How To Make Clay At Home (It's Just Dirt)

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  • Опубліковано 14 тра 2024
  • Making clay is not that hard. Not too long ago it was part of most potters jobs to dig and process all the clay they used. Yet today it is almost a lost art. In this video I show you 3 methods for making clay at home, simply and easily.
    Some clay processing equipment
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    0:00 What Is Clay?
    2:02 Selecting the Right Dirt To Make Clay With
    4:58 The 3 Methods For Making Dirt Into Clay
    9:03 Tempering Clay So It Won't Crack
    #wildclay
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 3,6 тис.

  • @dbzsuperfan711
    @dbzsuperfan711 Рік тому +7809

    This guy is exactly the kind of fellow i expect to teach me how to make clay

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Рік тому +1232

      "The clay guy"

    • @misterkaos.357
      @misterkaos.357 Рік тому +6

      I always imagined some blonde emo haired twink wearing black robes with red clouds on them, riding on a giant dragon made out of clay.

    • @jrobbin24
      @jrobbin24 Рік тому +263

      I love that he's straightforward and informative. Very helpful!!

    • @mateocucurull9598
      @mateocucurull9598 Рік тому +32

      So, you were all your life thinking in this moment...

    • @ValentinePro11
      @ValentinePro11 Рік тому +11

      Lol same

  • @gcvrsa
    @gcvrsa Рік тому +1467

    I remember digging up clay as a child, but I never really thought much about it. I honestly didn't know that clay is just dirt with a certain particle size. I thought it was a fundamentally different substance.

    • @lunacinnamon201
      @lunacinnamon201 8 місяців тому +77

      DUDE me and my cousin when we were kid we found out how to make clay by ourselves and started making so much of it we make pots, cakes a lot of stuff without even knowing taht it was clay! Today i asked her if she remembered how to do it and we have no idea how

    • @NeptunesOrca
      @NeptunesOrca 8 місяців тому +68

      To a certain extent, it *is* a fundamentally different substance. The reason clays behave so differently from other soils is because they have different electro-mechanical properties that are *related* to their size. I've never been entirely clear on the exact mechanism for why particles below that 2 micron threshold have different properties, but it's probably related to how they're formed as well as just size.
      The reason clays behave so differently from silts, sands, gravels, or any other size of soil particle is that they have a tiny charge to the particles just enough to attract a little layer of water (water is a slightly polar molecule, so one end of the water is attracted towards the clay essentially). This is what gives them that plastic behaviour that other soils don't have, and can be both extremely useful and extraordinarily annoying, depending what you're using that soil for. Quite nice for pottery, typically much less so in foundations.
      One more fun fact about clays, if a soil is made of ~30% clay, it will behave as though it's *all* clays (as far as engineering applications goes, anyways. I'm sure potters would disagree with that assessment)

    • @lunacinnamon201
      @lunacinnamon201 8 місяців тому +7

      @@NeptunesOrca nice information, thank you

    • @arcaears
      @arcaears 8 місяців тому +32

      It's not just dirt with a particular size - it's specifically minerals made of aluminum and silicon. "Dirt" includes organic materials, sand (silicon dioxide, aka quartz) and some other minerals. Clay is present in most dirt, but it's not "just dirt" any more than chocolate chips are "just trail mix" even though trail mix includes chocolate chips.

    • @jacobus57
      @jacobus57 8 місяців тому +9

      ​@@arcaearscorrect. "Dirt," even very fine dirt (more properly called soil) is full of organic matter that would burn off in a kiln, leaving voids. Further, "dirt" would not fuse. That requires a very high proportion of silica.

  • @Aupheromones
    @Aupheromones 8 місяців тому +202

    I wasn't expecting to randomly stop and spend ten minutes learning about clay, but I am very happy that I did.

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  8 місяців тому +12

      Glad I could provide a few minutes of diversion

  • @Justin-Outdoors
    @Justin-Outdoors 9 місяців тому +496

    I like how he seals the ziplock bag very neatly like he’s trying to protect the dirt from spoiling

    • @abhaybhatt4286
      @abhaybhatt4286 8 місяців тому +64

      Clay particles are really tiny so if it's dry and in an open top container it's gonna go airborne and coat everything, including the inside of your car

    • @Maevynn
      @Maevynn 5 місяців тому +7

      100% efficiency
      0 limitations

    • @LARKXHIN
      @LARKXHIN 3 місяці тому +1

      I was thinking "did he put it in the bed of his oversized truck?" though I did enjoy the video

    • @user-dn1iw8eo3q
      @user-dn1iw8eo3q 3 місяці тому +6

      Its probably to prevent it from getting out not air from getting in....

