Gary Huddleston on mon 20 jul 98
I want to explore the ancient art of pottery making by digging
my own clay (for high fire wood kilns), making my own kiln
bricks, and formulating ash glazes. I am retiring to the
mountains of rural central Mexico, and commercial clays
will not be available, nor will refined minerals and other
chemicals. Measuring by volumn will be the rule. How do
I identify suitable clays. I understand creek beds and washouts
are a good place to start looking.
Any small bits of information will be helpful. Or recommendations
for text readings. I have several issues of Ceramics Monthly which
deal with Ash glazes, but I would like to hear from someone
who works with this type of glaze often and successfully.
David Hendley on tue 21 jul 98
Two books you absolutely -NEED- :
"Pioneer Pottery" by Michael Cardew
"The Potter's Alternative" by Harry Davis
Both are written for people in your situation, and cover
prospecting, mining, testing, refining, building equipment, etc.
Unfortunately, I think both are out of print, but you should
be able to find copies if you work at it.
David Hendley
Maydelle, Texas
At 09:49 PM 7/20/98 PDT, you wrote:
>I want to explore the ancient art of pottery making by digging
> my own clay (for high fire wood kilns), making my own kiln
> bricks, and formulating ash glazes. I am retiring to the
>mountains of rural central Mexico, and commercial clays
>will not be available, nor will refined minerals and other
>chemicals. Measuring by volumn will be the rule. How do
>I identify suitable clays. I understand creek beds and washouts
>are a good place to start looking.
>Any small bits of information will be helpful. Or recommendations
>for text readings. I have several issues of Ceramics Monthly which
>deal with Ash glazes, but I would like to hear from someone
>who works with this type of glaze often and successfully.
>
Don Prey on tue 21 jul 98
In a message dated 07/21/98 12:12:44 AM, you wrote:
<
for text readings.>>
I can refer you to two books from my library:
Glazes from Natural Sources, by Brian Sutherland, 1987, ISBN 0 7134 4204 2.
and Clay Sedimentology by Herve Chamley, 1989, ISNB 3-387-50889-9. The clay
book is highly technical and not directed at pottery making.
Don Prey In Oregon
Earl Brunner on tue 21 jul 98
If you can, find a copy of Michael Cardew's book, Pioneer Pottery . It is
invaluable for non-technological situations, even down to making and firing
your kiln bricks.
D. McDysan on tue 21 jul 98
If you plan on doing any digging in Mexico - beware that the authorities
don't mistake your quest for dirt as a quest for artifacts. A friend who
lives in Mexico called me in a panic last year because her friend ( an
American) was in jail on illegal excavation charges. Apparently the
friend had hooked up with some Mexican nationals to go on a dig to find
mayan artifacts. They claimed to have an archeological permit from
Mexico City but the local federales failed to recognize the authenticity
of the document. The group was hauled off to jail accused of stealing
government property. I don't know if they actually found anything but
they spent a week in the slammer until a lawyer convinced the judge of
their innocence.
I know that you won't be looking for national treasures only some cool
clay to use for pottery but I'd hate to have any of our clay buddies get
in trouble or god forbid go to jail.
Take care and beware!
Debbie McDysan
in Texas where we're not using our kilns anymore because outside
temperatures are turning us all to stoneware.
dmcdysan@onramp.net
Pamela & Evan Kohler-Camp on tue 21 jul 98
Congats Gary!
Be sure to take your computer and modem! Happy explorations!
Pamela
At 09:49 PM 7/20/1998 PDT, you wrote:
>I want to explore the ancient art of pottery making by digging
> my own clay (for high fire wood kilns), making my own kiln
> bricks, and formulating ash glazes. I am retiring to the
>mountains of rural central Mexico, and commercial clays
>will not be available, nor will refined minerals and other
>chemicals. Measuring by volumn will be the rule. How do
>I identify suitable clays. I understand creek beds and washouts
>are a good place to start looking.
>Any small bits of information will be helpful. Or recommendations
>for text readings. I have several issues of Ceramics Monthly which
>deal with Ash glazes, but I would like to hear from someone
>who works with this type of glaze often and successfully.
>
June Perry on tue 21 jul 98
Check with the local Bureau of Land Management. They should have maps of the
geology of the area which shows clay deposits, etc. In fact, you might even
check on line.
Recently a friend told me of finding what he thought was porcelain in a mine
shaft in our area and I got on line and wrote to the government and they sent
me a list of possible reading material. And I later found that there was a
porcelain source and factory in those same mountains. The geologist also told
me that a local college has a lot of the material of the geology and history
of our area, which I have yet to check out. Still haven't found the old
porcelain factory site and my friend has moved to Eugene. But one of these
days when he comes back down, I'm going to beg him to take me to that area.
So do your research and then test, test, test. I once took some plan dirt from
behind my house in Montecito, California and it made the most beautiful
buttery matt charcoal brown glaze. Who would have thought that you could get
that from backyard dirt!
We have a local road cut that has what looks like terra cotta clay. I need to
get some and test it as a glaze. Sometimes those red clays make great cone 9-
10 brown glazes all by themselves.
Also check with some local farmers and ranchers. They could be a good source
of info as well as material.
Good luck!
June
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