Pottery for the People

Dan Finnegan, one of ceramic's OB's (Original Bloggers). Got his hands on some Porcelain for the People and turned it out. He made some lovely clam shell boxes. I can't wait to see how he finishes them. I love the variation of finish that people have been giving to the clay.  Whether chunky or refined the clay really sings.

I hear from some little birds that we have been getting shout-outs down south. At both the Alabama Clay Conference and the  North Carolina Potters Conference. The buzz was in the air about Matt and Dave's Clays. We love that kind of buzz. And it is only rolling on, as we will be at NCECA in Philadelphia. We have a big presentation planned and we hope to see you all there. Details to follow.

Putting it to the test

As they say the proof is in the pudding. Tony Clennell a potter up in Canada stopped by Pottery Supply House in Oakville Ontario, our awesome new supplier, in the Great White North. Tony picked up some Porcelain for the People and put it to the test.  He made some gorgeous teapots with the clay and here is what he has to say about it. 

Well it threw and trimmed like a dream. Usually if I can throw porcelain I hate trimming it. This seems to have a coarse particle size that makes for trimming with some expression to it.
I tortured this clay. I dipped it in my local slip clay, slaked down the trimmings and mixed in some sand with the casting slip and laid it on thick. It took the punishment.

See Tony's full review at his blog.  


I love it when people torture our clay. Tony's teapots of Fred's 75 hour Anagama  really show how rugged and versatile the clay really is. That is something about this clay that really goes unrecognized. How much torture the clay can take. It has been designed for versatility, both in execution and technique. It not only throws better, and thinner, but it is also designed to resit torque and distortion that is common with porcelains thrown on the wheel. That kind of torture opens porcelains up to everyone.  Beginners should no longer be afraid of Porcelain. This clay gives beginners and casual potters the great clays that the master have been keeping to themselves for all these years.


If you are feeling slightly sadistic, and want something to torture, go ahead and try Porcelain for the People. You wont be disappointed.

For our Canadian Customer we sell exclusively through Pottery Supply House. If you are in the south, try Atlanta Clay or for the rest of  the U.S. you can head over to www.MattandDavesClays.com and we will ship directly to you.   

I Wood

Fred Herbst a semi-local from Corning NY, sent me these pics of Porcelain for the People that he fired in an Anagama.  For all of the resources we have here in Alfred, the one thing we don't have is an Anagama. So I can't thank Fred enough for putting the clay through it's paces. a The clay developed a wonderful color and survived the rigorous 75 hours at cone 11/12 with flying colors. Thanks for the Pictures Fred!

Also, The response to The Coup, our Mid Temperature version of Porcelain for the People has been great! The clay has been flying out the door.

This clay is everything that you want with a mid fired clay. Solid and vitrified with a wonderful color. It works unlike any clay you have ever used, great for wheel or the sculpture. Responsive to the touch, yet with a ruggedness that you have never experienced with any other porcelain. Combined with Stuck Up-the building and attaching (and decorating) slip and Cast Away Slip, they form a trinity of clay working that have never been seen before. 

Don't forget, Matt and Dave's Tee Shirts are available now. Printed in good ol'  Ypsilanti, Michigan, these fashion statements will set you apart from the Pottery Proletariat!

Oh Canada!

I Love Canada!
As you may know, I come from Maine. The joke there is that Maine is just un-annexed Canada. We love Hockey, French, and Doughnuts. All things Canadian. Now we have one more thing to love in Canada. That is Pottery Supply House in Oakville, Ontario.

Why do we love PSH? Becuase they are now carrying the full line of Matt and Dave's Clays Products! Porcelain for the People and The Coup! How cool is that?!


What is even cooler? PSH is doing something that I had a lot of requests to do but could not pull off. That is ship across to Canada! You will have to contact them to get the details, but this makes our clay available to all of our friends in the Great White North.


Stop by and get some clay!


Also, I wanted to let everyone know that Tee Shirts are now in and available at out online store!

Store

Pottery Supply House

Sale! For Today and One Day Only!

 Act Quickly, this deal will be gone at Midnight!

