We stock moist clay from Kansas Clay (manufactured by our sister company, right here in our building!), Aardvark, Kentucky Mudworks, Laguna (we order from both California and Ohio plants) & Standard. We have dry blends of many of these clays available as well, and we also carry Standard Casting Slips. Use our convenient combinations of common groupings coupled with filters to drill down to find your perfect clay, or feel free to contact us for suggestions!
You may also want to check out this Youtube Playlist introducing and comparing many of our clay bodies.
Gray in the raw form with a medium sand texture. A popular body for general purpose use. Large and thick-walled pieces are prone to cracking. In light to medium reduction, Rod's Bod fires to a warm brown with iron specks which generally bleed into glazes forming brown specks.
Reduction ( First Image), Oxidation ( Second Image).
CharacteristicsCone: 10Wet Color: Light GrayFiring Color: Oxidation: Yellow/Buff - Reduction: Medium BrownTexture: Medium CoarsePenetrometer Target: 7Avg. Shrinkage 2±%: 13.5%Avg. Water Absorption 1±%: 2.4%COE x 10-6: 6
Aardvark Clay's Coleman Porcelain Fired Shrinkage is 13.5% and Water Absorption is 0% when fired to cone 10. A true Grolleg body developed by Tom Coleman. Excellent fit with most glazes, very translucent when thin, great for large pieces. Probably the best domestically produced porcelain you will ever find. ⚠ WARNING - This product can expose you to crystalline silica (quartz) which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
Fires gray-stony-white in reduction at cone 10, off white at cone 5 oxidation, and bright white at cone 05 (raku). It is a medium textured, low shrinkage body designed for large-scale hand-built sculpture and tile work where thick cross sections (up to 1 inch) are anticipated. Contains a moderate amount of fine and medium mesh grog.
Oxidation ( First Image), Reduction ( Second Image).
Characteristics
Cone:
06-10
Wet Color:
Light Gray
Fired Color - Oxidation
Cool Off-White
Fired Color - Reduction
Dk Gray/Black
Texture:
Coarse
Δ 06
Δ 5
Δ 10
Ave. Shrinkage 2±%
4%
8%
10%
Ave. Water Absorption 1±%
21%
11%
5%
COE x 10-6:
5.57
6.05
5.25
A medium coarse clay body which exhibits excellent throwing characteristics. This material pulls up well for tall vertical forms without downward creep. Also throws well horizontally holding near flat cantilever flanges on bowls without slumping. The clay both stretches well on big bellied pots and necks as well as on pinch neck bottles. It should be noted that the fine wood fiber content of this clay makes it necessary to reduce the amount of water added to the clay during throwing. Excessive use of water will negate the forming advantages that the fiber produces in this clay. Bob's is also an excellent sculptural body with remarkable resistance to cracks and warps. It is highly grogged with a toasty color. Fires from cone 04 to cone 6.
Special Order Clay, available full box only
Oxidation cone 6 ( First Image), Reduction cone 6 ( Second Image).
Characteristics
Cone:
6
Wet Color:
Dk Red/Brown
Fired Color - Oxidation
Buff
Fired Color - Reduction
Dark Brown
Texture:
Coarse
Δ 06
Δ 5
Ave. Shrinkage 2±%
6%
9%
Ave. Water Absorption 1±%
18%
10%
COE x 10-6:
5.52
6.31
Has the plastic nature and glaze friendly creamy color of B-Mix with Grog and all the added qualities of paper clay. It is a great choice for sculptural vessels and has the positive throwing qualities you expect from B-Mix with Grog. Can be fired in a wide range of temperatures from cone 04 to Cone 10.
Reduction ( First Image), Oxidation ( Second Image).
Characteristics
Cone:
10
Wet Color:
Cream
Fired Color - Oxidation
Off-White
Fired Color - Reduction
Gray-White
Texture:
Slightly Coarse
Δ 06
Δ 5
Δ 10
Ave. Shrinkage 2±%
6%
8%
11%
Ave. Water Absorption 1±%
21%
11%
5%
COE x 10-6:
6.79
7.71
6.42
An exceptionally white and translucent throwing porcelain for Cone 5-6. Characteristics Cone: 5 Wet Color: White Fired Color - Oxidation White Fired Color - Reduction White Texture: Smooth Penetrometer Target: 6.75 Ave. Shrinkage 2±% 11% Ave. Water Absorption 1±% >1% COE x 10-6: 6.99
A grolleg porcelain body with excellent throwing properties. Very translucent with minimal warpage.
