All eyes were on one of the firings during this month as pieces experimented with the soda ash and hot water glazing technique as described by Jackie Gasson during the recent hand building workshop.

To create a join in your clay construction that is stronger than water or slip alone – try using white vinegar. Since clay is slightly alkaline, the acidity of vinegar makes it act like a glue for clay.

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Make sure when you start that the clay you use is the same degree of wetness. One of the major causes of cracks is different degrees of wetness when constructing the piece.

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If you don’t have access to a slab roller, a good way to ensure your slab is even, is to lie two pieces of timber along each side of where you are rolling.

This homemade turntable is easy to make, inexpensive, and works really well. PVC plumbing closet flanges can be purchased at many hardware stores for about $10.

1. ‘Air dry’ pieces for as long as possible.

As Brisbane is a humid climate it can take weeks for greenware (freshly made clay pieces) to really dry out, ready for firing. So, how can you know if your piece still has too much moisture inside?

Use wire racks to dry clay slabs and tiles

Slabs and tiles are especially prone to warping and cracking because they usually have only one long surface exposed to the air, causing the slab to dry unevenly.

When rolling coils, the circular motion pushes any air in the coils towards the ends. Always cut both ends off your coils before attaching them to your project. It may help avoid the pot blowing up in the kiln. (See the coiled jug)