    • @Treblaine
      @Treblaine 2 місяці тому +2

      Though I guess with hindsight he didn't want to get dirt in his car.

  • @prezzie1
    @prezzie1 Рік тому +2597

    This is what UA-cam was invented for good honest content. It was the first time I have seen your videos but I have to say It was a really really interesting video. The amount of clay you got from the one with all the grit actually shocked me. Thanks for this video it was really good

  • @amymoriyama6616
    @amymoriyama6616 Рік тому +1218

    UA-cam FINALLY suggests a video I actually want to see. I've been toying with the idea of trying my hand at some primitive pottery using local clay, and up pops this video. A very nice to watch, wholesome, easy to listen to, and educational video. THIS kind of quality content is hard to find. Thank you.

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Рік тому +67

      You are most welcome

    • @rockovahsacralonte570
      @rockovahsacralonte570 Рік тому +1

      They Greys are doing that to you!

    • @Stamation
      @Stamation 10 місяців тому +3

      There’s clay in my backyard

    • @itsargonlol
      @itsargonlol 8 місяців тому +1

      ooo pottery! hope you dont make you pot accidentally go flying across your room!

    • @peggedyourdad9560
      @peggedyourdad9560 8 місяців тому +2

      I have also considered making clay as well because of how much of it is naturally in my local soil. like, when I squeeze wet dirt from my yard it stays in shape. It even feels like clay when I mess with it when wet.

  • @crazypickles8235
    @crazypickles8235 7 місяців тому +37

    My man is straight up advocating for mental health while showing how to dig for clay. ❤

  • @rainy-3322
    @rainy-3322 6 місяців тому +38

    “Go Outside And Touch Dirt”

  • @verebellus
    @verebellus Рік тому +578

    i love that you show even the "boring" and tedious work, and that you even tripped and feel. it makes these videos really authentic

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Рік тому +32

      Thanks!

    • @michellelester243
      @michellelester243 8 місяців тому +4

      All part of the adventure, thank you for a great demonstration!

    • @gettingintrospective
      @gettingintrospective 7 місяців тому +1

      I love that part. So wholesome. I’ve been so scared to go outside and just have an adventure.

  • @Christopher_S
    @Christopher_S Рік тому +510

    Even though I'll more than likely never have the need to follow this guide, there is something about watching a passionate and experienced person describe how to carry out a task. I find it inspiring to listen to this.

  • @wanderer.antonio
    @wanderer.antonio 10 місяців тому +160

    Got buckets, went outside, got dirt, got water, got filter.
    1 hour later I ended up with nice wet clay.
    Best part is that even if the filter isn't 100% filtering those sand sized particles, crafting with it requires them.
    The water that goes into the pure clay bucket can be reused over and over again.
    I wanted to see how much clay was lost to the water, and to my surprise it was none!
    This is some next level efficiency stuff.
    This is scalable...might even build a house with it someday and it's basically free!
    wow, thanks!

    • @daves2354
      @daves2354 4 місяці тому +4

      Look up videos on building with cob. Very labor intensive building technique but fascinating nonetheless! 👍

  • @kelliereads4409
    @kelliereads4409 8 місяців тому +38

    I was going to go to sleep but this video drew me in because it’s not just art, it’s science AND an adventure; i love it so much

  • @davidtinoco2484
    @davidtinoco2484 Рік тому +473

    Now THIS is original UA-cam content. So satisfying.

  • @srfirehorseart
    @srfirehorseart 2 роки тому +907

    Brick making used to be pretty common in my area (in England, UK) There are local disused Victorian kilns and places called Brickhill and Clay Hill, so I'm pretty sure it should be a good place to find clay soil. Thanks for all the tips!

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  2 роки тому +105

      Interesting, I often use abandoned brick clay quarries in my area to collect clay.

    • @PythonPlusPlus
      @PythonPlusPlus Рік тому +25

      To be honest, I think most of the dirt in the UK is clay.

