Robin MacGrogan on tue 2 feb 99
I will appreciate recommendations for a commercially prepared clay body
which emulates high fire reduction. The "speckled" bodies do not appeal to
me. I hope to find something in the orange-brown range which spots
irregularly.
I notice a body advertised by A.R.T. "Orangestone", cone 5. I'll appreciate
comments from anyone who uses this body.
I have fired in reduction for thrity years. I am now in a situation where a
reduction kiln is not possible. I am no longer able to mix my own clay,
which limits things.
My first choice will be a low-fire clay (04). Obtaining the results I hope
for at this temp is unlikely so will move up to cone 5 if necessary. Ok.
Ok. I realize the best solution is to embrace low fire electric. I have
done some work with color at low temps. It's fun but I miss the richness of
the reduction clay, the changes on the edges, the random spots bleeding
through.
Thanks for any suggestions!
pduncan on wed 3 feb 99
I had nothing but heart break from using this clay (orangestone). It is
EXTREMELY sensitive. It is a very low shrinkage clay which makes glaze
fit a challenge. I had a whole load of garden lanterns collapse in a
cone 5 firing. Was a real heart break when I opened then kiln, as a
matter of fact it was more than a month before I attemped to work with
clay again, and that mess is still sitting in the kiln 2 months later!
PS....it doesn't really look like reduction fired clay anyway.
Pam in WI what happened to winter?
Phyllis E. Tilton on fri 5 feb 99
About Orangestone Clay: I have had wonderful results with this clay body. I
use it mainly for outdoor pieces and they have held up well. I make sun
faces--call them sun ladies and they always smile. I have handbuilt large and
small mushrooms, snails, etc. I, also do what I call Moonman-a full face mask
in a crescent moon. One cracked but I rushed the drying so felt it was my
fault. Once I had a piece turn almost black-very unusual-and have not had a
repeat. That was fired at ^6.
I have a friend that made a mailbox with orangestone. It is subjected to all
kinds of weather-freezing and thawing and has held up well. Our local clay co
doesn't stock it anymore because of complaints that it was unreliable so I
order it from A.R.T. I don't glaze it because what I do with it does not
require glaze. Someone said to use Thompson's water sealer-I did that on a few
pieces but usually recommend to people that buy my work to keep it in a
protected place or inside shelter in winter.
Phyllis Tilton
Daisypet@aol.com
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