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Plastic clay for wheel and modeling. The addition of granular manganese gives a speckled surface. The ideal temperature for developing best color tone is cone 5. Good results may be expected in reduction or oxidation firing. Commonly referred to as "Chocolate Chip" around Bracker's (nickname originated by customer Darla Heard).
Suggested bisque temperature C/04.
Shrinkage: 12% at C/4, 12.5% at C/6.
Absorption: 4.5% at C/4, 2.5% at C/6.
Image: Straight out of the kiln... Standard Clay 112, with a very light, sprayed on, layer of Opulence Clear. Fired to cone 5, by Darla Heard, Kansas Potter (used with permission).
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
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
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
This clay is compounded to be a stoneware clay with specks that bleed through the glaze, giving the appearance of iron burning through, typical of reduction glazes and clays. A very popular throwing clay for production potters who want to add the speck dimension to their ware.
Optimal results at cone 5
CharacteristicsCone: 5Wet Color: Red/BrownFiring Color: Oxidation: Speckled Tan - Reduction: N/ATexture: Slightly CoarseConsistency: StandardAvg. Shrinkage 2±%: 10.9%Avg. Water Absorption 1±%: 1.7%
Smooth white stoneware, good for throwing and production of functional whiteware.
CharacteristicsCone: 6Wet Color: Light GrayFiring Color: Oxidation: Off-White - Reduction: N/ATexture: SmoothConsistency: StandardAvg. Shrinkage 2±%: 13%Avg. Water Absorption 1±%: 1%
Smooth white stoneware, good for throwing and production of functional whiteware.
CharacteristicsCone: 6Wet Color: Light GrayFiring Color: Oxidation: Off-White - Reduction: N/ATexture: SmoothConsistency: StandardAvg. Shrinkage 2±%: 13%Avg. Water Absorption 1±%: 1%
Late October 2022, we replaced the 35 mesh fireclay with 40 mesh fireclay, resulting in fewer impurities and a slightly smoother texture
A medium range light stoneware body which fires off-white to buff in oxidation and slightly darker in reduction.
Flint Hills clays have been evaluated by a nationally certified toxicologist, and have been found to be in compliance with ASTM C-1023 and D-4236, and to not contain any material in sufficient quantity to be toxic or to constitute a chronic health hazard when used responsibly.
RECOMMENDED VIDEO: Buff by Bracker's
As of October 2022, Buff Plus now uses only 40mesh fireclay and 35 mesh grog.
A medium-range light stoneware body with about 9% fine grog which fires off-white to buff in oxidation and slightly darker in reduction.
Flint Hills clays have been evaluated by a nationally certified toxicologist, and have been found to be in compliance with ASTM C-1023 and D-4236, and to not contain any material in sufficient quantity to be toxic or to constitute a chronic health hazard when used responsibly.
RECOMMENDED VIDEO: White Stoneware Comparison by Bracker's
A high-fire throwing body with iron-based fireclays which produce warm browns in reduction. Contains no grog but has a fair amount of fine tooth due to the high fireclay content.
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 red, slightly coarse clay with excellent working properties forwheel throwing and handbuilding. It is talc-free and contains sand, making it suitable for medium sized forms. Cone 5 oxidation produces red/brown and reduction color is dark red/brown.
***Oxidation ( First Image), Reduction ( Second Image).
CharacteristicsCone: 5Wet Color: RedFiring Color: Oxidation: Red Brown - Reduction: Dk. Red BrownTexture: Slightly CoarsePenetrometer Target: 6.75Avg. Shrinkage 2±%: 10.5%Avg. Water Absorption 1±%: 4.5%
A low fire red clay that fires to a light red-orange color at cone 06 to 05, and a richer, deeper red color when fired hotter, up to about a cone 2. Red Earthenware has been tested up to Cone 5/6 with good results, however, testing continues to be recommended as your results may vary.
A low fire red clay with approximately 10% fine mesh silica sand and approximately 5% fine mesh grog that fires to a light red-orange color at cone 06 to 05, and a richer, deeper red color when fired hotter, up to about a cone 2.
