Wild Clay Jingle Bells

Oh, the wonders of mud and fire! Inspired by a friend in Alberta who creates stunning kiln-fired pottery, I developed a longing to try out the tactile nature of forming objects with clay. With a little hunting, I was able to source some wild clay at the base of a cliff by a nearby bay. I learned how to process the clay using the wet method of levigation where water is used to separate the clay particles from rocks, sand, and silt. I also learned the dry method in which chunks of clay are dried, crumbled, granulated, and then moistened. So far, I have processed about 10 pounds of lovely, smooth, plastic, moldable clay. With a ball made of aluminum foil and some rice flour, I formed half spheres of clay and glued them together with liquid clay (slip). I placed several clay beads in the spheres before closing them. Using linocut tools, bamboo skewers, and an exacto knife I carved designs. The next step was to learn how to fire clay without a kiln. Why no kiln? First, I love learning new things, but I never know how long I will enjoy a new hobby. It makes no sense to invest in a kiln. Second, I get enormous satisfaction from being resourceful and frugal. I decided I would limit myself to what I could source in the wild and the tools I already own. Lastly, the molecular makeup of this wild clay is unknown. I'm not sure at which temperature (cone) it will harden properly (vitrify). It could leave a real mess in a borrowed kiln. Therefore, I decided to learn from the wisdom of the Native Americans who created sturdy and beautiful clay vessels for centuries without kilns. I followed a two-step process that allows the pottery to reach over 1000F in a pit fire. Using waterpaints and copper wire I completed the jingle bell ornaments. I love how the varying thickness of the spheres and beads give each one a different "jingle". Many thanks to the following for inspiration and instruction. Teresa Smith https://www.instagram.com/ghostpinepo... Andy Ward's Ancient Pottery    • How to Test & Evaluate a New Wild Clay Source   Primitive Technology    • Primitive Technology: Purifying Clay By Se...