Mary/Adams on thu 18 aug 05
I am getting a great deal of bubbling of my clay. I'm left handed and so
try to follow the pictures and instructions on how to knead. I generally
knead the 'bulls-head' method for about 50 strokes. Then I cut the piece in
half and slam it together and then wedge a few times. Then I knead spiral
for 50 more strokes. What in the world could the bubbling be caused by.
Any help appreciated as usual.
Mary
Gordon Ward on thu 18 aug 05
Hi Mary,
As you are spiral wedging, watch to make sure the folds in the clay are
not trapping air. If you are wanting small pieces for mugs, bowls,
etc, gradually force the clay to take an elongated shape which you can
continue to roll out into a fat coil for slicing. All the while make
sure the folds to not trap air. The part of the clay on the end, where
it has been rotating in your hand, just cut that off and wedge it into
the next chunk. Works for me...
If you are using prepared deaired clay from the bag, you shouldn't need
to do any but the spiral wedging.
Gordon
On Aug 18, 2005, at 6:38 AM, Mary/Adams wrote:
> I am getting a great deal of bubbling of my clay. I'm left handed and
> so
> try to follow the pictures and instructions on how to knead. I
> generally
> knead the 'bulls-head' method for about 50 strokes. Then I cut the
> piece in
> half and slam it together and then wedge a few times. Then I knead
> spiral
> for 50 more strokes. What in the world could the bubbling be caused
> by.
> Any help appreciated as usual.
>
> Mary
>
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Lester Haworth on thu 18 aug 05
Hi Mary,
I was taught that kneading is a technique for introducing air to bread
dough. When you wedge clay you are actually removing air from the clay body.
Books are sometimes helpful in learning this process. Videos are a little
better, but there's nothing like hands on for learning how to wedge clay.
Try your local college or university ceramics dept. The instructor there
will most likely be able to demonstrate both methods for you. Then it's up
to you to practice it until it's second nature. Also I usually spend 15 to
25 seconds wedging say a 5 pound chunk of clay. Don't think of wedging in
terms of how many or quantity think quality first.
Les Haworth
Sales and Technical Support
Laguna Clay Co.
14400 Lomitas ave
City of Industry, CA 91746
(626)330-0631 ext. 229
les@lagunaclay.com
www.lagunaclay.com
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parents to read. It said, 'Charlene is not coloring inside the lines.' My
parents contacted the teacher and asked the teacher what the purpose of
coloring inside the lines was.' The teacher didn't quite know what to say,
except that the direction she had given was to color inside the lines. My
dad told me to color any way I wanted to and when I was done coloring, to
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-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On Behalf Of Mary/Adams
Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2005 6:39 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Bubbles in clay
I am getting a great deal of bubbling of my clay. I'm left handed and so
try to follow the pictures and instructions on how to knead. I generally
knead the 'bulls-head' method for about 50 strokes. Then I cut the piece in
half and slam it together and then wedge a few times. Then I knead spiral
for 50 more strokes. What in the world could the bubbling be caused by.
Any help appreciated as usual.
Mary
____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Snail Scott on thu 18 aug 05
At 06:38 AM 8/18/2005 -0700, you wrote:
>I am getting a great deal of bubbling of my clay...I generally
>knead the 'bulls-head' method for about 50 strokes. Then I cut the piece in
>half and slam it together and then wedge a few times...
I know that many people favor the 'cut-and-slam'
method, but any time you separate the clay and
put it back together, there's potential to create
a pocket of air between the parts. This applies
whether you are cutting and slamming, or just
allowing the clay to form folds as you wedge.
I've generally found that wedging alone should be
sufficient to work any trapped air out of the clay.
Are you starting with commerically-made clay in
bags?If so, such clay us usually de-aired when it's
pugged, and wedging is not necessary to remove air
bubbles. (To align the particles for throwing, yes,
but not for de-airing.) If such clay has bubbles
after wedging, you may be introducing them in the
wedging process itself, either by cutting and
slamming, or with a wedging technique that creates
folded-over layers as you work.
A ram's-head (or bull's-head, as you termed it)
method is pretty much symmetrical and ambidextrous,
so being left-handed shouldn't hinder learning from
a right handed person. Can you work with someone,
even for an hour, and get some pointers?
-Snail
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