Smectite clay and zeolite minerals both have similar lattice structures and absorptive properties, no doubt this has something to do with their ability to lock away carbon painted designs. Learn more about the use of smectite clay as a pottery slip in this video ua-cam.com/video/RxH5bco_RJE/v-deo.html
I can confirm that what you said about using Smectite clay as a slip is exactly what I found out the hard way. But I thought it was something that I did. So, thank for this video.
Zeolite is incredibly useful stuff! We use it to make molecular sieves (little mineral spheres with very tiny holes just big enough to take in water but not larger materials), as well as in aquarium filters to take up ions (softens up water).
Some Zeolite, don’t know if all, is sold as odor absorbers (musty areas, litter box odor, etc) and is recharged in sunlight, and comes in small rocks about the size of a marble.
Every shot where Andy walks in frame and out of frame, he’s walking at least three times as much as he needs to. It doesn’t surprise me given his dedication to his art, but I am impressed
Thank you. As a newbie, your lessons are changing the way I look at the earthy colors as I drive around northern Arizona. I got out in my neighborhood and just dug up some clay-ish soil and jumped in to processing and evaluating. I am looking forward to learning adventures with your videos and pottery club.
You should really be warned that this stuff will consume you... Its fun.. its rewarding... its heartbreaking, and it somehow teaches you a new language... you will see.🏺🧿
oo ee said it perfectly! So relaxing and enjoyable, and I couldn't agree more about the smectite and its artistic touch required... Thank you again, I am glad I saved this one for the evening! Ahhh!
Your determination is inspiring...and Leonard Cohen (?) made a beautiful soundtrack. I will never find smectite in my area but the little bags of bentonite (from the Little Colorado) that you sell on your website go an amazingly long way. You could double or triple the price and it would still be a great value. Just look at the hard work you do to find it. Thanks Andy!!❤
Interesting discussion about zeolites. I have both white and green zeolites in the vicinity of the clay I gather, some of which is commercially mined. I've often wondered about experimenting with it on some level in pottery. At ceramic temperatures, zeolites break down into other minerals, among them quartz, and others depending on the variety of zeolite being fired. That you got this type of slip to adhere to your pot was really interesting, and gives me some ideas to try. I'd never use it in a clay body, since it releases so much water vapor on heating, but as a slip material it could be fun to experiment with.
A friend suggested that maybe I could try pre-cooking this material to drive off the water before I paint on the organic paint. Lots of possibilities. Thanks for the info Dave.
Thanks for your video. I find your information so interesting in showing the science involved in a thousand year old art. There are so many examples of this craft in the southwest.
Thanks for taking us with you on your very interesting day in the desert and for sharing your own knowledge and experience. I'm going to be sampleing many more minerals that I come across in my frequent outings here in Souther Baja.
Clay minerals are composed of aluminium, silicon and oxygen, and often a few other elements. Identifying clay can be difficult because many different types have a similar chemical composition, so testing can be quite expensive.
Maybe the zeolite is different from clay in just its particle size? Clay is defined by its tiny particle size which gives it the negative charge to bond with water like it does. This seems like a similar situation to the Feldspar “flour” i have from Michigan. (Not a volcanic situation but similarly…) I thought it was white clay, it feels silky almost like clay, but does not form like clay (it’s thixotropic) but also it fires hard. It makes a glaze at higher temps! It’s got the same mineral content as clay but it’s not tiny enough particles to act just like clay…Is how I understand it. Since kaolin clay comes from Feldspar. The area it came from had been mined for Potassium Feldspar so I’m pretty sure that’s what it is. K-Feldspar is pink so your video also made me think of that. But I know nothing of zeolite. Thanks for the video!
Seems a lot of eastern Pueblo pottery is often grayish in nature, or a very light faint tan. I assume this is the “white clay” used here, though the latter I assume was due to oxidation firing of that slip. Often quite a bit of this pottery is crackled in appearance. A little faint cracking of the slip doesn’t seem to have bothered the potters.
Careful my friend, if your locale in the USA is anything like Canada, some bureaucrat will see the video and input you into the "system" - Trespassing on State or Federal lands - Mining without a license or claim - Removal of State or Federal property - Damaging sensitive habitat etc The amount of BS these bureaucrats can come up with for a man taking a ziplock bag of dirt is probably endless. Here in BC you can be charged with an offense for damaging "wild habitat" with your dirtbike et al for a fine of up to 100,000 dollars and or 5 years in prison. Yes, a punishment comparable to a homicide sentence for harming ditch weeds. PS enjoying what I'm watching here, inspired to take my daughter and go look for some clay...on the down low of course!
