Before factories, man made homemade clay for sculpting and crafting needs. These can be every bit as good as clays bought in stores and can even be superior, because the sculptor can create certain clay mixtures that suit the project he is creating better than a pre-made clay.
History
Since the beginning of history, man has used homemade clay to create containers to hold food and water. This clay originated from the area that the person lived in and was baked in the ground to harden it. Later, kilns made from clay brick or stone were created to fire the clay.
Function
Homemade clay can be used to make a number of useful objects such as spoons, pots, cups, bottles, plates and bowls. It can also be used to create decorative items such as sculptures.
Types
Clay comes in many different types and is identified by color. There is white, red, black, orange and yellow clays. Red clays are more common and are referred to as terra cotta. White and red clays are the most preferred clays for creating because they are easier to work with. Black clays tend to be sticky, for instance.
Misconceptions
Some people think that clay is simply dug up and used, but this is a misconception. Homemade clay is made, first, by digging the clay out of the ground. Then it is spread out in the sun to dry. Once the clay is dry, it is crushed and sifted several times to get rid of impurities. Some potters will mix in additives or other clays to add color or certain properties to the clay. Water is reintroduced to the clay, and it is mixed. Finally, the clay is prepared by kneading to get rid of air bubbles in the clay, which can cause weakness in the finished piece.
Time Frame
It can take several days to make a batch of homemade clay, depending on the type of clay and how wet the fresh clay was when it was dug up.