    • @HighWealder
      @HighWealder Рік тому +8

      Yeah, I live on a hill made of clay, abandoned brick pits all over the place

    • @user-vo2bv9wp3q
      @user-vo2bv9wp3q Рік тому

      @@AncientPottery ججد ة//ضج

    • @omegabyte3541
      @omegabyte3541 Рік тому +2

      @@PythonPlusPlus very true a lot of dirt under the topsoil is clay

  • @vtothejade7452
    @vtothejade7452 5 місяців тому +27

    We are making Christmas presents this year. We also had to dig up a ton of red clay soil in our yard. My kids wanted to make gifts out of clay. Since we are broke, I looked up videos on how to utilize what we had in our yard.
    Your video was the BEST one! It is SO good that I was able to use it for homeschooling. We took notes and everything. The layout and instructions are so great.
    We are about to drain the water to see if there is any clay at the bottom. Wish us luck!

  • @topbrasstv8867
    @topbrasstv8867 9 місяців тому +11

    We have a powwow at the onigum native reservation every year, and there's all kinds of vendors selling blankets, hoodies, poncho's, drums, artwork, and especially clay pottery, there was a traveller who comes to the powwow every year selling handcrafted artwork that a group of Navajo women made out in Montana, I bought a jewelry box with The End of the Trail painted on it. I loved buying from this guy because he wasn't just selling it to make a buck, he was selling it so he could feed his people back home and make a living. Thank you for sharing your trades with the internet man, people could really learn a lot from you.

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  9 місяців тому +4

      Thanks, I also love supporting artists like that. I never buy Native art from dealers or shops but always buy from the artists themselves.

  • @pattiannepascual
    @pattiannepascual Рік тому +206

    This man's videos are priceless! He shows even poor people how to do things without having to buy stuff. He's not pushing us to buy a bunch of junk and teaching us skills,not only to make as gifts,but in a survival situation,could literally save your life

  • @accessibilityparent4048
    @accessibilityparent4048 Рік тому +169

    Fortunately, my mother knew how to do this, as she learned from her grandparents, how to make vessels from clay taken from the river. When I was a child, I would wade in the river and then sit up on the bank in the middle of the river where other people had taken clay and made structures drying in the sun. It was a rich blue-grey colored clay and was excellent for hand building, and probably would've done well on a wheel too.

  • @majorbrighton
    @majorbrighton 2 місяці тому +4

    So nice to hear you wanting to share the rather simplistic side of pottery that was never properly addressed
    when taking Pottery A-levels. A very important part of a process that becomes your own from the very start.
    Thank you ☺

  • @kumozaoYT
    @kumozaoYT 4 місяці тому +8

    Me who was disappointed on how i prob didnt have clay but after hearing the clay “how to find” part I learned i have the equivalent of a gold mine but in clay

  • @gururvardarler9933
    @gururvardarler9933 Рік тому +123

    I have never been interested in pottery in my life. But you have such a beautiful narration that I couldn't stop myself from watching the video.

  • @rosstemple7617
    @rosstemple7617 Рік тому +776

    How is it this was never taught in pottery class? We really need to keep all ties to the past. I always thought you had to find a creek bed or dig deep for clay. This was very informative

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Рік тому +52

      Thanks

    • @KKIcons
      @KKIcons Рік тому +24

      I am thankful we had the clay recycling thing happening at our studio. I loved to grab the white and black porcelain out of the buckets. I didnt know these tips so I had a lot more trouble with it though.

    • @annasolovyeva1013
      @annasolovyeva1013 Рік тому +22

      You have to dig for clay or find a river bank in many regions

    • @Moosetick2002
      @Moosetick2002 Рік тому +43

      That's what big clay wants you to think!

    • @munkqiking7207
      @munkqiking7207 Рік тому +14

      @@annasolovyeva1013 Indeed. I suspect it also has something to do with the quantity you are looking for

  • @pinkushatejar
    @pinkushatejar 8 місяців тому +4

    Man, living in Florida on a sandbar hasn't bummed me out until clayware became interesting

  • @snobird33
    @snobird33 10 місяців тому +15

    watched this last evening, ran out with shovel and pail at 10pm in full moonlight, got a pail of our dirt, sifted and left in water overnight. This morning added diatomaceous and wow, I have really beautiful clay. So excited to to go to the next step. Thank you so much for your channel!

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  10 місяців тому

      That's awesome

    • @DirtyGirlCharlie
      @DirtyGirlCharlie 6 місяців тому

      I love this! This is 100% me. My husband will come out after he & my son lay down for bed & he “catches” me playing in the dirt hahahah. He just looks at me like…wow. It’s my dirty little secret aye!

