Softening Your Clay

• A clay artist should never throw with hard/stiff clay. Not only does it make things extremely difficult, it is also very bad for your body, wrists, hands, and back. Throwing on the wheel is not about strength, it’s about knowing how to touch and move the clay effectively.
• If you have new or old clay there is a very easy and clean method to soften it! I prefer this method especially for porcelain because it does not over saturate the clay and make it really slimy and weak.
  • 1.) With a wire tool slice your block of clay into 1/2” to 1” slices.

• 2.) Take a wet towel and layer each slice of clay in the towel. (You may need more than one towel)

• 3.) Wrap your layered block of clay back in the plastic bag and close.

• 4.) Leave to soak for a day.
• 5.) Remove the towel and place your nice, soft clay back in the bag and close!
• 6.) Wedge well before using.