How to Make Plain Clay Slip Easy with No Lumps

[@maryjeanallen6189]

Marie, Thanks for yet another informative, clear how-to-video! Your videos and articles are fantastic and SOOOO helpful and inspiring! Appreciate you so much!

[@PotteryCrafters]

You are so welcome! 💖👍The slip in my bucket is moldy and smells like a lake. The baggies really work great!!! No mold after months in the baggies.

[@luciegilchrist240]

As usual - you never disappoint!

[@PotteryCrafters]

Thank you Lucie 😍

[@vickivanriel3082]

Awesome and so information Love your videos!!

[@PotteryCrafters]

Glad you like them!😍

[@happypotter1138]

Thank you very much.

[@PotteryCrafters]

You are welcome! There is so much you can do with slip. Side Note: The slip in my bucket is moldy and smells like a lake. The baggies really work great!!! No mold after months in the baggies😃

[@missevaka7086]

Hello from Europe!!1 Thank you so much for all the information! One question..does the slip have to be from the same kind of clay I m using, or it doesn’t matter? I m afraid if the slip shrinks or dries differently the piece is going to crack..thank you in advance!

[@PotteryCrafters]

Thank you. That is a great question. I do because, yes, a different clay body may cause cracking. So my slip is always the same clay body. I have a great success rate. 😊

[@princychoubey8138]

Thank you for this video n Info. 🤗

[@PotteryCrafters]

Glad it was helpful Princy 👍 😃

[@devingray1671]

Could you cast with this slip?

[@PotteryCrafters]

Hi Devin, that is a very good question. No. you can go to question 19 for the full answer. Here is the link for you potterycrafters.com/21-pottery-clay-slip-questions-answered/ 😊

[@76wlsee]

Noted thanks !can I add more water to use as slip casting ? 😬

[@PotteryCrafters]

Yes you can. gradually add water until you get the consistency of whipped cream 😍

[@76wlsee]

@@PotteryCrafters noted. Thanks for your valuable reply🥰

[@CeramicsByTiff]

Hello! I love you videos, always so informative. Where do you store the slip when done?

[@PotteryCrafters]

Thank you Tiffany 😊 I have a video and an article on 21 slip questions that I think you will find interesting. There I answer the slip storage question here is the link for you. potterycrafters.com/21-pottery-clay-slip-questions-answered/ The video is also in the article. 😍

[@AtypicalPaul]

Hello, could you tell me why clay must be dried and crushed and then rehydrated? It seems like I could just add water to wet clay and mix it up to get that same whipped consistency. I'm sure there's a reason people don't do this. What is it? Thank you 😊

[@PotteryCrafters]

That is a great question! Yes there is a big difference. I tried making slip with wet clay years ago and found myself mixing forever, because water absorbs into dry clay much faster. You can try it yourself. Take just a little bit of wet clay, then a little chuck of dry clay, and then a little crushed dry clay. You will find that you can make slip far faster and easier with the crushed clay. 😊👍

[@AtypicalPaul]

@PotteryCrafters awesome! Thank you very much. That makes sense. So it sounds like if I just needed a wee bit of slip, I could make it wet, but otherwise, dry would be easier. Thank you

[@PotteryCrafters]

You most welcome! I have found if I need little slip right away I would grab a chunk of dry clay put it a sandwich bag, brake it up, add a little water, and mix. 😊

[@maureenrose191]

Thanks Marie. Can you use fresh clay as I don’t have any old dried bits.?

[@PotteryCrafters]

Good question. Yes, you can! 😊 but it is easier to dry out your clay first. Wet clay does not break down as easily. Try it both ways and you will see.😊

[@flynryan3053]

Did/do you add a defloculant?

[@PotteryCrafters]

That is a very good question 😊 No, just water clay and colorant. You can use a little vinegar but I don't need to. Storing it the plastic bags works really well.

[@janebrooks4968]

What is the brand of the red bowl and colander?

[@PotteryCrafters]

My Red bowl good cook and comes in a 3 bowl set. Here is the link for you geni.us/Dzw8j Also my colander is older made by Kitchenaid. They don't sell mine anymore. But this is very similar. Here is the link for you geni.us/SHph9t 😊

[@taqnintaqnin3563]

Hi Marie. I am beginner and I love your videos. You are so helpful, also your accent is very understood for non English speakers like me. You should think about becoming English teacher. By the way. May I ask the following; can't we make slip out from fresh clay from bag directly?

[@PotteryCrafters]

Thank you very much😍 That is a great question. Yes, you can but it is much harder to break down the clay into slip when the clay is moist. You will find it much easier to take some slices of your fresh clay, dry it out, then add warm water. Warm water breaks the dry down even faster. Try it both ways and you will see the difference. 😊

[@amirkhokhar4741]

Which clay u broke?

[@PotteryCrafters]

I broke up Amaco #11 A-mix Clay, but If you use a lower fire clay you must break up a lower clay. It's best to break up the same clay you use when making pottery. The slip will bond best. 😊

[@keraclay8451]

Just a quick question, is it possible to make casting slip out of 420 sculpture clay?

[@PotteryCrafters]

Good question Kera 😊Yes you can, but keep in mind because of the heavy grog your casting may not turn out as smooth as you want. 😊

[@Jamz1726]

Does this apply to air dry clay?

[@PotteryCrafters]

That's a very good question. I have never used air-dry clay. I just bought some air-dry clay and going to do a video on how they throw on the wheel. I will put some air dry clay aside, try it out and let you know 😊

[@Faisal-ds1kb]

Sodium silicate is not available in my country. Is there any way i can make slip of clay without using it?

[@PotteryCrafters]

Sodium silicate works great. I did make this slip without it and it has kept well in the plastic baggie 😊

[@davidarchuleta00]

Hi Marie! Im trying to make slip but I dont have a blender, is it ok if my slip isnt that smooth?

[@PotteryCrafters]

Good question Mikka.👍 If you don't have a blender then put your bone dry clay in a container and let it soak overnight. Then you can mix it by hand. It really is best if your slip is smooth you should put it through a fine strainer also. Try to tap it through like in the video first then push the clay through with a spatula. Watch my recycle bone dry clay video when I take the pillowcase out of the water the next day to hook it on the branch the clay is slip. You may want to try that technic also. Hope this helps. 😃

[@cassandramelena4665]

I heard people use vinegar when making slip. Have you done this before and know why some folks do it?

[@PotteryCrafters]

Very good question 😊 Yes they do. The main reason is to break down the clay a little making it more sticky. Also to keep the mold from growing in it if you store your slip.