I put my sheet down first, directly on the plaster bat then add the clay. When I put clay on the plaster directly I always get chunks of plaster in my clay, the sheet prevents this plus, it acts like a wick drawing water more evenly out of the clay. You can even put a fresh sheet (or pillow case) on top of the clay after a few days and then flip it over onto a new dry bat, remove the damp sheet and let the air get to the bottom of the clay or cover it to prevent the crusties! Works great.
Wonder if you could stiffen clay on cloth stretched over wood frames instead of on plaster bats? Might save some space if you could put several of these on a rack at the same time...
well I think the plaster is what helps draw the moisture from the clay so it will dry faster. My husband (such a handy guy to have around) built a rack for me out of 2X4's and plywood shelves. It's all mounted on heavy duty wheels so that I can push the thing out side to take advantage of a nice day. I can get several hundred lbs. of clay on that thing so it's a real space saver too...
Actually, I have a big bag of dried-out clay that someone gave me. I stick chunks of it in a jar containing water, tea tree oil and lavender, then let it sit. Voila, it's an ace face mask :-)
Looks like fun! I actually picked up on one of your tips using the empty plastic bottles as scoops. I took an empty 2 liter pepsi bottle and cut it out into a scoop, puncturing small holes underneath the scoop part for drainage. I use it for dishing out the clay slop onto the bats.
you dont have to pug it kneading it works too if it becomes dry enuf, just takes a lot longer
Silverjda 3 years ago
Cover the drying clay with towels or bedsheets to avoid the crusty bits- they'll also dry through a bit more evenly. Cheers!
wiesejay 3 years ago
Thanks - yes a good idea . SL
sleachpots 3 years ago
I put my sheet down first, directly on the plaster bat then add the clay. When I put clay on the plaster directly I always get chunks of plaster in my clay, the sheet prevents this plus, it acts like a wick drawing water more evenly out of the clay. You can even put a fresh sheet (or pillow case) on top of the clay after a few days and then flip it over onto a new dry bat, remove the damp sheet and let the air get to the bottom of the clay or cover it to prevent the crusties! Works great.
claymoma 3 years ago
Good idea!
Wonder if you could stiffen clay on cloth stretched over wood frames instead of on plaster bats? Might save some space if you could put several of these on a rack at the same time...
wiesejay 3 years ago
well I think the plaster is what helps draw the moisture from the clay so it will dry faster. My husband (such a handy guy to have around) built a rack for me out of 2X4's and plywood shelves. It's all mounted on heavy duty wheels so that I can push the thing out side to take advantage of a nice day. I can get several hundred lbs. of clay on that thing so it's a real space saver too...
claymoma 3 years ago
Actually, I have a big bag of dried-out clay that someone gave me. I stick chunks of it in a jar containing water, tea tree oil and lavender, then let it sit. Voila, it's an ace face mask :-)
sundaeg1rl 3 years ago
Recycled clay is best.
credenza1 3 years ago
i do that. in my class alot of amature students throw clay away in the trash. they know not what they do
joealanouf 3 years ago
Reclaiming the clay is therapeutic. I usually like to open my hands up and poke finger holes all into the clay to expose the clay to more air.
rapidac 3 years ago
Looks like fun! I actually picked up on one of your tips using the empty plastic bottles as scoops. I took an empty 2 liter pepsi bottle and cut it out into a scoop, puncturing small holes underneath the scoop part for drainage. I use it for dishing out the clay slop onto the bats.
mudpuppy61 3 years ago
Work HArder!
credenza1 3 years ago