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These cracks have been drawn because we were unable to get this to happen in our studio - likely because one condition was not met. This is M340, it is made from minimally processed natural mined clay. While inherently very fine it does have some sand particles. Consider the combination of conditions we created to try to make this happen:
-An unstable bowl shape (flared out to the edge of the clay's ability to support itself).
-Cutting the rim off with a needle tool and leaving that flat surface uncompressed and with water on it.
-Applying slip just after throwing the piece (rather than waiting until leather-hard).
-Not wedging the clay (or wedging it well).
Had all these been true and the clay was also soft and thrown using a lot of water (rather than slip) it could have split. Clays made from 200 mesh industrial minerals can even endure all of that. But to make this very unlikely just do the opposite of the above: Stable shapes, thrown rims, slipping later, wedging well and use a stiffness matching the shape being made.
| Glossary |
Clay Stiffness
In ceramics, clays exhibit plasticity in accordance with their recipe but also the water content. Each types of forming method has an ideal combination of stiffness and plasticity. |
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