Linda McFarling has been having some problems with cracking and was wondering if anyone else has had the same problems or knows of someone who has. She uses Phoenix Clay and soda/salt fires it to cone 10.
If you could leave a comment for her or send her an email:
lindamcfarling@gmail.com
Looks like a clay that hasn't aged enough or just a bad formulation! I would allow clay to sit for a month and if problem persists, switch clays.
ReplyDeleteVince Pitelka is a good source of info on such problems and is always willing to assist. Shoot him an email.
Darryl
I use Phoenix for everything; salt, soda, reduction, wood. It's my go-to clay. I haven't had any problems with cracking but I haven't bought any clay in a while. Is the cracking from a new batch of clay? I hope there hasn't been a formula change.
ReplyDeleteNothing for certain, she was just wondering if anyone else had issues to help figure out the problem.
ReplyDeleteThere can be cracking in a clay body that is mixed too dry: water doesn't penetrate evenly. I had this happen in another clay body when I was mixing my own clay. That was a looooong time ago. I talked to HW about this--mixing clay too dry--which I believe is happening currently because the clays, including Px, that I've been recently buying are too damn hard and getting harder as they stand. No cracking problems yet, though. Forms that expand the clay, like platters, wide-bottom forms--can compound the problem. - mikpo
ReplyDeleteThanks, I will send it to Linda.
ReplyDelete