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clay required that can easily dissolve later

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  • 14-08-2014 11:11am
    #1
    bittihuduga
    Registered Users Posts: 1,873 ✭✭✭


    hi,
    sorry for my dumb question.
    i have the task of making a clay idol for a small event.
    i have plenty of time for trial and error to make this idol.

    I am looking for clay that should be easy to make it to different shapes and easily dissolves in water after the event.

    i have been told to look for natural clay.
    does that ring bell to anyone here?
    any shops in dublin or online that sell this natural clay? or anything that would suit my needs?

    please help


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    #2
    Red Hare
    Registered Users Posts: 1,393 ✭✭✭Red Hare


    Give this crowd a ring - see if they have what your looking for http://catalog.rpmsupplies.com/


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    #3
    looksee
    Registered Users Posts: 28,133 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    You should be able to get natural clay somewhere locally - it is heavy so it would cost a fortune to bring from the UK. What you do not want is the kind of air-dry or household oven-dry clay as it has fibres and other stuff in it to hold it together. Straightforward potters clay is just that - clay. If it is not fired (but allow it to dry out) it will gradually dissolve in rain or river or whatever and not do any environmental damage.

    Have a look at this store http://store.evansartsupplies.ie/store/go/contact-us/


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    #4
    bittihuduga
    Registered Users Posts: 1,873 ✭✭✭bittihuduga


    thanks for your replies. will give them a shout


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    #5
    breadandjam
    Registered Users Posts: 361 ✭✭breadandjam


    How big is the Idol?

    What you do not want is the kind of air-dry or household oven-dry clay as it has fibres and other stuff in it to hold it together.
    Actually air dry clay dissolves faster in water as the fibres allow the water a route into the clay much faster than ordinary clay. I use it in children's classes and constantly recycle it by soaking it in water.





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    #6
    makeandcreate
    Registered Users Posts: 451 ✭✭makeandcreate


    breadandjam wrote: »
    How big is the Idol?


    Actually air dry clay dissolves faster in water as the fibres allow the water a route into the clay much faster than ordinary clay. I use it in children's classes and constantly recycle it by soaking it in water.




    thanks for that - I cast using slip but when I bought the kids air drying clay and they "forgot" to put the wet towel over the top and tie the bag it really toughened up. If cut it into slabs and spray with water & wrap in cling film will it work again or is there an easier way? It seems like it needs loads of water.


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    #7
    looksee
    Registered Users Posts: 28,133 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    breadandjam wrote: »
    How big is the Idol?


    Actually air dry clay dissolves faster in water as the fibres allow the water a route into the clay much faster than ordinary clay. I use it in children's classes and constantly recycle it by soaking it in water.




    I was thinking more of the environmental implications - if it has to dissolve in situ it is presumably going to be fairly big and left in a water course.


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    #8
    breadandjam
    Registered Users Posts: 361 ✭✭breadandjam


    makeandcreate wrote: »
    thanks for that - I cast using slip but when I bought the kids air drying clay and they "forgot" to put the wet towel over the top and tie the bag it really toughened up. If cut it into slabs and spray with water & wrap in cling film will it work again or is there an easier way? It seems like it needs loads of water.


    Sorry for the delay in replying. I usually just break it up into lumps and throw it in a bucket and fill it up to the level of the clay if it is very hard. If it is still leather hard I'll return it to the bag and throw a cup of water in and tie the bag (which must be water tight :) ) very tightly. It does require some kneading to get the consistency uniform when you want to use it.

    I don't rteally understand Looksee's point about environmental implications ?



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    #9
    Red Hare
    Registered Users Posts: 1,393 ✭✭✭Red Hare


    Red Hare wrote: »
    Give this crowd a ring - see if they have what your looking for http://catalog.rpmsupplies.com/

    To clarify what has been posted above - RPM Supplies are based in Dublin - they have the best range of clays I know of in this country. I would give them a ring and talk to them if looking for a specialist clay :)


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