  • @dougberrett8094
    @dougberrett8094 Рік тому +283

    Very cool. Reminded me of about 65 years ago when I would collect clay from dried river bottoms. At school they told us where to get it. We did not process it other than getting it wet, rolling into rope like strings and then spiraling them to make pottery.

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Рік тому +34

      awesome, thanks for sharing.

    • @jessehunter362
      @jessehunter362 Рік тому +40

      the river has processed it for you!

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Рік тому +46

      @@jessehunter362 Exactly but it may need temper if the river processed it too well

    • @philipmeade18
      @philipmeade18 Рік тому +3

      The coil method I remember it well

    • @shirlebug
      @shirlebug Рік тому

      I use to get this red clay in Greensburg Louisiana on the old CC roads

  • @recless8667
    @recless8667 Рік тому +94

    For pounding/grinding on your countertop: Consider a molcajete. It's basically a gigantic mortar and pestle, literally designed for pounding things into a powder/paste.

  • @studioz_ink7929
    @studioz_ink7929 9 місяців тому +12

    Another note is that because clay sticks to itself so well, it can become a little hydrophobic-- it's not shown a lot in the video but when the water is mixed with dirt #1 it doesn't absorb the water as much or as fast as sandy or silty dirt would. This is why where I live in Northern California, we go from blazing wildfire to high floods in a matter of months-- the baked dirt, which is high in clay, doesn't absorb the heavy rainfall in the winter.

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  9 місяців тому +6

      Yes I am familiar with hydrophobic soils. Some clays are like that and sone aren’t. I used to fight forest fires and we often dealt with that problem.

    • @NeptunesOrca
      @NeptunesOrca 8 місяців тому

      This isn't quite "hydrophobic" behaviour, but rather the result of clays having very small pore sizes between the soil particles. This means that water takes a really long time to travel through the pore network of clayey soils, and also a really long time to absorb into it. Larger soil particles, such as sands, have much larger pore sizes, and can move water around much more quickly as a result.
      This has some really interesting consequences in civil engineering applications. For instance, if you lay a foundation or concrete slab on only sand, any water pressure changes happen almost instantly (I forget if it's measured in minutes or just under a day, but in either case, pretty negligible in terms of the lifespan of most foundations). On the other hand, if you lay the same foundation on a more clayey soil, the soil beneath might experience changes in pore water pressure over the course of months or even years. This then has to be accounted for with all kinds of lovely equations, and can cause a lot of problems with settling, which might not happen until it's long past the ability to change anything about the foundations.

  • @halthammerzeit
    @halthammerzeit Рік тому +13

    As a kid I often played with friends on cliff like hill side near our homes. It was 5 meters or more high and pure clay in 50% easy. Dough like consistence at times. Gonna take my kids for a clay hunt I guess. Great content!

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Рік тому +1

      So many of us played with wild clay as kids. Thanks

  • @justinmcgough3958
    @justinmcgough3958 Рік тому +103

    As someone living in Arizona, I've wondered where I could go to get my own clay for personal projects since everything is just sandy dirt around me. This video was just what I needed.

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Рік тому +5

      Awesome, I am glad it helped you out.

    • @syvvieon
      @syvvieon Рік тому +5

      Lucky. I live in Florida and we just have sand

    • @snakewithapen5489
      @snakewithapen5489 Рік тому +2

      @@syvvieon same! This makes me so sad lol. Our dirt isn't even dirt even inland, its mostly brownish sand

    • @mathew00
      @mathew00 Рік тому +7

      I live in Florida too. If you want clay just go down to your local river or stream with a shovel. Take some of the dirt hear the edge of the water. You should get loads of clay. I've done this with my son at the St. Johns River and Lake Monroe.

    • @syvvieon
      @syvvieon Рік тому

      @@mathew00 I can see! I live pretty close to the shore so a lot of waterways around here are either sandy creeks or beaches, but I think I have a few ideas of less sandy spots

  • @KaelWrit
    @KaelWrit Рік тому +28

    Once when I was a kid I dug a deep hole and found clay. As a city kid it blew my mind, I thought of clay as something people make. My Mom didnt even believe me lol.

  • @shootingshitaustralia4036
    @shootingshitaustralia4036 8 місяців тому +9

    I don’t need to buy or make it cos like less than one shovel scoop down you hit solid f$cking clay on our property. Putting posts and other stuff in the ground is an absolute pain.

  • @jennibeck1
    @jennibeck1 9 місяців тому +2

    I love how you respond to most (if not all) of your comments. It really shows that you care... and subscribed!

  • @joek81981
    @joek81981 Рік тому +78

    I work at an adult day program, and our art director pays through the nose for clay that looks just like yours, every month. Like hundreds and hundreds of dollars a month.

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Рік тому +18

      No doubt.

    • @celebratedeth362
      @celebratedeth362 Рік тому +5

      The clay you pay for probably doesn't have chemical runoff in it from the vehicles driving over it.

    • @maxdecphoenix
      @maxdecphoenix Рік тому +9

      @@celebratedeth362 unless you plan on eating the clay, that really isn't a problem. Unfortunatly the bacteria hosted by the moisture and organic bits mixed in could kill you faster.

    • @iwritechecksatthegrocerystore
      @iwritechecksatthegrocerystore Рік тому +7

      Sounds like the answer is to start making your own and sell it to him for a little less

  • @moroteseoinage
    @moroteseoinage Рік тому +36

    I was on a horizontal drilling site this week and the soil was 20 feet deep of layers of red and yellow claw. There was one inch that was a very fine homogeneous waxy clay, too. Made me think about pottery. I couldn't stop picking up chunks and squeezing them.

  • @nataliaregina3094
    @nataliaregina3094 Рік тому +1

    Thank You! I took Horticulture at college and I loved learning about the different types of soil - like loamy, sandy or clay types!

  • @henrynnuji8684
    @henrynnuji8684 4 місяці тому

    For the first time i actually processed my own clay after watching this video.
    So straight to the point and easy to understand!!! Thanks for the video.

  • @atourinabarkho
    @atourinabarkho Рік тому +129

    I love this man SO much. He is whole heartedly human still and that is sadly hard to come by these days.

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Рік тому +15

      🤭

    • @Joe-nu4rm
      @Joe-nu4rm Рік тому +11

      As an artist, I really appreciate raw passion without material or superficial motivation.

    • @rahmspinat
      @rahmspinat Рік тому +2

      Yeah, probably was easier in the middle ages or in WWII, right?

  • @jasongannon7676
    @jasongannon7676 2 роки тому +114

    I'm having a lot of fun exploring native clays in my area. And it costs little to do so. Thanks Andy for the inspiration and knowledge about this process.

  • @exion101
    @exion101 Місяць тому +1

    Heck yeah! I've wondered about how to "make" clay for years but never looked it up. This was an incredibly useful video, nicely done!

  • @williambarrett9187
    @williambarrett9187 2 місяці тому

    This was such a random video to pop up on my feed, and I am very glad I watched it. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

  • @wendygreene9741
    @wendygreene9741 2 роки тому +247

    Andy, thank you so much for all your efforts in creating these videos. They are so informative and easy to follow, as well such an asset in learning about primitive pottery. I just harvested my first batch of wild clay and will be using the sample #1 method. I really appreciate you sharing your years of experience that aid in me having great results the first time. I fired a pot yesterday and the process was effortless thanks to your videos.

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  2 роки тому +16

      So glad that you are able to learn something from my videos. Thanks!

  • @Cynder757
    @Cynder757 Рік тому +79

    I've been having a weird breakdown for the past hour or so but watching this has calmed me and it's been fun learning about clay
    So thanks ♥

  • @Ashlin-gq9hf
    @Ashlin-gq9hf Місяць тому

    Thank you so much❤!! I really couldn't understand all the other videos on yt but urs were really of big help to me .thank you for the detailed explanation on different type of soil and the process.

  • @Fudgeey
    @Fudgeey Рік тому +28

    I'm gonna do this. I'm in the US south, there's so much red clay here, I can't even grow a garden without heavy amendments. But I'd be happy to find some use for the soil we have.
    Also, literally every step here are the same steps we'd use to make bread or tofu in the kitchen. It's shockingly similar, down to the muslin bag, or in your case, a pillowcase.

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Рік тому +8

      There are many parallels between baking and ceramics.

  • @Asecrethe6969
    @Asecrethe6969 Рік тому +34

    If I knew this as a kid me and my friends would have our own homemade house 😂

  • @renoavalanche9657
    @renoavalanche9657 12 днів тому

    Thank you so much for making this video, Andy. It was entertaining and educational and easy to understand. And you just seem like a really cool person.
    You’re right about getting outside. I miss my childhood when I lived out in the country.

