OWLPOTTER@AOL.COM on sun 15 jul 01
Someone who produces as much work as Tom Wirt needs to own a mixer and
pugmill and produce their own clay body. Yes, it's a lot of work, but it
gives the potter so much more control over the final product.
I have almost always purchased my dry clays directly from the mine by the ton
(they provide me with the same detailed chemical analysis that they provide
their "bigger" customers.) By mixing my own clay, I always know what's in it,
what kind of grog, which feldspar, etc. I am always tweaking my clay body
because basically, clay is dug out of a hole in the ground and no one
actually has 'control' of what is going to be in it.
I have found that it has been unbelievably worthwhile to make my own clay in
lieu of being at the mercy of a wet clay supplier. It doesn't solve every
problem, but it sure gives me more consistent clay with which to work.
-Carolynn Palmer, Somerset Center, Michigan
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