Scott Simpson on sat 13 nov 99
On Wed, 10 Nov 1999 12:05:23 EST, Jean Lutz wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I've been putting all my scraps and throwing sludge into a large bucket of
>water. When it gets full I take off as much water as I can then use my
>immersion blender to mix it up and get rid of the lumps. At this point it
>becomes the consistency of pudding. No matter how long I let it sit no more
>water comes to the top. So in order to use it I put it onto plaster to dry
>out. This seemed to work fine at first but after a couple of months there
>started to appear a white fuzz like substance all over the plaster when I
>was drying the clay. The fuzz and the plaster have now started to turn a
>gold/brown color in some areas. The fuzz looks a little like salt crystals
>except they are like powder when wiped off. There doesn't seem to be any
>odor to it. It makes a terrible mess. On occassion the fuzz also grows on
>the surface of the clay. Is this normal? If not what on earth is it? The
>only thing I can think of is that I have softened water in my studio. Can
>this be the salt from the softened water?
>Jean Lutz
>jlutz@azlink.com
>Scottsdale, AZ
Hi Jean,
The fuzz you are seeing is the result of the evaporation of the chemicals
in the clay you have added or the supplier has added.
Most suppliers add sodium silicate and soda ash to their mixes to make
them defloculate in the mixing process. As most of you can tell by reading
the clayart news about tiny cracks in the hands from drying out.
Those caustic elements will crystalize out through the plaster just like the
molds in poured ceramics. And it is worse there where the solutions are
really pumped up with ash and silicates. Check the PH of your clay and I bet
is running 8.0 or better.
This crystal won't hurt you unless you eat it.
try this site for cracks in you hands. HTTP://www.gemplers.com
the product that is not greasy is Dermanique cream. plus it is orderless!!
Thanks for listening,
Scott Simpson
Texas
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