Post #271239 by IMQTPI on Fri, Dec 8, 2006 7:44 AM

Aww man! I don't remember what kinda clay it is! I just checked the bag, but there's no marking on it!

It might be T2 Stoneware from our local ceramics supply house (Clay Planet in San Jose). It's definitely Cone #10.

I like the clay, it's very "forgiving" for taller pieces. It's also pretty sandy in texture on it's own. And it fires to a deep brown when left nekkid! It's especially good for the "rustic" style I prefer!

Tiki-texturing was the time-consuming part! While he was leather-hard, I tap-tap-tapped him lightly with whatever texture-producing stuff I could find (rocks, acorns, broken shards of whatever). Then I coated him with black slip.

For the final firing, I gave him a very light coat of a rutile glaze, and sponged most of it off. I didn't want him to be Super-Shiny (like standard Tiki Mugs), I just wanted a slight iridescence. Happily, I got the effect I was looking for. He actually looks WAY cooler in person than what I could photograph. From different angles, he does have a slight (almost like a dull-bronzy) shimmer - depending on how the light hits him.

I rarely like my own "stuff" enough to display it in my home (I'm weird that way!), but this guy sits proudly atop our Entertainment Center.

Good Luck on your Jouney into Clay-Land. It's lots of fun! (I just wish I had more time for it!)

-Nancy aka IMQTPI

P.S. You're right - this is a GREAT place for "inspiration!"