Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: Ed Brooks on May 11, 2017, 03:43:37 pm

Title: Question about clay
Post by: Ed Brooks on May 11, 2017, 03:43:37 pm
Sorry if this is in the wrong place.

I found some really big clay deposits along the ocean / bay, salt water. I don't know much about clay but, this stuff look really good & clean not to mention really easy to get.
my 1st question would be. Do you think there salt in the clay that needs to be dealt with, being that it is on the beach, and goes under water? if so, how would you go about getting the salt out of it, if you can?
if not do I just collect the material, form it and then let it dry before firing it? thanks in advance. Ed
Title: Re: Question about clay
Post by: EdwardS on May 11, 2017, 06:18:19 pm
no and yes, in a nutshell.  I don't dig clay any more but that's what I did when I did make items like that.
Title: Re: Question about clay
Post by: Pat B on May 11, 2017, 07:25:58 pm
The NA that lived along the Southern Coast used clay found around the salt marsh and made good pottery.
Title: Re: Question about clay
Post by: mullet on May 12, 2017, 08:34:23 am
The NA that lived along the Southern Coast used clay found around the salt marsh and made good pottery.

Same along the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Title: Re: Question about clay
Post by: jaxenro on May 12, 2017, 09:21:45 am
I realize this is different but salt was/is used as a glaze

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_glaze_pottery

Depending on the amount of salt and the other minerals you might get some interesting color added when firing
Title: Re: Question about clay
Post by: Ed Brooks on May 12, 2017, 09:27:40 am
Thank you all for the feed back. looks like I'm going to have to try my hand at making a clay something -C-. in the future. Ed