Dave Lyons on thu 29 apr 10
Dear Clayart Folks,
Larry Kruzan told me about a new clay body being developed at Great Lakes
Clay for Larry. His enthusiasm and description of the clay body led me to
make a purchase. I had been using a lot of B-mix from various suppliers bu=
t
was having problems with S cracking and the body becoming limp with a littl=
e
over use. I was a little hesitant with the red color but gave it a try.
The results have been great. On the wheel it handles much like B-mix but
retains its strength well. I've been able to throw very thin in
relationship to the other clay bodies I've used. The trimming process is a
pleasure. I had zero S cracking with the first bisque and glaze firings.
The glazes seem to take a better color with the red clay body. I use MC6G
glazes mostly and the glazes seem to have fewer flaws and better color. In
all, I'll be using Fox River Red as a permanent replacement for B-mix. I'm
still casting about for a white clay body for projects that require white i=
f
anyone has a suggestion.
As a disclaimer I have no financial interest in the Fox River Red or Great
Lakes Clay. Fox River Red is not in the Great Lakes Clay catalog as yet;
ask about it if you want to try it.
Dave Lyons
The New Pittsville Pottery
Julie Brooks on tue 1 jun 10
Hello All,
Just wanted to chime in about the troubles claimed to be caused by B-Mi=
=3D
x...
The first thought. Several suppliers where mentioned which leads me to=
=3D
ask..are you using genuine Laguna B-Mix WC-379 or Laguna B-Mix 401 or a
whanna B-Mix copy (since there are so many copies these days). If you ha=
=3D
ve
a specific problem with a Laguna Clay Company product, please send your
contact info, an explanation, and the batch number and photos to
info@lagunaclay.com. Your complaint will be shuttled to the correct
department and we will be happy to help.
If the forms you make require more green strength try our B-Mix with fi=
=3D
ne
Grog at cone 5, WC 436 or at cone 10, WC893.
Lastly, sometimes as a potters strength increases, a great deal of
stretching happens as the clay is forcefully opened. Compressions across=
=3D
the foot toward the center are needed to release the body memory.=3D20
Thanks,
Julie Brooks
Larry Kruzan on wed 2 jun 10
Hi Julie,
Thanks for the input. I'd like to say that I don't think that anyone has =
=3D
complained about Fox River Red having problems. I think that it was =3D
compared to B-mix as far as throwing, texture and feel but it's not =3D
b-mix.=3D20
I have used a couple tons of it as have several other potters with =3D
wonderful results. As with any very smooth clay body, compression of the =
=3D
bottom is essential as with B-mix, porcelain and many other clay types. =3D
The small amount of time spent compressing the bottom of a pot is greatly =
=3D
offset by the wonderful characteristics of Fox River Red by Great Lakes =3D
Clay.=3D20
The rich color of the body responds to most iron hungry glazes like =3D
Floating Blue, Waterfall Brown, SCM Orange, Bailey's Red and so many =3D
others rendering them in richer colors than on white bodies.
In the way of a disclaimer, I was the potter who asked for help from Great =
=3D
Lakes Clay when I was seeking a clay body that had the properties of Fox =
=3D
River Red Clay. The Good folks there (Tim, Al, Stephanie and the rest) did =
=3D
lots of testing and sent me lots of samples as we looked for just the =3D
right balance of properties.=3D20
I fire cone 6 to a hard cone 9 and needed (wanted) a clay that would =3D
handle that range on ware that can be very thin at times and sculptural =3D
work that can be very thick. Plus it had to handle the glazes I work with =
=3D
without washing them out like a white body can. I hate seeing white clay =
=3D
breaking through the glaze on edges. Fox River Red turns a very nice brown =
=3D
or gold where it breaks.=3D20
In the end they came up with just the clay I had been looking for - Fox =3D
River Red.
This was and is my sole interest in the whole business side of it. I get =
=3D
to buy a wonderful clay body that meets all my needs - wide firing range, =
=3D
great deep color in oxidation and super dark in reduction, VERY smooth =3D
(yes Mel - baby poo smooth :O) that I can throw very thin. It's a real joy =
=3D
to throw, very fast forming.=3D20
I'm sure the Laguna B-mix are nice but I tried them and they just were not =
=3D
what I was looking for.
I am not paid by GLC - Tim can't afford me. I get no payment for =3D
plugging it either. Call them up and try it for yourself.
Larry Kruzan
Lost Creek Pottery
www.lostcreekpottery.com
-----Orininal Message-----
From: Clayart =3D5Bmailto:Clayart=3D40LSV.CERAMICS.ORG=3D5D On Behalf Of Ju=
lie =3D
Brooks
Sent: Tuesday, June 01, 2010 1:56 PM
To: Clayart=3D40LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Re: Fox River Red Clay Body Review
Hello All,
Just wanted to chime in about the troubles claimed to be caused by =3D
B-Mix...
The first thought. Several suppliers where mentioned which leads me to
ask..are you using genuine Laguna B-Mix WC-379 or Laguna B-Mix 401 or a
whanna B-Mix copy (since there are so many copies these days). If you have
a specific problem with a Laguna Clay Company product, please send your
contact info, an explanation, and the batch number and photos to
info=3D40lagunaclay.com. Your complaint will be shuttled to the correct
department and we will be happy to help.
If the forms you make require more green strength try our B-Mix with fine
Grog at cone 5, WC 436 or at cone 10, WC893.
Lastly, sometimes as a potters strength increases, a great deal of
stretching happens as the clay is forcefully opened. Compressions across
the foot toward the center are needed to release the body memory.=3D20
Thanks,
Julie Brooks
=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D
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