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

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  • čas přidán 28. 04. 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
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Komentáře • 3,6K

  • @dbzsuperfan711
    @dbzsuperfan711 Před rokem +7684

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

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Před rokem +1216

      "The clay guy"

    • @misterkaos.357
      @misterkaos.357 Před rokem +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 Před rokem +262

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

    • @mateocucurull9598
      @mateocucurull9598 Před rokem +31

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

    • @ValentinePro11
      @ValentinePro11 Před rokem +10

      Lol same

  • @gcvrsa
    @gcvrsa Před rokem +1411

    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 Před 8 měsíci +76

      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 Před 7 měsíci +66

      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 Před 7 měsíci +7

      @@NeptunesOrca nice information, thank you

    • @arcaears
      @arcaears Před 7 měsíci +30

      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 Před 7 měsíci +8

      ​@@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 Před 8 měsíci +160

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

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Před 7 měsíci +10

      Glad I could provide a few minutes of diversion

  • @Justin-Outdoors
    @Justin-Outdoors Před 8 měsíci +477

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

    • @abhaybhatt4286
      @abhaybhatt4286 Před 7 měsíci +60

      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 Před 4 měsíci +7

      100% efficiency
      0 limitations

    • @LARKXHIN
      @LARKXHIN Před 3 měsíci +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 Před 2 měsíci +4

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

    • @Treblaine
      @Treblaine Před 2 měsíci +1

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

  • @prezzie1
    @prezzie1 Před rokem +2577

    This is what CZcams 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 Před rokem +1207

    CZcams 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  Před rokem +66

      You are most welcome

    • @rockovahsacralonte570
      @rockovahsacralonte570 Před 11 měsíci +1

      They Greys are doing that to you!

    • @Stamation
      @Stamation Před 10 měsíci +3

      There’s clay in my backyard

    • @itsargonlol
      @itsargonlol Před 8 měsíci +1

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

    • @peggedyourdad9560
      @peggedyourdad9560 Před 8 měsíci +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 Před 7 měsíci +20

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

  • @wanderer.antonio
    @wanderer.antonio Před 9 měsíci +154

    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 Před 3 měsíci +3

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

  • @verebellus
    @verebellus Před rokem +573

    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  Před rokem +32

      Thanks!

    • @michellelester243
      @michellelester243 Před 7 měsíci +4

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

    • @gettingintrospective
      @gettingintrospective Před 7 měsíci +1

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

  • @Christopher_S
    @Christopher_S Před rokem +507

    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.

  • @kelliereads4409
    @kelliereads4409 Před 8 měsíci +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

  • @kumozaoYT
    @kumozaoYT Před 3 měsíci +7

    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

  • @davidtinoco2484
    @davidtinoco2484 Před rokem +473

    Now THIS is original CZcams content. So satisfying.

  • @pattiannepascual
    @pattiannepascual Před rokem +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

  • @rainy-3322
    @rainy-3322 Před 6 měsíci +25

    “Go Outside And Touch Dirt”

  • @pinkushatejar
    @pinkushatejar Před 7 měsíci +4

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

  • @srfirehorseart
    @srfirehorseart Před 2 lety +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  Před 2 lety +105

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

    • @PythonPlusPlus
      @PythonPlusPlus Před rokem +25

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

    • @HighWealder
      @HighWealder Před rokem +8

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

    • @user-vo2bv9wp3q
      @user-vo2bv9wp3q Před rokem

      @@AncientPottery ججد ة//ضج

    • @omegabyte3541
      @omegabyte3541 Před rokem +2

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

  • @gururvardarler9933
    @gururvardarler9933 Před rokem +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.

  • @vtothejade7452
    @vtothejade7452 Před 4 měsíci +26

    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 Před 9 měsíci +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  Před 9 měsíci +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.

  • @accessibilityparent4048
    @accessibilityparent4048 Před rokem +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.

  • @rosstemple7617
    @rosstemple7617 Před rokem +775

    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  Před rokem +52

      Thanks

    • @KKIcons
      @KKIcons Před rokem +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 Před rokem +22

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

    • @Moosetick2002
      @Moosetick2002 Před rokem +43

      That's what big clay wants you to think!

