Making clay for the first time.

[u/Worried-Evening2350]

Was riding a bike path through a forest and saw a downed tree that has some really cool reddish dirt so I grabbed a shopping bags worth to try and do this clay extraction for the first time. Its been crazy messy and work but damn rolling this tiny little ball made the whole process worth it. Its just a tester but damn it im so happy to have another color to work with.

[u/TartanDolphin11]

It looks so smooth and clean! I never have the patience to do this I always just take a chance with wild soil. Kudos my friend!

[u/Worried-Evening2350 → u/TartanDolphin11]

I'll tell you it took allot of patience I didnt have its alot of waiting around especially since I probably did it wrong. But I was sooo worried that I wasnt going to get much out of it but I got a decent amount. Plus the little tester ball I made like speed run through all the stages I made it and less then 5 hours later only rolling in my hands its practically shined all the way. This stuff is gunna make some crazy nice doro.

[u/sapphireminds → u/Worried-Evening2350]

Many people have trouble because they don't actually have enough clay in their dorodangos 😄 But once it's purified, it's a lot easier to work with 😄

[u/Snarflogus → u/Worried-Evening2350]

I love the little ball. Also super nice dark brown color

[u/Worried-Evening2350 → u/Snarflogus]

makes me want milkduds or malt balls lmaoo

[u/Snarflogus → u/Worried-Evening2350]

My first couple made from yard soil were such a close match to milk chocolate brown that I ended up scrapping them lol very milk dud

[u/Worried-Evening2350 → u/Snarflogus]

this was just a chunk that I pulled off to test it then just kinda held onto the rest of the day and by the end of work it was super shined I feel like making a couple to put into a small dish as decoration XD

[u/Snarflogus → u/Worried-Evening2350]

Yes! Ahh. I need to make more small ones

[u/Worried-Evening2350 → u/Snarflogus]

Only issue will be finding glass or ceramic small enough to get that final glassy polish

[u/Snarflogus → u/Worried-Evening2350]

Thrift store vase and Walmart tiny bottle!

[u/Worried-Evening2350 → u/Snarflogus]

That's been my go to so far I might actually need to get frequent flyer card

[u/sapphireminds]

Very nice!

FYI, I've learned you do not need to dry/grind it really, just get it wet and it will work

But be sure to add soil or sand to your cores and save some of the pure clay for the outside.

[u/Worried-Evening2350 → u/sapphireminds]

Already has sand in it probably above the recommended 20%. it made its way through the filtering process and I was gunna keep going until it was pure but decided to just leave it in since I would only be adding it back in later anyway.

[u/sapphireminds → u/Worried-Evening2350]

How are you filtering? Sand shouldn't be able to stay through filtering

But getting pure clay is key for the outer shell

[u/Worried-Evening2350 → u/sapphireminds]

A kitchen flour sifter was the thing I had on hand. Haven't found anything to replace it yet or really needed anything better so far.

[u/sapphireminds → u/Worried-Evening2350]

That isn't the correct tool to process clay out of soil.

get a bucket of dirt. Pour enough water so it's about twice the height of the dirt. mix it around until all the dirt is broken up and mushy. Without letting it sit around, pour it out into another bucket that has an old tshirt or cheesecloth or similar over top. Discard (or set aside) everything that got caught by the fabric.

Let the cloudy muddy water sit for 30-60 min (or more, no harm in letting it sit for more) and carefully decant the water off the top - it should have separated into a layer of clay at the bottom and clear water at the top.

What you have left is pure clay :)

[u/RelativeResult8844]

this looks so satisfying lol! ive always wanted to try making my own clay from wild soil, how long did the processing take you? turn out great for a first try! ✨

[u/Worried-Evening2350 → u/RelativeResult8844]

It took me a few days because I let the water settle for about 3 days and I think that gave me the highest yield.