Description
Standard 710, or Dark Brown Stoneware is a dark brown smooth clay body. It is about the color of milk chocolate and is colored with manganese dioxide. We suggest this clay for intermediate to advanced students. Shrinkage at Cone 5:13% It is the same as Standard 266 except that 710 has a little less grog.
Students may sign up for pick up and drop off times here.
Grog is pre-fired crushed clay. It is about the size and consistency of sand. Grog is added to
clay bodies to reduce shrinkage and increase the strength of the clay during drying. Since
grogged clay bodies dry more slowly, they are less likely to crack during drying. Grogged clay
bodies are suggested for sculptures and projects which vary in thickness. We highly
recommend that beginners start with a grogged clay body.
Ungrogged clay bodies are smoother, and generally less abrasive on potters’ hands and
fingernails. Clay bodies without grog are more difficult to use but provide smoother finished
surfaces.
Shrinkage: All clay shrinks as it dries, then shrinks again during firing. Clay shrinkage is
published by clay manufacturers as a percentage, which includes both drying shrinkage, and
firing shrinkage. Clay that shrinks more quickly or has a higher percentage of shrinkage is more
likely to crack during drying and firing.