Paper Clays

(WC886, WC952, WC-953): We stock three different paper clay formulations.

Note: Paper Clays are formulated and categorized to perform as ^06, ^5 and ^10. Most clay can be successfully fired at varying temperatures (1 to 2 cones) above and below their indicated firing ranges. Variables do exist and testing must be done to ensure clay meets an individual's needs or circumstances.

The following works were made using Paper Clay: Click on an image to enlarge it. by Barbara Sorensen by Chrissie Callejas by Barbara Sorensen by Chrissie Callejas by Barbara Sorensen

Take Your Clay to Limits FAR BEYOND that which you previously thought possible!

Ceramic Paper Clays blend premium clays with lesser fraction of choice pulp. The fired and glazed ceramic is indistinguishable to the naked eye from a non-paper traditional clay. Pulp burns out in firing similar to wax.

Please note that the following information is NOT an exhaustive instruction set on how to use Paper Clay. If you are new to Paper Clay, it is strongly suggested you familiarize yourself with the techniques explained in the books listed further down this page.

• How Strong is Strong?: Handle bone dry ware with ease. Move large dry unfired works anywhere... drive them in the back seat of a car. Some work may not need firing!
• Survive and Thrive: 98% of repairs to bone dry make it... even broken legs, hearts, etc.
• Rapid of Force Drying OK: Dry harden pots in direct sun, near heaters, or warm (below 200F) kilns. Thermal shock of raku and freezing OK for most.
• Build custom hollow armatures in minutes: Fold 2D soft cutout shapes into 3D. Later your quickie hollow Paper Clay armatures will be dry and hard enough to support new layers of soft Paper Clay. Moisten the surface with water, and go. Open air or sun harden between wet dry episodes until the work appears finished.
• Coil up and up: Sometimes it makes sense not to score. Bone dry, air hard Paper Clay coil shapes stay put. To quick seal between coils... just sponge, brush, or dip a coat of slip (watered down mash of Axner's Paper Clay) right over the dry. Voila! Gaps are filled, neat and even. Ready for color and/or a kiln.
• Reduce or end warp: Tile makers and muralists appreciate this feature for slab assemply projects. Paper fibers hidden deep insde the clay draw moisture evenly from within to assist a much more "even" open air drying and shrinking process.
• Dry to Dry Assembly Extra: Stir or mash your favorite blend of Axner Paper Clay in water until it turns to a paste adhesive we call slip. Liberally apply the slip to the two pieces of dried Paper Clay and press them together. In minutes you have a strong join. To cut a dried slab of Paper Clay, score a needle line on the surface then snap it apart like glass. Box constructions with bone dry parts assemble securely in minutes. When box side slabs dry out flat before assembly they stay flat after.
• Single Fire Glaze Option: Why pay more for bisque? Dry paper fiber hidden in bone dry paper clay absorbs almost as much water as a bisque. Meantime the extra green strength allows handling dipping, burnishing, rubbing applying terra sigillata and etc. to bone dry ware. Stoneware reduction, woodfire, electric, gas, pit, all methods suitable.

Learn More About Paper Clay Techniques
Read how you can achieve success with the paper clay techniques listed above in the following book: