Thursday, January 5, 2012

How to recycle clay?

I've been playing with porcelain the past few days and then a lot of dried clay gets chucked into a little bowl. As long as the clay is not fired, you can still use it, even though it's dry.From the bowl, it ends up into a plastic container and I poor water over it so it gets all soggy and soft again.
Of course, in this condition, the clay is too soft so from the container it ends up on a plaster plaque that sucks the water out of the clay. I spread it out with a credit card and then scrape it off again.
When it feels all smooth again, I knead it thoroughly with my hands so that there is no air in between.
And now it's ready to use again. It's a pain to recycle clay as the process takes some time and patience but it always feels great to recycle. :)
Pin It
Posted by Mitsy / ArtMind at 8:13 AM
Labels: , ,

Comments (22)

Loading... Logging you in...
Dashboard | Edit profile | Logout
  • Logged in as
+9 Vote up Vote down
Viktoria/Donauluft's avatar - Go to profile

Viktoria/Donauluft · 690 weeks ago

You are working with a great material! organic, and recyclable!!
+9 Vote up Vote down
ikabags's avatar - Go to profile

ikabags · 690 weeks ago

wonderful !
+15 Vote up Vote down
Jessica's avatar - Go to profile

Jessica · 690 weeks ago

It can become easier if you first put an old pillow case or similar in the bucket. Then the dry clay and water. When everything is soft it's easy to move the clay to the plaster board. Everything is "clean" and easy to move around. Flip the clay over with another cloth above the clay...
Hope you got the idea.
3 replies · active 509 weeks ago
+9 Vote up Vote down
Stephanie Needham's avatar - Go to profile

Stephanie Needham · 674 weeks ago

wow I have been recycling clay for 20 years and never thought of this...FABULOUS thanks!
+9 Vote up Vote down
sculptor's avatar

sculptor · 657 weeks ago

best tip ever
+9 Vote up Vote down
Hilary's avatar - Go to profile

Hilary · 604 weeks ago

THANK YOU!!!! I will definitely try that out.
Loading...
+10 Vote up Vote down
ArtMind's avatar - Go to profile

ArtMind 51p · 690 weeks ago

Hey Jessica, that's a great tip! I'll try it with a sheet next time to see if it's less messy. Thank you. :)
+9 Vote up Vote down
Erin's avatar - Go to profile

Erin · 689 weeks ago

recyclable - That's one of the many beautiful characteristics of clay! Love it. I work with porcelain too.
Wow Jessica's tip is great! I think I will try that too...... :)
+9 Vote up Vote down
Jessica's avatar - Go to profile

Jessica · 689 weeks ago

Glad you liked it, it really makes it easier and less messy.
In October 2011 I was in Jingdezhen, China. I filled a crate and it got here just after christmas. Inside I had over 100 kilos of super white porcelain... I guess I will begin working with it too!
In March/April I will be back, maybe I will bring more clay back then.
Have you been there? It is an amazing place if you're interested in porcelain, THE place to be!
Love to see your work, it really talks to me. Thanks for sharing.
Loading...
+10 Vote up Vote down
ArtMind's avatar - Go to profile

ArtMind 51p · 689 weeks ago

Jessica, I've never been to jingdezhen but I've heard that it's such an amazing place for ceramicists. Enjoy your visit in spring and working with the porcelain. 100kg is a LOT of clay. It would take me ages to deal with that amount! :)
+9 Vote up Vote down
Jessica's avatar - Go to profile

Jessica · 689 weeks ago

Thank you!
I have big plans but I know everything takes more time than you hope for.
I want to bring home plaster moulds to be able to produce more when I come home. I might bring home more clay. Friends wants to buy from me.
In China they add parts after everything is dry. No slip is used. Just add a bit water and it sticks well and stays in place. But it might be different kind of porcelain clay. Maybe you can try with yours?
+9 Vote up Vote down
IngerMaaike 's avatar

IngerMaaike · 689 weeks ago

Merry new year my clay magician :-)

It always looks so soothing ,the clay kneading.
Loading...
+10 Vote up Vote down
ArtMind's avatar - Go to profile

ArtMind 51p · 689 weeks ago

Jessica, I do that with paperporcelain too. Not with the regular one. Even when the porcelain is fired, it's possible to add clay to it. It's Scarva flax paperporcelain. I don't think it would work with regular porcelain. Would love to visit jingdezhen once and learn from the masters. :)
2 replies · active 580 weeks ago
+9 Vote up Vote down
Claudia's avatar

Claudia · 580 weeks ago

Hello,
I am working with paper flaxseed Scarva porcelain, and I was wondering if I could add fresh clay to an already fired piece and fire it all together again. You suggest here you did it before. How do you add the clay, how do you manage for it to stick to the already fired piece? Thanks in advance for your response... :)
Loading...
+10 Vote up Vote down
ArtMind's avatar - Go to profile

ArtMind 51p · 580 weeks ago

Hello Claudio,
Yes, you can add fresh clay to an already fired scarva porcelain piece. In the papre that's wrapped around the clay, they explain how to do it. It's fairly easy as you just have to make the fired piece wet and then add the new part. Good luck!
+8 Vote up Vote down
Jessica's avatar - Go to profile

Jessica · 689 weeks ago

If you decide to go to Jingdezhen let me know and I'd like to give you tips if you like. They work totaly different there from how we are used to. I was surprised and had to re think and adjust.
Loading...
+10 Vote up Vote down
ArtMind's avatar - Go to profile

ArtMind 51p · 689 weeks ago

Thank you, Jessica, supersweet!
+9 Vote up Vote down
rambleswithreese's avatar - Go to profile

rambleswithreese · 687 weeks ago

that's so great Mitsy! Recycling is important in so many ways, including helping your business be more efficient.
+9 Vote up Vote down
geethu's avatar

geethu · 682 weeks ago

2500TH member...happy to follow u:) i'm very much interested in all sorts of crafts,this one is amazing... u've got a nice space here!!
+9 Vote up Vote down
Francie's avatar - Go to profile

Francie · 657 weeks ago

I found your craft show tips article on Pinterest. Stayed around to check out your tutorials. I am SO glad, too, because I have a ton (not literally ;) ) of dried clay and wasn't sure how to remoisten it. Thanks!
Loading...
+10 Vote up Vote down
singersewingmachinesreviews's avatar - Go to profile

singersewingmachinesreviews 25p · 577 weeks ago

Thank you.
The idea is very helpful. Juki Art
+12 Vote up Vote down
ElDonna's avatar

ElDonna · 556 weeks ago

I have arthritis in my hands so I put smaller amounts of dry clay in plastic bags(the Ziploc kind) and add water. When it is soft enough I step on it to flatten it out. Works great except for the toe prints. Have fun claying.

Post a new comment

Comments by

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)