How to Find Wild Clay for Pottery | 5 Essential Tips

#wildclay #pottery #ceramics
More tips on clay here: / tinkerandthink
benshane.com/
/ benshane
What really got me into working with clay more seriously was the excitement of delving into every step of the process-this starts with scouting for and digging my own clay locally. It’s actually not as difficult as it might sound, and this video gives you five essential tips for finding your own clay to work with. It’s incredibly rewarding and a great way to understand and appreciate your medium more.
If you’ve ever wanted to become more independent and invested in your pottery or ceramic art, this is the way.
Here’s an overview of the video contents:
1. Look in places where the lower layers of earth have been revealed: rivers and road cuts and construction sites.
2. Look or colorful earth to indicate clay, especially red.
3. Look for crumbly ridges of natural, dry clay; or smooth, short walls of cut clay.
4. Do a coil test to check for plasticity.
5. Explore an area where you’ve found clay to find different clays with different properties.
BONUS: Research local geology for great leads on where to find clay near you.
Music by @JakeShaneMusic

[@mabdub]

Almost nothing beats understanding the value of practicality, i.e., using your brain. Wish more people would share their knowledge in such a straightforward no nonsense way. Thanks a lot for this helpful video.

[@Mazequax]

He's so pleasant to listen to and look at.
You should record an audio book for us 😄

[@farpointstation]

Your videos are an inspiration, your delivery is calm and engaging and your a/v game is on point.

[@tinkerandthink]

thanks so much!

[@shanebep3135]

I'm binging your videos because they're so informative and entertaining. You have a super smooth voice that dances on the syllables of words and the subject matter is fascinating even if you aren't into clay. Keep up the awesome content, I can see you growing fast my child

[@tarareyes9604]

Taking notes! Thanks for the wisdom Ben!

[@jakeshane]

Full of great information and really clear explanations. Makes me want to go looking for clay!

[@artwyoming]

Excellent work! I am sharing with my HS pottery students= Thank you!

[@themoodyonejb]

I dug a hole in my backyard and found some beautiful red clay. (Metro Atlanta, Ga) I cleaned & sifted it, and now I love looking and finding raw natural clay. Thanks for this video. I'm going to be looking all over now.

[@tinkerandthink]

Yes! I hope you're making some cool stuff

[@themoodyonejb]

@@tinkerandthink hubby just got me a small kiln, so I'm about to try and see what I come up with. (Some crooked cups/mugs and bowls, coming right up!) Hahaha

[@Joeysaddress1966]

Love the lesson. Thanks Ben!

[@tinkerandthink]

Thank you! 🙏

[@littlebrookreader949]

👍. This is wonderful! Thanks!

[@loveflowers7948]

Great video. I live in Hawaii . On the island of Oahu. Where I live , we can’t dig anywhere without getting lava rocks or other rocks and clay soil. Once you get through the tons of rocks there is plenty of clay ( tons actually :), in the soil.

[@angibenet6138]

I appreciate that you mention to do it sustainably. I always say: nature is abundant, there's only one rule: don't take more than you need. A question: how do you know if the clay you've found is high temperature or not? (or maybe it doesn't matter is you just use fire like in your other video).

[@tinkerandthink]

The only real way is to run tests, firing a small piece to increasing temperatures. I'll be posting a video all about that in a couple of weeks!

[@jimlahey5354]

That opening line cannot describe my current condition any better

[@nhw8906]

Thank you so much for such an educational video. Could kindly share what clay would be best to use for moulding for cement casting? 🙏🏻

[@wcouch8]

Tihs series is amazing. How is it that you do not have a ga-zillions views? I will share with my pottery friends.

[@tinkerandthink]

Thanks! I appreciate it 🙏

[@anitahamlin2411]

I wonder if dry river beds would work. Very interesting.

[@tinkerandthink]

A great place to look!

[@lindysmith13]

When I was young my dad used to find flat discs of clay by a river near us. I'm not sure exactly how they formed such perfect discs. My sister actually kept one from probably 55 years ago. The river flows through the local Audubon Society land and I looked for more of these recently. Of course I didn't feel comfortable ripping up their land so I didn't find anything. I hope to go back soon.

[@kiimmig2293]

@3:19 that looks like my front yard. 😉

[@JoJoAcrylicArtwork]

Absolutely awesome. Thanks for teaching 🤘
@trinityjmg

[@scproleplay-prometheusinc.7551]

How do you age clay

[@tinkerandthink]

Add water, then let it sit around, covered. Weeks or months

[@katnapasmr12]

You are so cool 😘

[@sandgrains3418]

Why doesn't a translation appear inside the video????

[@haveela4441]

U look like a old money ❤️‍🔥