Mica ware

[morgaina]

Master hroar expressed interest in the mica clay so here are some photos of the ware I have been making with low-fire mica clay. This is a commercial body from New Mexico Clay Co., is supposed to be what they Pueblo Indians used for cook pots, and I wanted to experiment with it.



Made from 25 lbs. of the mica clay. Both dried and drying. The shine looks like water is on them but it's the reflection of the mica.


This is a closeup of a pipkin I just put together. The clay doesn't get to the state of leather hard to which I am accustomed, the clay seems soft until it is dried enough to be hard. You can see the glitter of the mica and how rough the clay is. Click if you'd like a closer view.


Another view.

Although New Mexico Clay was a good company to work with, shipping makes this clay impractical, my plan is to prospect around here for mica clay as soon as the weather moderates.

Comments

[slysidonia.livejournal.com]

Very pretty!
What cone does it fire to?

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

Cone 04. I plan to glaze them with transparent glaze and possibly some copper filings.
http://www.nmclay.com/Amazing/searchresult.asp (scroll down)

[doll-paparazzi.livejournal.com]

OOo, didja see the book written by Clint Swink on pottery? He does Annazi (I can't spell) pottery and teaches on the Pueblo in NM. He's written for Clay Times and Ceramics monthly.

THE BOOK CALLS 2 ME. O.O

If I wasn't poor I would buy eet. ::weeps::

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

No, can't say that I have seen that particular book.
So very many books. So very many styles to try.

[monkeybung.livejournal.com]

WOW! I LIKE IT!

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

Thanks :-)
A clay body with bling.

[dame-eleanor.livejournal.com]

Gee, that's pretty! And of course your braziers, pots, pipkins and so forth are just plain awesome!

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

Thank you, the mica should stay glittery as long as I don't fire it too hot.

[hroar.livejournal.com]

very very, VERY cool! And yes, I woud LOVE working with this stuff! I will have to look it up. 8-)
Yeah, I am getting the keyboard wet with my drool! YUMMMM!!!!!

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

If you like gnarley clay, you will love this. It is odd to work with, for instance after you've been throwing a bit, the throwing water gets foamy!!! And if the slurry is foamy enough it dries with foamy air bubbles. So Strange.

[hroar.livejournal.com]

how cool! Adn odd!
How very cool and interesting!
I will report back on my perspective on working with this...Sound s very intersting!