    • @munkqiking7207
      @munkqiking7207 Před rokem +14

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

  • @snobird33
    @snobird33 Před 10 měsíci +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  Před 9 měsíci

      That's awesome

    • @DirtyGirlCharlie
      @DirtyGirlCharlie Před 6 měsíci

      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!

  • @majorbrighton
    @majorbrighton Před měsícem +3

    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 ☺

  • @dougberrett8094
    @dougberrett8094 Před rokem +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  Před rokem +34

      awesome, thanks for sharing.

    • @jessehunter362
      @jessehunter362 Před rokem +40

      the river has processed it for you!

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Před rokem +46

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

    • @philipmeade18
      @philipmeade18 Před rokem +3

      The coil method I remember it well

    • @shirlebug
      @shirlebug Před rokem

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

  • @KaelWrit
    @KaelWrit Před rokem +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.

  • @IsaacNelson54
    @IsaacNelson54 Před 23 dny +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.

  • @ashg7219
    @ashg7219 Před 6 dny +1

    One of the relatively few positives about living in rural Iowa is that the soil is so rich, we don't have to amend it to use it and you can see and feel the pure, light brown clay if you do any amount of digging. I'll be using your method today though! And I very much appreciate the video!! 😁❤

  • @recless8667
    @recless8667 Před rokem +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.

  • @justinmcgough3958
    @justinmcgough3958 Před rokem +102

    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  Před rokem +5

      Awesome, I am glad it helped you out.

    • @syvvieon
      @syvvieon Před rokem +5

      Lucky. I live in Florida and we just have sand

    • @snakewithapen5489
      @snakewithapen5489 Před rokem +2

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

    • @mathew00
      @mathew00 Před rokem +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 Před rokem

      @@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

  • @thomashoitsma9203
    @thomashoitsma9203 Před 11 měsíci +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  Před 11 měsíci

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

  • @halthammerzeit
    @halthammerzeit Před rokem +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  Před rokem +1

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

  • @moroteseoinage
    @moroteseoinage Před rokem +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.

  • @joek81981
    @joek81981 Před rokem +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  Před rokem +18

      No doubt.

    • @celebratedeth362
      @celebratedeth362 Před rokem +5

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

    • @maxdecphoenix
      @maxdecphoenix Před rokem +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 Před rokem +7

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

  • @CyberDame
    @CyberDame Před rokem +13

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

  • @lucasmoreel8126
    @lucasmoreel8126 Před 7 měsíci +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

  • @jasongannon7676
    @jasongannon7676 Před 2 lety +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.

  • @Cynder757
    @Cynder757 Před rokem +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 ♥

  • @studioz_ink7929
    @studioz_ink7929 Před 9 měsíci +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  Před 9 měsíci +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 Před 7 měsíci

      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.

  • @wendygreene9741
    @wendygreene9741 Před 2 lety +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  Před 2 lety +16

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

  • @jonolasco
    @jonolasco Před rokem +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.

  • @DudokX
    @DudokX Před měsícem +2

    Oh, now I understand why 90% of pots we made as kids cracked! We just used clay from a river which was excellent to work with but we never knew about the temper. But at least I've learned how to make charcoal at home from dry wood.

  • @GhostE_
    @GhostE_ Před 8 měsíci +8

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

  • @atourinabarkho
    @atourinabarkho Před rokem +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  Před rokem +15

      🤭

    • @Joe-nu4rm
      @Joe-nu4rm Před rokem +11

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

    • @rahmspinat
      @rahmspinat Před rokem +2

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

  • @Asecrethe6969
    @Asecrethe6969 Před rokem +34

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

  • @veruch_302
    @veruch_302 Před rokem +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

  • @jennibeck1
    @jennibeck1 Před 8 měsíci +2

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

  • @Fudgeey
    @Fudgeey Před rokem +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  Před rokem +8

      There are many parallels between baking and ceramics.

  • @InvictusByz
    @InvictusByz Před rokem +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  Před rokem +11

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

    • @seronymus
      @seronymus Před rokem

      Orthodox Tennessee when?

