How Do You Wedge And Test Clay To Make Ceramics?
Professional potters who work on a moderately large scale go through a great deal of natural clay on a daily basis. The only way for this to be cost effective is to buy clay wholesale in economy sizes. This means they might buy several tons of clay at a time and store what is not being used outside under a tarp or in a shed. Over just a few short hours this clay can begin to dry out, but only the clay on the outside of the pile. The clay on the interior will stay moist longer. As a result potters often have to add a little moisture to their clay and thoroughly work the moisture in while trying to get any air bubbles or inconsistencies out. This is called “wedging” the clay because when you are finished you end up with an angular or conical shaped wedge of clay. Here is a guide on how to correctly wedge clay and test it to make sure it is ready to be used. Place a lump of clay weighing several pounds on your work table. A piece about the size of a football should be adequate and is most