During the summer of 2020, we completed a comprehensive test of our clay bodies. For each clay body, we tested 6 flat bars, which were rolled out on a slabroller. We ALSO tested vertical shrinkage of a thrown cylinder (6 sections, each with their own test)
beginning weights in grams were recorded
the lines and weights were measured & recorded when bone dry
The samples were fired to Cone 04
lines and weights were measured & recorded again
The flat tiles were then soaked in hot water for 1 1/2 hours, then weighed again
Math magic was then done to calculate the average shrinkage wet-dry and average shrinkage overall for both flat and thrown tests, and the average water absorption was calculated based on the flat bars.
We also figured the "LOI" (Loss on Ignition) by computing the fired weight against the bone dry weight. This tells us what percent of organics burn off in the firing.
Flint Hills clays have been evaluated by a nationally certified toxicologist, and have been found to be in compliance with ASTM C-1023 and D-4236, and to not contain any material in sufficient quantity to be toxic or to constitute a chronic health hazard when used responsibly.
RECOMMENDED VIDEO: Red Clay Comparison by Bracker's
A high-fire, high iron red stoneware throwing body which fires to a rich red in reduction.
Flint Hills clays have been evaluated by a nationally certified toxicologist, and have been found to be in compliance with ASTM C-1023 and D-4236, and to not contain any material in sufficient quantity to be toxic or to constitute a chronic health hazard when used responsibly.
This is the Raku body that was developed with and for Eric Stearns and his intricately detailed and pierced pieces. When we discussed making this body available to all of our customers, he enthusiastically agreed, and then the naming process began. After many text messages back and forth that almost resembled new parents trying to agree on a name for their baby, we both agreed that we liked Unshockable! Its name is not supposed to inspire a "challenge accepted!" mindset, it's more designed to reference its resistance to thermal shock, making it a great body for raku. This is NOT a flameware body.
To learn more about Eric and his work, click here!
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%
This is a reformulation of the original Flint Hills 5/6 Black. Kansas Clay intensified the color and switched to a slightly finer mesh fireclay to reduce the light speckling in the previous version....and then renamed it with a Kansas-themed name, of course. :)
***Please note we recommend firing to cone 5. There are mixed results when fired to cone 6. Some potters report bloating, others have no issues*****
Flint Hills clays have been evaluated by a nationally certified toxicologist, and have been found to be in compliance with ASTM C-1023 and D-4236, and to not contain any material in sufficient quantity to be toxic or to constitute a chronic health hazard when used responsibly.
This is a dark clay body with mild speckling. It's kind of like a cross between our Peppered Wheat and our Bison. Not as heavily speckled as Peppered Wheat and a much darker base body.
Flint Hills clays have been evaluated by a nationally certified toxicologist, and have been found to be in compliance with ASTM C-1023 and D-4236, and to not contain any material in sufficient quantity to be toxic or to constitute a chronic health hazard when used responsibly.
Extremely versatile clay body for throwing and handbuilding. Fires to a very light gray color. Works well in both woodfiring and reduction. Suggested bisque temperature C/04. Shrinkage: 12% at Cone 10 Absorption: 1.5% at C/10. Sample was woodfired without glaze.
Clay body specifically formulated by request from Midwest and Eastern U.S. potters. Low in sand and grog content, speckled buff is smooth textured. An excellent throwing body. The color palette is perhaps best described as 'desert' or 'Southwest'. Fired in oxidation, Speckled Buff falls into the tan/brown color range.
C/10
A very smooth white stoneware body. Good for functional ware. Contains very fine porcelain grog. Has no fire clay.