  • @brianbrewster6532
    @brianbrewster6532 Před 8 měsíci +1

    I kind of played extensively with clay as a little boy in front of my parent's house making "mud pies" out of the mud along our street after it rained a lot. I appreciate the tempering tip about adding clay. Great job!

  • @daveepperson885
    @daveepperson885 Před 7 měsíci +3

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

  • @yammoyammamoto8323
    @yammoyammamoto8323 Před rokem +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  Před rokem +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.

  • @user-rt6xp7jz4q
    @user-rt6xp7jz4q Před rokem +61

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

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Před rokem +5

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

    • @kailashbtw9103
      @kailashbtw9103 Před rokem +1

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

  • @exion101
    @exion101 Před měsícem +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!

  • @siggyvdz8213
    @siggyvdz8213 Před rokem +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 :)

  • @ValhallaIronworks
    @ValhallaIronworks Před rokem +14

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

  • @rahkim
    @rahkim Před 6 dny

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

  • @Ashlin-gq9hf
    @Ashlin-gq9hf Před 27 dny

    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.

  • @stoneofsteel6579
    @stoneofsteel6579 Před rokem +3

    Without this tutorial, my minecraft modded survival world wouldn't have survived

  • @patterson1rox
    @patterson1rox Před rokem +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!!!🤩

  • @shootingshitaustralia4036
    @shootingshitaustralia4036 Před 7 měsíci +8

    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.

  • @ScottLucian
    @ScottLucian Před 7 měsíci +1

    This is seriously amazing!

  • @RejPoirier
    @RejPoirier Před 2 lety +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  Před 2 lety +3

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

  • @p.kuansuwan2070
    @p.kuansuwan2070 Před rokem +15

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

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Před rokem +2

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

  • @eliasaguirre5313
    @eliasaguirre5313 Před 2 měsíci

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

  • @nataliaregina3094
    @nataliaregina3094 Před 11 měsíci +1

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

  • @MrLachupakabra
    @MrLachupakabra Před 2 lety +43

    You're definitely an authority on clay! Thank you for the great content! I'm starting to catch the bug for gardening and hope to create some (probably outdoor) planters by hand from clay sourced in the front/back yard (GAs finest). Your videos have been super helpful in making this feasible.

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Před 2 lety +6

      Thanks, glad to hear you are benefiting from my videos. I hear that Georgia has some really great clay.

    • @KKIcons
      @KKIcons Před rokem

      I have seen some of the prettiest reds near Resaka or Calhoun Ga.

  • @rickhart6631
    @rickhart6631 Před rokem +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.

  • @ashtonbrumbaugh6853
    @ashtonbrumbaugh6853 Před 14 dny +1

    Essential information, definitely earned a sub! Sharing this everywhere

  • @cristymenapace677
    @cristymenapace677 Před 7 měsíci

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

  • @donniewatson9120
    @donniewatson9120 Před rokem +3

    Here in East Texas we have a lot of red clay. It usually can be found around one to five feet below the top soil. It's has a high concentration of iron oxide in it, which is why it's red. It is what we hit when digging post holes that is very difficult to dig through in the dry season but, unlike rock, is relatively easy to dig through in the we season. That is why we may add water to a post hole in development that needs to be deeper. I have taken advantage of this knowledge to get clay a few times.

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Před rokem

      I wonder if all that red clay is any good for pottery

    • @donniewatson9120
      @donniewatson9120 Před rokem

      @@AncientPottery, that's a good question. I only have heard of people make fired bricks out of it. Not sure how good they were.

  • @kaissos5
    @kaissos5 Před rokem +9

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

  • @ace-qt5cs
    @ace-qt5cs Před 10 měsíci

    the outside is lovely and this really works!

  • @anthonyodom7691
    @anthonyodom7691 Před 5 dny

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

  • @Beschaulichkeit
    @Beschaulichkeit Před rokem +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!

  • @katrina.vivianne
    @katrina.vivianne Před měsícem +2

    This is so fun and educational to watch!

