New Clay Body: BUFF STONEWARE With OCHRE

I went to the studio last night and was lucky enough to "catch" Karen Avery using the new clay body.  The Buff Stoneware with Ochre.  She threw this plate using the new clay and, as you can see from the photo, it is a little grayer than the stoneware body that we have right now and definitely not as red as the Stoneware with Iron.

You will noticed also that Karen used some slip on her plate.  This is a new recipe and can be found with all the other slips in each work area.  It is labeled "New White Slip" and is a little thicker than the other slip so it is good for slip trailing.  If you like to brush it on your work, please collect a little container of it and thin it down.  DO NOT CONTAMINATE the entire container of slip; especially if you are going to brush the slip on your work or layer different colored slips on your piece.  This applies to all slips in the studio.  The "New White Slip" may appear a little grey in the bucket, but rest assured, it will fire up white.  Have fun . . . go crazy!

Breaking News . . . New Clay Body soon to be at Lillstreet

From the desk of Karen Avery:

New Clay:

BUFF STONEWARE With OCHRE

I have ordered Buff Stoneware with Ochre. I think people will like this as a choice for clay; in reduction it fires to a warm chocolate color and should be good in Baileys and Soda. The high iron content in ochre can spot more through slips and glazes or flux into them and change the glaze color a bit. It will be FUN to have a new clay body; this can be another avenue for adventure and learning about a new material. It will be here soon and the clay tickets ($35) will be ready. It recycles into the stoneware buckets and will be fine in our reclaim.

I will be interested in everyone’s feedback.

Thanks,

Karen

So, try our this new clay body and see if you like it.  You can contact Karen directly at karen@lillstreet.com or leave a comment here. I will try to take pictures of the new clay body after it is fired and post here.  Please also be cognizant of the surfaces you are working on with this new clay. The high iron content will easily affect Porcelain and B-Clay body so please do not use surfaces marked specifically for those clay.  Now -- get your hands dirty!!!!

Throwing Bowls

Ever wonder how to throw a bowl? Well wonder no more!! In the video posted below, Lillstreet ceramics department head Karen Avery, demonstrates how to throw two different types of bowls.



Perhaps this video will inspire you to create some pieces to donate to Lillstreet's Empty Bowls event on March 5, 2010, 5-8pm. Not only is it great for the community, it is delicious too!