Cone 10 Average Shrinkage 17.0% Absorption 1.0%
*formula change
November 2022 production/New Formula
*Note the printing on the box for production date
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%
Bracker's never really stocked or sold the Flint Hills Clay works body, "Missouri Gold" so we had no idea how popular or how lovely it was until we bought Flint Hills Clay Works. We'd resisted stocking the clay because of the Kansas-Missouri, um, conflicts over the years. There's a rivalry between Kansas and Missouri going back before the civil war and the Missouri Ruffians rode across the border into Kansas and tried to burn down Lawrence THREE TIMES in the 1860s. They never really got over their loss and we still harbor some hard feelings about their repeated arsonistic tendencies. In the more recent past it's translated to sports team rivalries, especially between the Kansas Jayhawks teams and the University of Missouri teams when they were in the same conference. Obviously some of us are more successful about moving past it than others...
However, we quickly fell in love with the warm golden color of the fired clay and then tragedy struck. The producer of the one of the primary components of the clay recipe (that gave "Missouri Gold" the golden color) announced that it was no longer available. After much mad scientist-type moments and a LOT of testing, Cindy Bracker developed a new mid-fire stoneware clay body we're calling Kansas Wheat. It's a little warmer color than the Flint Hills 5/6 Buff. After getting rave reviews from the select group of customers who have been test-driving the clay, we're going to add it to our production cycle. Customers have told us it's great for throwing as well as handbuilding (there's no grog in this body, but it's a toothy mid-fired stoneware clay). Customers have tested it with a wide variety of glazes from different manufacturers with no unusual glaze fit issues.
This clay has the same working properties as your favorite B Mix WC-401. This is a mid temperature, smooth, porcelaneous stoneware that is very plastic and workable. This clay prefers slow drying and ample compression on rims and bottoms to avoid cracks.
***Optimal results at cone 5
CharacteristicsCone: 5Wet Color: off-whiteFiring Color: Oxidation: warm white with speckles - Reduction: N/ATexture: SmoothPenetrometer Target: 6.75Avg. Shrinkage 2±%: 12.47%Avg. Water Absorption 1±%: 2.47%
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%
Aardvark Clay's Black Mountain Fired Shrinkage is 12% and Water Absorption is 1% when fired to cone 10. A deep brown/black clay, medium in texture. Great for the wheel. Needs lots of oxygen during the bisque firing to avoid bloating in the glaze firing. ⚠ 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
New mid-fire speckled buff colored clay - the same formula as the new WHEAT clay with added specks that make it look like someone sprinkled pepper on it.
Smooth, grey/white clay. Excellent for functional ware.
Fired Shrinkage is 11% and Water Absorption is 1.5% when fired to cone 10.
Price is per 25# bag. Volume discounts apply.
⚠ 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
A non-talc based low-fire white clay that is easier to throw than talc-based bodies, especially for beginners. Fires to a creamy white at Cone 04. Low shrinkage and great glaze fit.
During the summer of 2020, we completed a comprehensive test of our clay bodies. For each clay body, we tested 6 flat bars, which were rolled out on a slabroller. We ALSO tested vertical shrinkage of a thrown cylinder (6 sections, each with their own test)
beginning weights in grams were recorded
the lines and weights were measured & recorded when bone dry
The samples were fired to Cone 04
lines and weights were measured & recorded again
The flat tiles were then soaked in hot water for 1 1/2 hours, then weighed again
Math magic was then done to calculate the average shrinkage wet-dry and average shrinkage overall for both flat and thrown tests, and the average water absorption was calculated based on the flat bars.
We also figured the "LOI" (Loss on Ignition) by computing the fired weight against the bone dry weight. This tells us what percent of organics burn off in the firing.
Flint Hills clays have been evaluated by a nationally certified toxicologist, and have been found to be in compliance with ASTM C-1023 and D-4236, and to not contain any material in sufficient quantity to be toxic or to constitute a chronic health hazard when used responsibly.
RECOMMENDED VIDEO: Terra Blanc by Bracker's
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%
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
Aardvark Clay's Terra Red Fired Shrinkage is 12.5% and Water Absorption is 6% when fired to cone 5. A very warm orange-red terra cotta colored cone five stoneware. While the clay is textured, it feels very smooth while throwing or hand building. The blend of color, tooth, and workability you have been looking for. ⚠ 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
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%
Aardvark Clay's Bee Mix
Fired Shrinkage is 13% and Water Absorption is 1.1% when fired to cone 10. Off white, very smooth and easy to throw. Great glaze fit. Our version of the popular clay requested by many customers.
