Lili Krakowski on tue 26 oct 10
Albany slip was one of many surface clays that worked wonderfully as =3D
glazes-by-themselves at high temps, and as glaze ingredients at lower =3D
temps. And if I remember Parmelee correctly (my copy is around here =3D
somewhere....) it never crazed. (Which is more than can be said for =3D
most of us). But Albany slip is not irreplaceable. There is nothing =3D
unique about it...It was what it was, there are other similar clays =3D
around. I have not tested the Alberta slip I have, probably should, but =
=3D
it too is "mortal". Wherever in Alberta it comes from, will no doubt be =
=3D
paved over...
As I wrote last week, substitutes for it can be made with RedArt and I =3D
am sure other similar red clays. You may have a potential replacement =3D
in your own backyard. If you do: dry a batch. Pick out big rocks and =3D
branches. And little dead things. Rehydrate with a lot of water and =3D
sieve, finishing with a fine screen to eliminate sand. Test.
What always was tricky is that Albany Slip changed over the years....I =3D
mentioned that already in 1985 when I tested two batches of AS--one from =
=3D
1963 or so, and one twenty years younger.
For those of you with AS still hanging around, I think you have two =3D
choices. Sell it in small batches so that the buyers can make up tests =3D
on which to base further tests using other red clays, or make up one or =
=3D
almighty big batches of your favorite AS glazes using up the AS you =3D
have. =3D20
As to what sales price should be...? To a good home --like a real =3D
pottery school, or the like--handling and shipping costs would do it for =
=3D
me. For potters I know to be serious glaze people, ditto. For anyone =3D
else s/h plus a generous contribution to nearest food bank.
Lili Krakowski
Be of good courage
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