How to Collect Clay for Native American Pottery

Clay is often found near water.

Collecting clay for pottery is a relatively simple process. Native American pottery is a spiritual creation event. To collect clay for a Native American to create traditional pottery, you must attend to a prayer that honors the four directions, in addition to leaving a clay-replacement offering, such as a piece of food for nearby animals. Once the prayer is complete, it is okay to then remove the clay to be delivered to the artist for shaping and firing.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Bucket
• Pen Knife
• Trowel
• Water

Instructions

1. 

   Clay can also be found in road cuts or steep banks near wet places.

   Grip the shovel handle firmly with both hands, one placed slightly higher than the other. Push down while gripping the shovel, and sink it deeply into the clay deposit. Place a foot on the shovel spade rim, and push hard down with your foot if the clay is very hard. Tip the shovel back once it has its load. Lift the load and drop it into the bucket.

2. Verify that you have a true clay deposit. If the clay is hard, scrape along the edge with a pen knife. If the powder is a fine dust, it is clay. If the clay is wet, it may be necessary to dig down past debris. It is clay if the particles are fine and sticky, making it easy to roll into a ball or to make a coil for a finger.

3. Remove any extra matter, such as twigs, leaves or rocks, after placing shovel loads in the bucket.

4. Submerge dry clay in water to soften it. Break apart clay clumps with a trowel so the smaller chunks will soak and soften faster. Pour clay that is too wet onto a flat surface to dry in the sun. Make thin clay thicker by adding sand or loose dirt.

5. Gather clay in your hands to see if it is ready to be squeezed and shaped. Clay needs no drying, thickening or softening if it can be gathered in the hands and manipulated.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not collect clay in environmentally polluted areas.

• Always gain permission before walking onto private land.

References

• Mint Museum Library: Spirituality in Native American Pottery
• Kit Cornell Pottery: How to Find and Dig Clay