Special Order Clay, available full box only
Characteristics
Cone:
10
Wet Color:
White
Fired Color - Oxidation
White
Fired Color - Reduction
White
Texture:
Smooth
Penetrometer Target:
7
Ave. Shrinkage 2±%
15%
Ave. Water Absorption 1±%
0.5%
COE x 10-6:
4.82
This clay was designed specifically to achieve a rich brown color when fired in an electric kiln. It has good strength for both wheel throwing and handbuilding. Contains 60 mesh sand so the texture is slightly coarse. We do not recommend that Electric Brown be fired in reduction. Characteristics Cone: 5 Wet Color: Brown Fired Color - Oxidation Warm Brown Fired Color - Reduction N/A Texture: Slightly Coarse Penetrometer Target: 6.75 Ave. Shrinkage 2±% 12.5% Ave. Water Absorption 1±% 0.5% COE x 10-6: 4.86
An outstanding, all-purpose, orange/brown, moist body. Has fine sand and is a difficult body to crack during firing. Durable and affordable. Good for professional or student. Reduces a warm orange/brown, lighter in oxidation.
Characteristics Cone: 10 Wet Color: Red Fired Color - Oxidation Orange/Brown Fired Color - Reduction Dark Brown Texture: Medium Coarse Penetrometer Target: 7 Ave. Shrinkage 2±% 12.5% Ave. Water Absorption 1±% 0.8% COE x 10-6: 4.9
A medium coarse, dark clay with 60 mesh sand. Turns deep brown in reduction and brown in oxidation. Good for various forming techniques. Characteristics Cone: 10 Wet Color: Brown Fired Color - Oxidation Brown Fired Color - Reduction Deep Brown Texture: Medium Coarse Penetrometer Target: 7 Ave. Shrinkage 2±% 12% Ave. Water Absorption 1±% 0.9% COE x 10-6: 3.46
A very fine grog makes for a more forgiving body with a slight texture and minimal speckling.
***Oxidation (First Image), Reduction (Second Image).
CharacteristicsCone: 5Wet Color: Light GrayFiring Color: Oxidation: Off-White - Reduction: Gray-WhiteTexture: Slightly CoarsePenetrometer Target: 6.75Avg. Shrinkage 2±%: 11.0%Avg. Water Absorption 1±%: 2.75%
B-Mix 5 offers the same characteristics enjoyed by our Cone 10 B-Mix. Its smooth, porcelain texture is a pleasure to throw and form, and it fires to a cream color in oxidation.
***Oxidation (First Image), Reduction (Second Image).
Due to talc shortages in the ceramic industry, your favorite clays may look a bit different.
B Mix will appear slightly tanner at cone 5 than what you are used to.
CharacteristicsCone: 5Wet Color: Light GrayFiring Color: Oxidation: Cream - Reduction: Off-WhiteTexture: SmoothPenetrometer Target: 6.75Avg. Shrinkage 2±%: 12%Avg. Water Absorption 1±%: 2.3%
The addition of 10% fine feldspathic sand allows for a body with some texture. Fires gray/white when reduced and off-white when oxidized, some speckling may occur.
***Reduction ( First Image), Oxidation ( Second Image).
CharacteristicsCone: 10Wet Color: Cream/WhiteFiring Color: Oxidation: Off-White - Reduction: Gray/WhiteTexture: SmoothPenetrometer Target: 7Avg. Shrinkage 2±%: 12.0%Avg. Water Absorption 1±%: 1.2%
Cone 10 B-Mix clay with the addition of a very fine grog; provides a smooth fired texture and light speckling.
***Reduction ( First Image), Oxidation ( Second Image).
CharacteristicsCone: 10 Wet Color: Cream Firing Color: Oxidation: Off-White - Reduction: Gray-White Texture: Slightly Coarse Pentrometer Target: 7 Avg. Shrinkage ±2%: 10.3% Avg. Water Absorption ±1%: 1%
A cream-white, throwing clay that is easy to throw and form. Smooth porcelain texture. Fires gray/white in reduction and lighter in oxidation.
***Reduction ( First Image), Oxidation ( Second Image).
CharacteristicsCone: 10 Wet Color: White Firing Color: Oxidation: Cream - Reduction: Dark Cream Texture: Smooth Penetrometer Target: 7.5 Avg. Shrinkage ±2%: 13% Avg. Water Absorption ±1%: 1%
A grolleg porcelain. Very white in oxidation and good for dinnerware.
Reduction (First Image), Oxidation (Second Image).
