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albany slip and the power of legend

updated wed 27 oct 10

 

Lili Krakowski on tue 26 oct 10


Albany slip was one of many surface clays that worked wonderfully as =3D
glazes-by-themselves at high temps, and as glaze ingredients at lower =3D
temps. And if I remember Parmelee correctly (my copy is around here =3D
somewhere....) it never crazed. (Which is more than can be said for =3D
most of us). But Albany slip is not irreplaceable. There is nothing =3D
unique about it...It was what it was, there are other similar clays =3D
around. I have not tested the Alberta slip I have, probably should, but =
=3D
it too is "mortal". Wherever in Alberta it comes from, will no doubt be =
=3D
paved over...

As I wrote last week, substitutes for it can be made with RedArt and I =3D
am sure other similar red clays. You may have a potential replacement =3D
in your own backyard. If you do: dry a batch. Pick out big rocks and =3D
branches. And little dead things. Rehydrate with a lot of water and =3D
sieve, finishing with a fine screen to eliminate sand. Test.

What always was tricky is that Albany Slip changed over the years....I =3D
mentioned that already in 1985 when I tested two batches of AS--one from =
=3D
1963 or so, and one twenty years younger.

For those of you with AS still hanging around, I think you have two =3D
choices. Sell it in small batches so that the buyers can make up tests =3D
on which to base further tests using other red clays, or make up one or =
=3D
almighty big batches of your favorite AS glazes using up the AS you =3D
have. =3D20

As to what sales price should be...? To a good home --like a real =3D
pottery school, or the like--handling and shipping costs would do it for =
=3D
me. For potters I know to be serious glaze people, ditto. For anyone =3D
else s/h plus a generous contribution to nearest food bank.




Lili Krakowski
Be of good courage