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mending cracks dawn to dawn

updated mon 20 oct 03

 

Dawn Christensen on sun 19 oct 03


Hi Dawn
Paper clay is a wonderful method of repair. It can be made using dry
clay or the slip from your clay body and the cheapest toilet paper you can
find. Tear it up, add a small amount of water, soak it until it is about the
consistency of thick oatmeal (overnight is fine) and blend the two. I have mixed
it by hand, blender, or a paint mixer attached to a drill. It has worked for
me in critical student situations. If you want a consistency closer to
throwing clay dry it on plaster and knead before using. It does smell when it ages
and smokes slightly when fired. I add a small amount of bleach to retard
bacterial growth. There are books and archive material that have more specific
recipes but I do a lot of mixing by eye and feel. I have thrown with paper
clay but trimming is awful as tools pick up the fibers. Dawn C (I didn't realize
there were two of us) .