Using Magic Water for Strong Joints When Slab Building | AMY BRUMMOND

Summary

In this pottery tutorial, the artist shares a technique for preventing cracks in clay by using 'magic water,' a mixture of liquid sodium silicate and soda ash, which forms a flux and a glass-like layer. The mixture is applied to the joint of a clay slab being formed into a cylinder, creating a sticky, hard-drying layer that strengthens the bond and reduces cracking. The artist also discusses the importance of scoring and beveling the clay and the use of a Mud Tools serrated rim for scoring, while emphasizing the need to let the magic water activate before proceeding with the join.

Takeaways

• 🧙‍♀️ The speaker has switched from using regular water to 'magic water' to help with the pottery process, specifically to prevent cracking.
• 🔍 'Magic water' is a mixture that includes liquid sodium silicate and soda ash, which together form a powerful flux and help in bonding the clay more effectively.
• 💧 The function of the water in 'magic water' is to dissolve the soda ash, allowing it to penetrate slightly into the wet clay.
• 🤝 The sodium silicate in 'magic water' is sticky and dries harder and faster than the clay, creating a strong bond and preventing cracks.
• 📚 The recipe for 'magic water' was obtained from Lakeside Pottery and can be shared in a PDF format.
• 📝 The speaker mentions that Jennifer might have already received the 'magic water' recipe, suggesting it was shared previously.
• 🎨 The specific type of clay being used in the script is a red B-mix clay, which was prone to cracking.
• 🛠️ The speaker uses a Mud Tools serrated rim as a favorite scoring tool to prepare the clay for joining.
• 🔄 The 'magic water' can become chunky, and the speaker sometimes uses an immersion blender to keep it smooth.
• 🚫 When applying 'magic water', it's important not to let it squish out and disrupt the pattern on the clay.
• 🔄 The speaker advises letting the 'magic water' sit for a minute after application, activating its bonding properties before proceeding with the pottery work.
• 🔗 When joining clay pieces, it's recommended to overlap them slightly rather than joining them exactly diagonal to diagonal for a stronger bond.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of using magic water in pottery?

The main purpose of using magic water in pottery is to prevent cracking and to create a stronger bond between the clay pieces when forming a cylinder from flat clay.

What is the original substance used before magic water in the script?

Before using magic water, white vinegar was used in the pottery process described in the script.

What is B-mix clay and why was there more cracking experienced with it?

B-mix clay is a type of clay, specifically a red B-mix clay mentioned in the script. More cracking was experienced with it possibly due to its properties or the technique used, prompting the search for a solution like magic water.

Where did the idea of using magic water come from?

The idea of using magic water came from Lakeside Pottery, where the recipe was obtained.

What are the main ingredients of magic water as mentioned in the script?

The main ingredients of magic water are liquid sodium silicate and soda ash.

How do liquid sodium silicate and soda ash work together in magic water?

Liquid sodium silicate and soda ash combined form a powerful flux. The silica in the sodium silicate acts like a glass swimmer, while the water dissolves the soda ash, allowing it to travel into the wet clay. The sodium silicate is sticky, dries hard and faster than the clay, creating a protective layer that prevents cracks.

What is the recommended application technique for magic water on clay?

The recommended technique is to apply magic water to the joint, let it sit for a minute to activate its properties, and then press the clay pieces together, ensuring a strong bond.

What tool is used for scoring the clay in the script?

A Mud Tools serrated rim is used as the favorite scoring tool in the script.

How does the user maintain the slipperiness of the magic water?

The slipperiness of the magic water is maintained by adding clay boogers from scoring into the magic water and occasionally using an immersion blender to prevent it from getting chunky.

What is the significance of not letting the magic water squish out onto the pattern during the overlapping process?

Not letting the magic water squish out onto the pattern is important to maintain the integrity and aesthetics of the clay's surface design, such as the honeycomb pattern mentioned in the script.

What is the recommended way to overlap the clay pieces when forming a joint?

The recommended way to overlap the clay pieces is not to align them exactly diagonal to diagonal, but to overlap them slightly to ensure a strong joint.

What does the speaker plan to do with the exposed seam after pressing the clay pieces together?

The script does not explicitly mention what will be done with the exposed seam, but it implies that the seam will be left as is after pressing the clay pieces together.