⚠ 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
Aardvark Clay's Carmel (formerly Jamaica)
Fired Shrinkage is 10% and Water Absorption is .5% when fired to cone 10. A rich brown-black clay. Smooth. Excellent throwing qualities.
⚠ 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
A high-fire, inexpensive porcelain made from domestic kaolins. Fires to a cool white with blue-gray undertones as opposed to the yellowish undertones in English Porcelain. This body is especially nice when woodfired.
Flint Hills clays have been evaluated by a nationally certified toxicologist, and have been found to be in compliance with ASTM C-1023 and D-4236, and to not contain any material in sufficient quantity to be toxic or to constitute a chronic health hazard when used responsibly.
Creamy semi-porcelanious clay body with black flecks throughout, Similar to speckled bmix in appearance and workability.
Background of this clay body:
During the fall of 2021, we were working on some new clay bodies to share for our annual New Year's Clay.
You may or may not be aware that September 18th is talk like a pirate day. Somehow that ended up being the inspiration for the name of one of the bodies we were developing. It's now ready for release and we are proud to share our new Pyrate Freckle clay body with you.
The name also references the greek origin for the lovely little flecks that provide the freckle: IRON.
Our initial release of this is a limited run, and we make no guarantees that these Pyrates won't walk the plank or end up hanging from the Gallows, or just sail away to an island in the Carribbean to drink rum. (Read here: there may be some supply chain issues that delay further production)
UPDATE: Lucky for you, me hearties, this clay is sticking around for a while and is now available in full fifty pound boxes!
Winter Wind is a reformulation of the Flint Hills Cone 5/6 Porcelain. You should not notice a difference in workability or glaze fit. The body is almost identical, but the original included a bag of talc. We removed the talc and added a small percentage of 120mesh molochite to maintain the average shrinkage percentage in the original version. As a bonus, that addition also increases the green strength and reduces warpage a bit as well!
Average Shrinkage at Cone 5: 11.53% Average Absorption at Cone 5: 4.2%
Average Shrinkage at cone 04 bisque: 6.38%
Average Wet to dry shrinkage 5.5%
Ranger is possibly the best all-around throwing clay. It is also a true range clay, hence its name, in that it has acceptable vitrification at cone 6 and also performs extremely well as a cone 10 reduction body. Contains some fine grog and sand. If you want flexibility in your studio for ^6 functional ware and the occasional ^10 firing out of one clay, this is the best clay for you.
Fired Shrinkage 13%
Absorption ^6 1.3% ^10 0.3%
Big Stuff ^9-11 Toothy Stoneware clay with grog. Plastic, good for large pieces, handbuilding and throwing. Good atmospheric clay body. One of our most popular bodies.
Darkest chip image is of reduction cooled wood fire. Right chip is oxidation cone 10 and medium brown chip is light reduction cone 10. SODA firing brings out the very bright orange tones in this clay body.
Shrinkage 11% Absorption ^10 1.8%, ^6 3.1%
A nice toothy, plastic stoneware body that fires a reddish brown at cone 6. Throws and hand builds well. Matures cone 5-7. Won't warp or bloat at cone 7 if slow fired through last 300F. Gives nice warmth to glazes, giving that reduction look to them in oxidation. Fine grog for tooth.
Gorgeous in soda and wood firings too up to cone 8.
Shrinkage 11.5% Abs at cone 6 less than 0.5%
Super smooth, tight, and plastic body that fires a true orange red at cone 6. Throws and hand builds well. Matures cone 5-7. Can be pushed to cone 7 if slow fired through last 300F.
Link's favorite mid-range throwing clay!
Shrinkage 11.5% Absorption at ^6 2%
Roo is a peachy, lightly speckled mid-range clay body. It is very smooth and throws excellently. Handbuilds very well. No Grog.
Our favorite thing about this clay is how the limited specks are random among the fired pieces.
Shrinkage ^6 11%, absorption cone 6 less than 1.0%
