CPT Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 Hi all! What brand of clay do you recommend for handbuilding? Wanted to try some slab molds, mugs, etc.....something other than low fire white. Preferably low-fire. Thanks so much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 It would help the update your profile location so the right clay can be recommended for your area. It is a lot cheaper to buy clay that you can get locally than to have it shipped in. I can buy 100 lbs if local clay for 35$ or order something similar to it for 85$. I can get the local clay for even less if I buy larger batch. Denice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPT Posted February 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 There is a local clay supply store, definitely. Suggestions for the best clay for handbuilding, other than low-fire white....red or terracotta low fire? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bciskepottery Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 I've used Standard 104 and 104 w/grog (red/terra cotta) for hand building with good results; was for an art class unit I did for a local school. Highwater's Earthen Red and Stan's Red have been recommended to me by others. For my own work, I use both cone 6 (Highwater's Little Loafers, Red Rock, and Buncombe White, Standard 112, 308, and 266)and cone 10 clays (Highwater's Phoenix, Helios, Standard 381(?), 681, and Laguna's Dark Brown) for hand building. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavy Fire Studios Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 My favorite lowfire handbuilding clays come from Clay Art Center in Tacoma, Washington. They are Seward Terracotta and X-Tra White. Wonderful plasticity and super easy to work with! They're excellent throwing bodies, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunny Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 I've used Standard 104 with grog also. It works really good for hand building. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 I think that the first question you should ask yourself is What temperature/cone do I want to fire to? Then ask: What color do I want this handbuilt clay to be when fired? Then I would consider whether I want the clay smooth or with grog. Then I would go to my clay store and ask their opinion considering my specifications. I did this when first ordering clay from Standard in Pittsburgh when I first started teaching. I also made it a point to go down and visit Standard and get a look first hand at all their clays, and feel them to see how they were to me. I also made it a point to write down the names of the people when I got back to my car, so that when I called or dealt with them again I would remember their names and start making a personal connection. Over the years and still does work quite well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frederik-W Posted February 13, 2015 Report Share Posted February 13, 2015 The brand of clay is always specific to the country, city or local area you live in. Specifying the brand of clay is rather meaningless to anyone else who cannot get hold of it. Better to describe the type of clay. I use a brown raku clay with lots of grog that can be fired anywhere from earthenware to stoneware. The fact that it is raku helps to withstand temperature differentials between thick and thin parts without cracking - ideal for sculptures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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