November 2024 — Eric Moore Ceramics

It’s been a second since I last updated anything related to my materials testing. A lot has happened since the last post. I’ve moved to Pennsylvania with my partner and because of that there have been many changes. Getting a new job, getting settled in, making connection after connection. It’s definitely been a lot to absorb. The last time I updated anything about clay testing was still left off half baked. There were a lot of ideas going through my head, even though I felt that my testing had been successful.

I have been working with one of the recipes that looked the best from my most recent round of tests. So far I have had very few complaints! I had mixed close to 150 pounds before the move so by the time I got a studio set up I would already have my clay ready to throw. I think I am just about done throwing it all. I have some reclaim and a small bag of clay left but I think I’ve thrown more than 100 pounds of it. I have been firing in a different gas kiln, an updraft compared to the downdraft from Vermont. Updraft kilns are known for being uneven. This kiln isn’t too bad but there are definitely some hotter and colder spots ranging almost a whole cone in difference. I placed a couple of pots in both the hot and cold areas to check the difference. Surprisingly my clay works well in both! Now don’t get me wrong, when a piece is close to the direct flame path I noticed a bit of warping. But that had happened with other commercial clays as well. With everything made so far it I think this recipe is extremely promising.

As for the next steps in mind, I want to revisit some color testing just to see how much my clay can take before warping, bloating, or dunting may occur. The color I am currently getting is a super dark maroon leaning into more earthy brown tones. I want to see if I can push it just a little bit further. The recipe currently being used asks for 6% blackbird clay for the colorant. My theory is I probably won’t be able to push any more than 8% and still be comfortable but its still a theory worth testing.