  • @thegenrl
    @thegenrl Před 8 měsíci

    Video is awesome, start to finish. Thank you clear and detailed explanations

  • @juddakooda9520
    @juddakooda9520 Před rokem +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  Před rokem

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

  • @Sarcastican_
    @Sarcastican_ Před rokem +3

    I don't know anything about clay nor CZcams recommended me this, but I'm glad to be here.

  • @henrynnuji8684
    @henrynnuji8684 Před 3 měsíci

    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.

  • @salvardesign
    @salvardesign Před rokem +7

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

  • @Mally99
    @Mally99 Před rokem +7

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

  • @Messoniz
    @Messoniz Před 8 měsíci +1

    Thank you, this was such a inspiring and helpfull video!!!

  • @jerrysanchez5453
    @jerrysanchez5453 Před 24 dny

    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

  • @plaguedoctor8180
    @plaguedoctor8180 Před rokem +4

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

  • @GIASECONDO1
    @GIASECONDO1 Před rokem +4

    This video was suggested to me by youtube. I do share the view of the other commentators about how interestingly original this video is. God bless you. Greeting from Morocco.

  • @thepast6182
    @thepast6182 Před 5 měsíci +1

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

  • @andabien3
    @andabien3 Před měsícem

    I just love the simple techniques he uses: build a simple trough with bricks, right on the ground, line it with cloth, pour the solution into it and wait for the water to drain out.

  • @ariochiv
    @ariochiv Před rokem +4

    I always wondered why Primitive Technology added pottery dust to his clay... now I know! Thanks for this detailed guide and explanations.

  • @theazjones
    @theazjones Před rokem +5

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

  • @williambarrett9187
    @williambarrett9187 Před 2 měsíci

    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.

  • @AyshaA-ml2rd
    @AyshaA-ml2rd Před 2 měsíci +1

    Thank you ♥️
    You’re awesome.

  • @manpreetkaur-jx4mh
    @manpreetkaur-jx4mh Před rokem +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 ❤️❤️

  • @kysmik8214
    @kysmik8214 Před rokem +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  Před rokem

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

  • @TreeBrings
    @TreeBrings Před 3 měsíci +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. ❤

  • @bambamdubster
    @bambamdubster Před rokem +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!

  • @insertphrasehere15
    @insertphrasehere15 Před rokem +5

    As a geologist, there is a field test used to identify if a soil is 'plastic' or not. From dry you slowly add moisture and attempt to roll the soil in the palm of the hand to form a 6mm thick 'thread'. At too low a moisture content it will crack apart before getting to 6mm and at too high it will 'smear' without rolling into a thread.
    A non-plastic soil will begin to smear before you are able to roll it into a 6mm thread (i.e. there is no moisture content where a 6mm thread will be able to be rolled). A more highly plastic soil will have a larger range or moisture contents where a 6mm thread can be rolled.
    In practice though; if it feels like clay, it has a lot of clay content :D
    I will say that the amount of silt content can be deceptive in hand sample. Even a small clay content of 10-15 percent is enough to make a soil highly plastic; because of this, I would levigate all the soil I collect unless very pure.
    There is a field test that you can do to determine how much silt is in a sample. Simply put a tiny amount of your 'clay' between your front teeth and feel for how gritty it is. A pure clay won't feel gritty at all, and a soil with lots of silt will feel like sand between the teeth, even if it feels super smooth in your hands.

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Před rokem +3

      Thanks for the insider info on field soil tests. definitely appreciated.

  • @swisswildpicsswp3095
    @swisswildpicsswp3095 Před 10 měsíci

    Dude. Your channel is gold!

  • @laddcraner4170
    @laddcraner4170 Před 4 měsíci

    Great content, thank you for your knowledge and your time!!

  • @sinzones3909
    @sinzones3909 Před rokem +5

    aaa thank you!! ive been wanting to get into creating clay figures as a hobby, but i don’t have the money to constantly buy clay. this is really helpful and motivates me to get more into it!

    • @AncientPottery
      @AncientPottery  Před rokem

      You are welcome, glad to help. Pottery does not need to cost money