Howdy Andy , I’ve watched this video several times & took the time to map this trip out , am I correct that it’s apprx 100 miles , one way from Tucson to that type of Smectite , near Klondike & possibly a two mile hike to that source ?!
I can't help but almost drool when I see the spring fighting in Ukraine with a all that infamous Ukrainian spring mud full of clay that parallelized the Gremans in WW2 and today that sticky gooey clay trapped anything. Just do video search about fighting in Ukrainian spring clay. Of course, I'm more than willing to stay here and keep away from the fighting.
Smectite clay and zeolite minerals both have similar lattice structures and absorptive properties, no doubt this has something to do with their ability to lock away carbon painted designs. Learn more about the use of smectite clay as a pottery slip in this video ua-cam.com/video/RxH5bco_RJE/v-deo.html
as a white paint for ceramics, I use a mixture of white-burning clay and titanium dioxide
Titanium dioxide is pretty hard to find in nature, at least in my area. Thanks!
A delightful mix of scenery, music and knowledge. It felt like an old western treasure hunt movie. Great video! Thanks for sharing
Thank you very much!
I can confirm that what you said about using Smectite clay as a slip is exactly what I found out the hard way. But I thought it was something that I did. So, thank for this video.
Thanks, glad to help.
Zeolite is incredibly useful stuff! We use it to make molecular sieves (little mineral spheres with very tiny holes just big enough to take in water but not larger materials), as well as in aquarium filters to take up ions (softens up water).
It's all very interesting. I wish I knew more about it's relationship to montmorillonite which has similar absorptive properties.
Some Zeolite, don’t know if all, is sold as odor absorbers (musty areas, litter box odor, etc) and is recharged in sunlight, and comes in small rocks about the size of a marble.
Everywhere I drive around in Prescott I look for Clay. Found a few good spots. Thanks for another great video Andy!
I have heard that the Prescott area is rather clay poor, but I'll bet the Verde Valley has a lot. Good hunting!
Looks like a heck of fun adventure. Nice walk
It was thanks.
Every shot where Andy walks in frame and out of frame, he’s walking at least three times as much as he needs to. It doesn’t surprise me given his dedication to his art, but I am impressed
Andy, your legacy is encouraging to me,I need to get out there and live my life💯
Go for it!
@@AncientPottery im working towards it,it's difficult for me most times, but you are an inspiration💯
Thank you. As a newbie, your lessons are changing the way I look at the earthy colors as I drive around northern Arizona. I got out in my neighborhood and just dug up some clay-ish soil and jumped in to processing and evaluating. I am looking forward to learning adventures with your videos and pottery club.
You are fortunate that you live in a great area for clay. I am glad I can help.
We will be glad to see, hear and read about your adventures. This is a great group.
You should really be warned that this stuff will consume you... Its fun.. its rewarding... its heartbreaking, and it somehow teaches you a new language... you will see.🏺🧿
oo ee said it perfectly! So relaxing and enjoyable, and I couldn't agree more about the smectite and its artistic touch required... Thank you again, I am glad I saved this one for the evening! Ahhh!
Your determination is inspiring...and Leonard Cohen (?) made a beautiful soundtrack.
I will never find smectite in my area but the little bags of bentonite (from the Little Colorado) that you sell on your website go an amazingly long way. You could double or triple the price and it would still be a great value. Just look at the hard work you do to find it. Thanks Andy!!❤
Thank you. The song in this video is "A Wanderer" by Peter Crosby open.spotify.com/track/6vC6Nl3ozadqBNho0lXugN?si=8c9ba96ae6b3418f
I will sell you some bentonite for three times more if you want your money's worth! LOL! JK
@@AncientPottery thanks I was wondering, it’s a beautiful song.
Interesting discussion about zeolites. I have both white and green zeolites in the vicinity of the clay I gather, some of which is commercially mined. I've often wondered about experimenting with it on some level in pottery. At ceramic temperatures, zeolites break down into other minerals, among them quartz, and others depending on the variety of zeolite being fired. That you got this type of slip to adhere to your pot was really interesting, and gives me some ideas to try. I'd never use it in a clay body, since it releases so much water vapor on heating, but as a slip material it could be fun to experiment with.
A friend suggested that maybe I could try pre-cooking this material to drive off the water before I paint on the organic paint. Lots of possibilities. Thanks for the info Dave.