CharacteristicsCone: 10Wet Color: WhiteFiring Color: Oxidation: White - Reduction: WhiteTexture: SmoothPenetrometer Target: 7Avg. Shrinkage 2±%: 15.0%Avg. Water Absorption 1±%: 0.5%
A pliable clay with smooth grog. Great for sculpture (use a high gloss glaze when making dinnerware). Color comes from manganese and iron. Fires almost black when in oxidation. It is not recommended to fire this clay in reduction.
***Do not fire past Cone 5
Oxidation ( First Image), Reduction ( Second Image).
CharacteristicsCone: 5Wet Color: Red/BrownFiring Color: Oxidation: Brown/Black - Reduction:BlackTexture: Slightly CoarsePenetrometer Target: 6.75Avg. Shrinkage 2±%: 10%Avg. Water Absorption 1±%: 3%
Simon Levin's Delicious Irony is a smooth, luscious satiny milk chocolate-colored body with rich maroon undertones and interesting responses to ash and flame. This is a high fire clay (the bowls in the image are from test firing in KU's wood kiln which often reaches Cone 12). This isn't intended to be used in low-fire wood applications, but if you want to try it, we won't stop you. Read a beautiful description of woodfiring directly from Simon Levin's website and in his words.
Simon Levin's True Grit, a groggy sculptural stoneware with beautiful flashing in a reduction cooled wood kiln. This is a high fire clay (the bowls in the image are from test firing in KU's wood kiln which often reaches Cone 12). This isn't intended to be used in low-fire wood applications, but if you want to try it, we won't stop you. Read a beautiful description of woodfiring directly from Simon Levin's website and in his words.
Stoneware favorite. Light sand color with fine specks. Excellent throwing body which enhances glaze colors and effects. There is no better all around throwing body available for the stoneware look. Fine speckling shows through glazes enhancing the piece.
Optimal results at cone 5
SDS Sheet
CharacteristicsCone: 5Wet Color: GrayFiring Color: Oxidation: Speckled Tan - Reduction: N/ATexture: SmoothConsistency:StandardAvg. Shrinkage 2±%: 12.0%Avg. Water Absorption 1±%: 2.93%COE x 10-6: 5.07
Kota Porcelain ^5-6 is our newest cone 6 very translucent, bright white Porcelain. It is sister to our beloved White Lightning, however it is more forgiving and trimmable. It is exceedingly translucent. Your glazes will really pop on this friendly, easy-to-throw and trim, creamy clay.
Excellent for large plates and platters as well.
(Shr 13%, abs ^6 0%).
This clay throws exceedingly well for a translucent porcelain. Fine grained, tight and glassy at cone 6. Fits our Super Clear glaze with no crazing! If you are looking for a more forgiving porcelain try Kota.
POLAR BEAR Porcelain ^6 is our newest cone 6 traditional English-style porcelain. It is extremely plastic and forgiving to both throw and handbuild. Easy-to-throw and trim, creamy clay. Cool with color. Translucent when thin.
Excellent for large plates and platters as well.
(Shr 11.5%, abs ^6 0.0%).
May pluck if fired over witness cone 6. Fine grained, tight and glassy at cone 6. If you are looking for a more plastic porcelain try POLAR BEAR.
Speckled Turtle ^5-6 A warm brown speckled plastic clay good for all forming techniques.
Offers nice warmth tones at cone 6 and gives a reduction look to glazes.
(Shr 11.5%, absorption cone 6 less than 0.5%)
Excellent coarse sculpture body with 60 mesh sand and 30 to 60 mesh grog. Nice range of firing colors from buff to dark tan. Low shrinkage.
Special Order body, available in full box only
Cone: 5Wet Color: BuffFiring Color: Oxidation: Buff - Reduction: Dark TanTexture: CoarsePenetrometer Target: 6Avg. Shrinkage 2±%: 5%Avg. Water Absorption 1±%: 10%COE x 10-6: 5.825
This outstanding Ohio red clay earthenware formula is excellent for throwing, has good strength, and works well for Majolica ware. Fires warm red in oxidation from Cone 06 to Cone 2.
This is special order body, available in full box only
CharacteristicsCone: 06Wet Color: RedFiring Color: Oxidation: Red - Reduction: N/ATexture: SmoothPenetrometer Target: 6Avg. Shrinkage 2±%: 6%Avg. Water Absorption 1±%: 10%COE x 10-6: 6.80
This low fire, white earthenware body has good throwing qualitiesand fires very strong and white.
This is special order body, available in full box only
CharacteristicsCone: 06Wet Color: GrayFiring Color: Oxidation: White - Reduction: N/ATexture: SmoothPenetrometer Target: 6Avg. Shrinkage 2±%: 6%Avg. Water Absorption 1±%: 17%COE x 10-6: 7.21
