Re: help! what clay do i buy/use?

Beowulf wrote:

> I am a newbie-- what kind of clay do i buy for making plates, soup bowls,
> mugs, and such on a throwing wheel, so that the resulting dinnerware can
> be fired and glazed for eating on?  I have taken some lessons on making
> pottery with a wheel, but now I want to buy a wheel and clay; it is
> overwhelming how to choose what clay to buy. Can some of you here help me
> figure out what clay to buy (Ball Clays: Kentucky Stone, Bell Dark,
> Tennessee SGP, XX Saggar, KT1-4, KTS-2, etc? Fire Clays: Newman Red, Gold
> Art, etc? Red Art earthenware?  These are some of the choice I have at an
> online place I want to order clay from (Axner Potter's Wheel)).

I think you are starting on the wrong end. Where do you want to fire your
things? At what temperature do they fire? I live in Europe and have no idea
about the clays you mention, but i would talk to the people who are going to
fire your stuff. Different clays fire at different temperatures, you can't
just order any clay and fire it to any temperature. It also depends on what
glazes you want to use. They look very different on a light or dark body. I
don't think this is a question anyone in the pottery group can answer for
you. Maybe you should take some more classes and find out  more about pottery
and what it is you want, before you rush out  to buy a wheel and some clay.

Monika

--
Monika Schleidt
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.schleidt.org/mskeramik