To reuse old, dry clay, you need to rehydrate it properly. Here's a step-by-step guide:
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Break Down the Clay: Start by breaking the dry clay into smaller, manageable pieces. The smaller the pieces, the easier it will be for the water to penetrate.
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Soak the Clay: Place the broken clay pieces in a container and cover them with water. Ensure all the clay is submerged. Let the clay soak overnight or even longer, depending on how dry and hard it is. The longer it soaks, the better it will rehydrate.
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Drain Excess Water: After soaking, carefully drain off any excess water from the container. You don't want the clay to be too watery.
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Wedging the Clay: This is the most important step. Wedging removes air bubbles and evens out the moisture content in the clay, making it workable. There are several wedging techniques, but the most common are ram's head wedging and spiral wedging.
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Ram's Head Wedging: Involves pushing and folding the clay in a ram's head shape, forcing air out.
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Spiral Wedging: A more efficient method that involves a spiral motion to compress and de-air the clay.
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Check Consistency: After wedging, the clay should be smooth, pliable, and consistent in texture. If it's still too dry, add a small amount of water and wedge again. If it's too wet, let it air dry slightly before wedging.
Important Considerations:
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Mold Prevention: Be aware that soaking clay can create an environment for mold to grow. If you notice mold, you can add a small amount of bleach to the soaking water. However, be careful not to add too much, as it can affect the clay's properties.
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Clay Type: The success of rehydrating dry clay depends on the type of clay. Some clays are more difficult to reclaim than others. Earthenware and stoneware are generally easier to reclaim than porcelain.
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Reclaiming Slip: Another method is to turn the dry clay into a clay "slip" (a soupy mixture of clay and water) and then let the water evaporate to reach the desired consistency. This is a slower method but can be effective for very dry or hard clay.
By following these steps, you can successfully reclaim and reuse old, dry clay for your pottery or sculpting projects.
