Working With Mexican Pottery Clay

What Is Mexican Pottery Clay?

Mexican pottery clay is a special type of clay with a reddish-brown hue that can be purchased in art and craft stores. This type of clay is different than other types of clay in that it doesn't have to be fired after it's shaped. Objects made from Mexican pottery clay simply need to air-dry. Because of this, it's a great clay for people who don't have access to kilns and other pottery-making supplies. Most Mexican pottery clay is sold in moist form, meaning that it's ready to go as soon as the package is open.

Molding the Clay

Before shaping the clay, it's important to knead it until it feels soft and pliable. This will make the clay easy to mold with the hands and will also decrease the clay's chances of snapping while being shaped. Once the clay is softened, shape it. Mexican pottery clay can be used to make statues or decorative bowls, pots and cups. The clay can be shaped with the hands or used on a pottery wheel. Sculptor's tools can also be helpful to add detail to the project. Store any leftover clay in a zip-top, airtight bag to keep it from drying out.
If making a sculpture with Mexican pottery clay, it can be helpful to build a hollowed-out version of the object by shaping the clay around a stack of crumpled newspaper. This is because if the object is very thick, it could take weeks to dry all the way through. In some cases, it simply won't be able to harden if it isn't hollow.

Drying the Object

Once the clay has been molded, it's time to let it dry. Place the item on newspapers and let it sit out for at least 24 hours. When the object is completely hardened, coat the outside with pottery sealant that's specifically for Mexican pottery clay, if desired. The sealant will make the piece shiny and protect it from damage.