Thanks for your video. I find your information so interesting in showing the science involved in a thousand year old art. There are so many examples of this craft in the southwest.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for taking us with you on your very interesting day in the desert and for sharing your own knowledge and experience. I'm going to be sampleing many more minerals that I come across in my frequent outings here in Souther Baja.
I’m looking forward to tonight’s Ancient Potters club zoom meeting. Always informative and enjoyable.
Thanks Jeff, I hope you can make it tonight when we will paint our little burden basket effigies.
Clay minerals are composed of aluminium, silicon and oxygen, and often a few other elements. Identifying clay can be difficult because many different types have a similar chemical composition, so testing can be quite expensive.
Thanks for that explanation.
Nice video and great editing. I kept thinking about how many times you had to walk back to get your camera. Thanks
Ha, you are thinking like a UA-camr, most people never think about that. Thanks, see you tomorrow.
I love your investigative approach. Searching, asking questions, revising you hypothesis. Very interesting and enjoyable video. Thanks for posting!
Awesome, thank you!
Amazing
Thanks
Those, "meow!" Birds are a crack up.
Yo Andy! You should link your music choice, good stuff, my man.
Thanks, I will add it to the dooblidoo. It is "A Wanderer" by Peter Crosby open.spotify.com/track/6vC6Nl3ozadqBNho0lXugN?si=678a306d7acd43b5
Thanks!
Thanks Allen
Great information. Thanks for sharing.
Glad it was helpful!
This sounds familiar to me. I have similar material I just keep going back to it trying to figure it out !!!
The processing and application of a new material can sometimes take a long time to figure out.
Informative!
Thanks
Ancient peoples had no understanding of modern chemistry, either...but they did know about experimenting until you find something that works...
For sure. But sometimes scientific info can shortcut some trial and error.
Maybe the zeolite is different from clay in just its particle size? Clay is defined by its tiny particle size which gives it the negative charge to bond with water like it does. This seems like a similar situation to the Feldspar “flour” i have from Michigan. (Not a volcanic situation but similarly…) I thought it was white clay, it feels silky almost like clay, but does not form like clay (it’s thixotropic) but also it fires hard. It makes a glaze at higher temps! It’s got the same mineral content as clay but it’s not tiny enough particles to act just like clay…Is how I understand it. Since kaolin clay comes from Feldspar. The area it came from had been mined for Potassium Feldspar so I’m pretty sure that’s what it is. K-Feldspar is pink so your video also made me think of that. But I know nothing of zeolite. Thanks for the video!
Seems a lot of eastern Pueblo pottery is often grayish in nature, or a very light faint tan. I assume this is the “white clay” used here, though the latter I assume was due to oxidation firing of that slip. Often quite a bit of this pottery is crackled in appearance. A little faint cracking of the slip doesn’t seem to have bothered the potters.
I still need to finish paying for my spot in next month's class. I paid the reservation fee but never received any follow up.
I just sent out emails to participants this morning. Thanks
@@AncientPottery Thank you sir.
Careful my friend, if your locale in the USA is anything like Canada, some bureaucrat will see the video and input you into the "system"
- Trespassing on State or Federal lands
- Mining without a license or claim
- Removal of State or Federal property
- Damaging sensitive habitat etc
The amount of BS these bureaucrats can come up with for a man taking a ziplock bag of dirt is probably endless. Here in BC you can be charged with an offense for damaging "wild habitat" with your dirtbike et al for a fine of up to 100,000 dollars and or 5 years in prison.
Yes, a punishment comparable to a homicide sentence for harming ditch weeds.
PS enjoying what I'm watching here, inspired to take my daughter and go look for some clay...on the down low of course!
It's usually okay in the US but varies from place to place.
Howdy Andy , I’ve watched this video several times & took the time to map this trip out , am I correct that it’s apprx 100 miles , one way from Tucson to that type of Smectite , near Klondike & possibly a two mile hike to that source ?!
uh.. I dig up smectite clay daily. Illinois is filled with it. :D. I even have the chemical comp analysis etc.
👍
"Cow"
Lol
Isn't Smectite clay used in oil well drilling fluids?
Yes it is, it has many uses
I can't help but almost drool when I see the spring fighting in Ukraine with a all that infamous Ukrainian spring mud full of clay that parallelized the Gremans in WW2 and today that sticky gooey clay trapped anything. Just do video search about fighting in Ukrainian spring clay. Of course, I'm more than willing to stay here and keep away from the fighting.
🤍 🖤 🩶