help! what clay do i buy?

Question

I am a newbie-- what kind of clay do i buy for making plates, soup bowls, mugs, and such on a throwing wheel, so that the resulting dinnerware can be fired and glazed for eating on? I have taken some lessons on making pottery with a wheel, but now I want to buy a wheel and clay; it is overwhelming how to choose what clay to buy. Can some of you here help me figure out what clay to buy (Ball Clays: Kentucky Stone, Bell Dark, Tennessee SGP, XX Saggar, KT1-4, KTS-2, etc? Fire Clays: Newman Red, Gold Art, etc? Red Art earthenware? These are some of the choice I have at an online place I want to order clay from (Axner Potter's Wheel)).

<rozronly · Accepted Answer

Information I have gleaned from potterycrafts (UK) was to use a stonewareclay (any colour) that fires to a high temp.  Your cups plates etc. wouldthen stand up to the rigours of utility wear.  They went on to say, betterto buy these kind of items 'ready cast' (bisque) and fired - decorate only.As you are a newby, best to try any clay you can, note the firing temps onthe bag and have fun finding out yourself.  i.e. my first cups cracked whenI attempted to make a cuppa with boiling water (as one would).  Glazescrazed - altogether I learned well - I was a pratt and it was back to thedrawing board.

Steve Mills · Answer

I would avoid very smooth clays at the start; use one that has about 10 percent fine sand or grog, 30 mesh and a bit finer. That will have enough warp resistance and withstand thermal shock well. I agree that stoneware is the best way to start; it is more forgiving than earthenware, and glaze fit, while not easy at the best of times, is less of a problem.

Steve Bath UK

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help! what clay do i buy?

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