The student decided that the clay
just needed to be dried out some, so she spread it all over ALL the plaster
wedging tables in the building. Man, what a stench. It smelled like a
vomitorium must have smelled like in ancient Rome. It really turned your
stomach! We had to drag all the wedging tables out doors to air out for a
long time. That stank really got in to the plaster, too. I bet you could still
smell it today if you put your nose real close.
True story.
steve grimmer
marion illinois
Talbott wrote:
> Would this be the same powder stuff that you add to a septic tank to
> increase the bacterial level? Sounds like a great idea... Would adding
> baker's yeast do the same thing I wonder? ..Marshall
>
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