How to Make Earth Clay From the Ground Pliable

Make clay pliable using the water-extraction method.

Clay has been used throughout history for medicines, pigments, bricks and pottery items. There is an abundance of clay found across the world at different depths below the Earth's surface. Making Earth clay pliable can be easy or complicated, depending on the method. The complicated way requires the clay to be dried, pounded, sifted, slurried and pressed. An easy way to process Earth clay and make it pliable is using a method called water extraction.

Things You'll Need

• 2 Buckets, 5-gallon
• Clay
• Water
• Window screen
• Plaster bat

Instructions

1. Fill a 5-gallon bucket halfway with clay. Break the clay into the smallest pieces possible.

2. Add water until the bucket is three-fourths full. Allow the clay sit for 24 hours.

3. Stick your hand into the water and break up the clay by pulling your fingers through the mixture and squeezing the clay chunks to dissolve it. Check to see if there is a liquid suspension of the clay in the water. Allow the mixture to sit another 24 hours if lumps of clay still exist.

4. Place a window screen over the top of an empty 5-gallon bucket. Pour the clay mixture through the screen into the empty bucket. Discard any impurities left on the screen.

5. Allow the newly poured bucket of pure clay water to sit for 24 hours. Dip as much clear water from the surface as possible. Allow the clay to sit until enough water has evaporated to make it the consistency of pudding.

6. Place a plaster bat on a flat work surface. Cover the plaster bat with 2 to 3 inches of the pudding-consistency clay. Allow the clay to sit uncovered for 12 to 24 hours. The clay is pliable and ready to use when you touch the surface and it does not leave liquid clay on your finger.

Tips & Warnings

• Large pieces of clay will work but smaller pieces take less time to process.

References

• Practical Primitive: Processing Clay the Easy Way - Water Extraction