  • @jerrysanchez5453
    @jerrysanchez5453 Місяць тому

    Fantastic video.finally feel like it's been explained in a way I understand enough I feel confident to go out and get my own

  • @jonolasco
    @jonolasco Рік тому +32

    You know, I've never dabbled into pottery whatsoever but I felt very compelled to watch this and was not disappointed.
    I'm familiar with soil and clay because of my background on civil engineering and I love seeing how different compositions that are no good for construction can be used in other ways.

  • @InvictusByz
    @InvictusByz Рік тому +40

    I just came back by to say I've just done my first clay-finding excursion and it was a success! I admit, I had geography very much on my side, as clay is literally everywhere in my area of Tennessee, but it was such a thrill! I tried just dry processing by hand and made a kindergarten quality pinch pot right there on the spot. I'm trying the levigating process now, to see if it yields a better, more useable clay.
    Thanks so much! This video was a fantastic motivation to get me to try something I can really feel proud of, whether my first attempt yields success or failure.

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Рік тому +11

      That's awesome, I am glad I could help. Have fun with that Tennessee clay!

    • @seronymus
      @seronymus Рік тому

      Orthodox Tennessee when?

  • @eliasaguirre5313
    @eliasaguirre5313 2 місяці тому

    Great video Andy.
    I appreciate the life tips about screens and adventuring also. It resonated.

  • @GhostE_
    @GhostE_ 9 місяців тому +8

    This is so fun and easy to make!
    I love how he shows us how to make clay with cheap and accessible tools

  • @juddakooda9520
    @juddakooda9520 Рік тому +5

    The information from your channel is so amazing. I’ve grown a love for plants and wanted more pots but wanted them to be more sentimental and close to me. Making my own pots is something I’m working towards and you’re helping every step of the way!!!!!!

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Рік тому

      That’s awesome, I would love to see your plant pots when you get some done. I love plants too.

  • @Beschaulichkeit
    @Beschaulichkeit Рік тому +4

    I feel lucky to have found your channel today. Your message and your presentation are fabulous and I'm excited to share this with my wife and her students!

  • @rahkim
    @rahkim 23 дні тому

    thank you I plan to share this activity with my children. you're awesome!

  • @chickengodd6131
    @chickengodd6131 4 місяці тому +1

    Thank you for your friendly advice. I have still many years to live and this advice is always gonna be usefull

  • @manpreetkaur-jx4mh
    @manpreetkaur-jx4mh Рік тому +4

    Thankyou so so much for this, i was thinking of trying pottery but i just couldn't find the clay for it and frankly as a newbie i kept wondering why ordinary dirt wouldn't work, so thankyou so much for this ❤️❤️

  • @kaissos5
    @kaissos5 Рік тому +9

    I'm so glad I stumbled upon this! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and passion!

  • @daveepperson885
    @daveepperson885 8 місяців тому +3

    Always a pleasure to watch a true craftsman teach the elements of the craft. Thank you, keep up the great work.

  • @Lupastakinng
    @Lupastakinng 15 днів тому

    Now this is exactly what I was looking for, Thank you so much this helps alot, I am trying it out right now.

  • @siggyvdz8213
    @siggyvdz8213 Рік тому +16

    In agronomy we have a test called "black pudding / cylindrical object" (boudin in french) that enable us to estimate if the clay level is under or above 20%.
    Take a hand of soil, put lot of water, malaxe it and try to make a ring with that. If the ring break soon that mostly sand (you can feel the grains cripsy), if you cant close the ring but only an half moon and there is cracks that limon mostly (the texture is soft and slidy) and if the ring can be closed that full of clay :)

  • @patterson1rox
    @patterson1rox Рік тому +14

    At first, I thought... yeah! clay stuff, but you have really opened up a whole new world to me!! THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO!!!🤩

  • @95Gabe
    @95Gabe 3 місяці тому

    This popped up on my UA-cam feed and I clicked on it without any expectations. It was a fascinating look into a ubiquitous material that most of us barely even give a second look. I knew clay was out there to be found, but I did not know it was available on the tops of fields, etc. I thought you had to go scrabbling around river banks and such.
    I did pottery when I was at school so very long ago, this kinda fired up a long-lost interest. Thank you.

  • @CyberDame
    @CyberDame Рік тому +13

    You've been the best at explaining the whole process. Thanks for charing.

