Talk:Paper clay

It had to happen!

Most texts do not include paperclay, as it is just over a decade old. Compare this with the thousands of years that traditional clay has been used (and the thousand of books on it).

Paperclay is now part of the ceramic arts. In Australia, it makes up between a third and a half of clay sold for ceramic art studio and classroom use.

Up to now paperclay artists have simply published their personal experiences with paperclay. This has been via two textbooks, 48 journal articles, 3 discussion groups and numerious individual websites.

This uncontested knowledge may be wrong.

There is no second generation of impartial authors checking and correcting misconceptions.

I anticipate that wikipedia will accelerate this "maturing" of the paperclay knowledge base.

Yes, I expect considerable debate until a consensus emerges.

Please try (and I will too) to verify major changes.

I will use the 40+ technical journal articles, the two textbooks, and three on-line discussions at http://www.grahamhay.com.au/paperclay.html

--worldwidepaperclay 08:31, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

Making paperclay

There has been some debate over which source of paper, or cellulose fibre should be used (see http://paperclay.blogspot.com/) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 203.190.201.170 (talk) 11:49, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

The whole article

I have removed one blatantly untrue statement, and flag another in need of support. The article needs a lot of work. Theriac 14:26, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

The whole article

I have inserted a couple of references to support the section paperhay 13:12, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

How-To

I've cut the following how-to info:

This method works for me

I have used 'recycled' clay (earthenware or stoneware)grogged or ungrogged, which I have soaked in water and mixed into a slip.

For about 7.5kg of dry weight clay, use about 150g paper (2%).

The best (easiest to use) paper is a good quality toilet tissue (Andrex or Tesco's finest in the UK)- a roll weighs 150g.

Tear up the whole roll into sheets, and add to 2 litres very hot (boiling water), then stirr until it makes a slurry with no large lumps.

Add this to the slip in a 2 gallon bucket, and stirr using a plaster stirrer attached to an electric drill at low speed, for about 15 min, or until you have a homogenous mixture. Let it cool, pour off any standing water. If you like, you can add a dissolved sodium hypochlorite tablet (or Milton solution) during the mixing. This is a mild bactericide (used for sterilising baby milk bottles), and will reduce the risk of your paper clay becoming smelly.

Pour or ladle out the slurry onto dry plaster batts, turning every 6h until the clay is useable. Store in plastic bags. or allow to dry in sheets and re constitute with water when needed.

It might be appropriate for wikiHow, but doesn't really belong in an encyclopedia article. --Clay Collier 23:49, 1 July 2007 (UTC)