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dunting!

updated wed 18 mar 98

 

maggie j jones on sun 15 mar 98

Ok, I'm a new subscriber here...How would you react if after 18 yrs of
using the same clay and minor variations of the same glaze, suddenly,
forms you've made for as many yrs, begin to break within min. to days of
coming out of the kiln. You find out that your supplier has changed the
clay formula,( his formula), so you discover you've been working with 2
clays and didn't know it. Testing of the glaze on these clays, not
knowing which is which yet, reveals that it doesn't matter what change
has been made in the glaze....pots still break. So it is not my glaze...
We are still testing and waiting on tests of the "old" clay formula that
my supplier mixed up for me. Any feedback apreciated! Mags

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KLeSueur on tue 17 mar 98


In a message dated 3/15/98 5:46:39 PM, you wrote:

<using the same clay and minor variations of the same glaze, suddenly,
forms you've made for as many yrs, begin to break within min. to days of
coming out of the kiln. You find out that your supplier has changed the
clay formula,( his formula), >>

Unfortunately this is an all too common story. Clay formulas usually get
changed because some material is no longer available. or there is a problem
with a specific material. Pine Lakes clay comes to mind. First it had lime
contamination and then it wasn't available at all. But boy what a beautiful
clay it was while we had it.

Most clay suppliers limit their liability to the cost of the clay. So the
responsibility shifts to you to test the clay every time you get a new batch.
I just got in 5000 pounds of clay from Texas and your posting is a unhappy
reminder to test that clay before I start in with production.

I'd be interested in what your supplier has to say. Has he offered to replace
the clay? One of the things you can do to possibly make your case stronger
that the clay itself is faulty is to make some pieces and fire them to
maturity unglazed. My guess is that they will crack also.

Find a new supplier if you aren't satisfied with the service.

Kathi LeSueur
in Ann Arbor where I'm really sorry this happened to you