  • @rickhart6631
    @rickhart6631 Рік тому +10

    Andy, just found your channel. Very interesting stuff as an outdoor survivalist. Never knew how to process my own clay for building, now i do. Absolutely, fantastic stuff.

  • @veruch_302
    @veruch_302 Рік тому +3

    i remember looking for pieces of clay with my friends when we were like 5 lol
    when you dig into dirt in certain areas you can find plain pieces of clay really, just need to clean it

  • @user-od2dk2cp3b
    @user-od2dk2cp3b 6 місяців тому

    I love when you make videos like this, thanks for the guide.

  • @thomashoitsma9203
    @thomashoitsma9203 Рік тому +9

    Watched you for the first time . 8 am and subscribed 2 mins in . Grew up beside a gravel pit and forgot how important those little adventures were to for self fulfilment and personal wealth of knowledge . You have a gift to educator and inspire young sir

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Рік тому

      Thank you, kids know it but we often forget as we grow up.

  • @Mally99
    @Mally99 Рік тому +7

    Wow, this was amazing to watch. Thank you for educating us on how to make clay the right way!

  • @plaguedoctor8180
    @plaguedoctor8180 Рік тому +4

    Wholesome, outstanding effort, and honest work.
    I'll definitely be watching more of this sort'a stuff.
    Keep it up, my man.

  • @A10Cobra
    @A10Cobra 4 місяці тому

    The 20% sand tip was excellent. My young daughter and I processed clay a few years back and we struggled with it cracking. Thanks for the tip!

  • @IsaacNelson54
    @IsaacNelson54 Місяць тому +1

    “Remember, being on the Internet all day is not good for you.”
    Very glad you point this out. Also clay is like dough. I love seeing the chemical reactions in this world and learning all the different terminology for certain sciences.

  • @RejPoirier
    @RejPoirier 2 роки тому +32

    Thanks for this info Andy. I was out this week rockhounding with my son, looking for sapphires and other cool gems, but found myself also collecting bagfuls of different clays as it had just rained there. I've just started processing it now so this video is quite timely. (pillow case trick will save me heaps of time) I've got a lovely light tan clay which I'm hoping fires a nice pale colour as well. Cheers from Oz!

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  2 роки тому +3

      That sounds awesome, I'm glad my video was able to help you.

  • @bambamdubster
    @bambamdubster Рік тому +3

    Liked and subscribed not only because you made a great video but you suggested to go out and adventure! More people need to hear that and I love that you added that message to your video. Thanks for the amazing content!

  • @anthonyodom7691
    @anthonyodom7691 21 день тому

    Got a sub from me. You're articulate, well spoken and to the point! Thanks man

  • @CPentee-wq6lq
    @CPentee-wq6lq Рік тому +2

    So far, this has been the most useful source for processing wild clay. Thanks for the content!

  • @kysmik8214
    @kysmik8214 Рік тому +4

    I am so excited to have run across this video! I bought a farm in a town that was, at one time, well known for their red bricks that they made from the clay in the groundy Most of the old buildings still standing are made from those old red bricks and I love getting to see the few that remain. I find red clay everywhere on my farm so I am stoked!!!!

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Рік тому

      You are very blest, I hope you can find a good use for all your clay.

  • @user-rt6xp7jz4q
    @user-rt6xp7jz4q Рік тому +61

    Your vids are so informative and valuable, it's a wonder you don't have millions of followers !

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Рік тому +5

      I would love to have a million subs, maybe some day. Thanks!

    • @kailashbtw9103
      @kailashbtw9103 Рік тому +1

      i was truly impressed by the depth of knowledge and how easy he explained it!

  • @newagelumberjack9292
    @newagelumberjack9292 10 місяців тому +2

    This is freaking incredible. I am learning to process wild clay for a friend who’s in school for ceramics. This taught me so much

  • @cristymenapace677
    @cristymenapace677 8 місяців тому

    I’m absolutely in love with your channel…you explain every step thoroughly…much appreciated ❤️

  • @yammoyammamoto8323
    @yammoyammamoto8323 Рік тому +7

    I love how you go out to dig for clay - and don't even bring a small gardening trowel. :D
    Keeping it simple for the viewer. :)

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Рік тому +4

      Ha ha, if only it were that I was thinking of the viewer. In reality I forgot to bring something and it was a long way back or even to a hardware store where I could buy something so just make do.

