Скачать или смотреть Recycling Clay using Plaster Slabs

I keep my reclaim bucket directly next to my wheel. It means I can easily fill it with all my turnings from when I’ve been trimming work and I can scoop out slops from the splash pan after a day’s throwing directly into it. Beyond that, as I’m throwing, if any larger chunks of stoneware come off on my hands I sling them directly into the bucket, rather than letting them buildup in the plastic tray, this way my wheel remains relatively clean for long periods of time.

Once full, the buckets contexts are given a good stir, but first I try to remove much of the water from on top, as if the slurry gets too thin and watery, I can’t layer it so thickly on the plaster batts.

After being carefully piled into a mound I smooth the top off, so the mass will dry out evenly. You can poke holes into it if you like, but I usually do that the following day as not to disturb the clay too much, I don’t want it running over the edges and onto the floor.

It then stays here, uncovered, as the air dries the clay out from the top, and the plaster beneath draws moisture out from below. Once enough moisture has left, and it feels more like the consistency of clay you get from the bag, it’s peeled off and wedged up into a useable state that’s entirely smooth and void of any air pockets.

Every few weeks, if I remember, I’ll clean the batts off and remove any flaky segments of plaster, (which isn’t very often at all), and I’ll find a spot in the sun to dry them in, or, when I’m firing the gas kiln, I’ll slide them underneath it. I do this as the plaster can get very saturated with the moisture that’s drawn out of the clay, which means they do a worse job at drying out future batches of reclaim.

This process fascinates Ciro, my miniature dachshund, and if I’m doing it whilst he’s at the studio he’ll always trot over and follow what I’m doing.

#pottery #recycle #clay #asmr #satisfying #studiodog