  • @lucasmoreel8126
    @lucasmoreel8126 8 місяців тому +10

    Thank you so much ! I managed two batches of clay already with dirt from my garden with little effort ! Your video changed how I see the ground/soil

  • @sablemoreno5095
    @sablemoreno5095 3 місяці тому

    This was super informative thanks! I had been kicking around the idea trying to make/gather my own clay for a long time but never actually got around to doing it because i wasnt sure what difference from harvested vs store bought was.

  • @ace-qt5cs
    @ace-qt5cs 11 місяців тому

    the outside is lovely and this really works!

  • @theazjones
    @theazjones Рік тому +5

    I've been studying Ancient cultures like the Hohokam, and this is something I've been wanting to know. Thank you. Well done.

  • @salvardesign
    @salvardesign Рік тому +7

    This is amazing. New favourite channel. I’ve always been intrigued by pottery. Also primitive creations. ❤️

  • @daniel-lp6gw
    @daniel-lp6gw 21 день тому

    was looking up how to make some aimple diy plant vases and now i'm motivated to go dig up clay and make my own

  • @keeganhendricks1790
    @keeganhendricks1790 Рік тому +6

    Hi man .Super inspiring what you said about going on your own adventure to get some clay .
    I showed my son this and his mind was blown ,now we collect different types to make nice clean clay using your methods
    Mad props to yeh

  • @p.kuansuwan2070
    @p.kuansuwan2070 Рік тому +15

    Great video! Very informative and well paced. BTW, I love the part where you encouraged people to go outside.

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Рік тому +2

      Thank you, I hate to think of people sitting around all day watching my videos, hopefully I can encourage people to get outdoors.

  • @jennyfranklin514
    @jennyfranklin514 7 місяців тому +1

    Love your stuff. I need to get back with you on my clay collecting, and how it went. A definite adventure. Thanks so much for sharing

  • @-_acally_-
    @-_acally_- 6 місяців тому

    New experience learned from dirts,so amazing and exciting videos that shows how different the dirts is.
    it is kind of science.

  • @sunwu101
    @sunwu101 2 роки тому +5

    Great job on talking about the clay content in different soils. This is definitely something to consider. I'd like to add that silt also forms that crackle texture in flat surfaces, however upon grabbing a sample it falls apart into fine powder, whereas clay would keep it shape, or break off in chunks. Best way to improve clay ID skills is to watch Andy's vids and go dirt hunting and testing! Keep up the great work Andy.

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  2 роки тому +2

      Hmm, I am skeptical. After 30+ years of looking for clay I can't say I have ever seen silt form cracks like that unless that silt had a small amount of clay in it, in which case it is easy to tell from the texture (as you say). Anyway thanks for watching and commenting.

  • @jackiegrant410
    @jackiegrant410 2 роки тому +3

    Wow, so fascinating, love listening to you teaching, I’ve learnt so much. I’m a beginner, this is helping me to create for me! ❤️

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  2 роки тому +1

      You are so welcome! I am glad you are able to learn from my videos.

  • @TreeBrings
    @TreeBrings 3 місяці тому +1

    Such a great video, thanks for much for sharing! I can't wait to go out and have a little foraging adventure to find materials for my pottery. ❤

  • @ZLP-TM
    @ZLP-TM Рік тому +9

    Really cool stuff, I really wish you'd expand on this type or video format more where you explain nature fundamentals people don't nessesarily know much about

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Рік тому +7

      Too many of us are far removed from nature. Thanks

  • @chandlerurenda5869
    @chandlerurenda5869 Рік тому +3

    This is a really informative video, thank you so much for teaching us these techniques!
    You got yourself a new subscriber there bud :)

  • @quackelstheduck2040
    @quackelstheduck2040 3 місяці тому

    I was literally thinking about this video the other day and it just showed up in my recommendations!

  • @thepast6182
    @thepast6182 5 місяців тому +1

    Great video! Honest, informative and just good ole genuine advice. Thank you!

  • @ValhallaIronworks
    @ValhallaIronworks Рік тому +14

    This is exactly the kind of UA-cam content I love. Clear, objective, thorough. Absolutely love it. Thank you for making this!

  • @nathansizemore7334
    @nathansizemore7334 Рік тому +6

    Wow. Didn’t know it was that easy. Great video production by the way!

  • @isoinic4575
    @isoinic4575 7 місяців тому

    One of the best internet videos i have seen. Great topic, good quality and especially shout out to remerbing people to have their own outside adventures.
    Keep it up