Matt and Dave's Clays

The 1 Day Sale at our site is Live! 15% of a combo, Porcelain for the People and Stuck Up Slip for just $35

 

  We are offering a special deal with our High Temperature Porcelain for the People and Stuck Up Slip together for $35- Shipped! This is a 15% savings on both items. This is a pretty great deal and is only going to last for 24 hours. So get yourself some clay to put under your tree. We will get your clay shipped out just in time for Christmas.


Go to our online store and select the item with the picture of Santa George you see at the top, to get the special sale price.


http://www.mattanddavesclays.com/store/


It's only going to last for 24 hours, so get it quick.


Have a happy New Year.


Matt and Dave

http://www.mattanddavesclays.com/store/

 

The Coup update-Now available in our Online Store!

Hello everyone,

The response to The Coup has been outstanding. Thanks to everyone for trying our clay. I'm sure you are going to love it! Can you go wrong with a clay who's worst review ever was "I really liked it!"? We have never received a review less than 5 stars out of 5  from those who have tried our clay.
Anyway, I wanted to let you know that  the full range of The Coup products are now available at our safe, secure, and easy online store. So go ahead and get your sweetie a box of the white stuff for Christmas.

The Coup, Mid-Temperature is ready!

Hi Everyone


I told you that I would let you know when The Coup, our Mid-Temperature version of Porcelain for the People is ready.


Today is the day!


We have The Coup made and ready to ship, right now.


What is even better? We not only have our plastic body, great for throwing and hand-building. We also have Coup versions of our Cast Away Slip and Stuck Up-the amazing building and attaching slip. All three designed to work great together.


The Coup has all of the performance qualities of Porcelain for the People, with a firing temperature of Cone 5-8.


I hope we have piqued your interest.


The Coup is available at our store at www.mattanddavesclays.com. 

Prices for The Coup are the same as Porcelain for the People.


Clay-$30/box
Casting Slip-$45/2 Gallons
Stuck Up-$12/Bottle
All prices include shipping!


So if you are interested please send us an email, with your order. We will respond with a link, where you can make a secure payment.


The Revolution Is Here!

Stuck on You!

Hey All,

First, Yes I have pushed back my promised piece, because life is getting in the way. But I did want to put up two reviews that have come up recently. Both of these reviews focus on putting Stuck Up- The Amazing Attaching Slip to the test.  I don't talk about Stuck Up, very much and I really should. 

This stuff is amazing, it can be used to attach parts without scoring. it can be used to attach clays of two different moisture contents together. It can attach virtually bone dry pieces together. It can be used for drawing and decorating surfaces. It can even be used to build with. It is revolutionary stuff.   

Stuck Up came out of industry, where this stuff was discovered for attaching handles. In a factory they don't have the time to slip and score. So they came up with this stuff that they could dob on the ends of the handle and stick it to the pot and voila! It is stuck on. Amazing! 

Of course, we are artists so we said, "What else can this stuff do?" and the answer is everything. There are new uses being made for it every day. The limit is your imagination. 


Give Stuck Up  a try, you won't be disappointed.

The first review is from Atlanta Clay


 -

   ...Also available are the Cast Away Slip and the Stuck Up Slip – an amazing attaching slip that eliminates the need for scoring, matches the body perfectly, is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of moisture states. It’s an industry secret and man does it work! We put it through the gauntlet here at Atlanta Clay – check out our results below.  Daphne threw with the clay and attached handles and appliques and Deanna handbuilt with it in her traditional, torturous way – no cracks so far!!

	” I was a jacka** trying out this clay. I attached handles at a nearly bone dry state to cups that were leatherhard… days later I decided to attach the appliques, which were wet, to the cups (bone dry by that time). I’m used to working with porcelain and expected everything to crack off…. it didn’t. Out of seven teacups I didn’t lose a single attachement.  And that’s crazy.” – Daphne

  -

Awesome, Right? 

Our second review is from Beth over at About.com:Pottery



-

The Bottom Line

Bottom line, this is a porcelain slip that truly is wonderful for attaching components such as handles, spouts, feet, and more. It is useful with a wide variety of clay bodies, including those with lower maturation temperatures.

Manufacturer's Site

Pros

• Excellent attaching slip that works with a wide range of clay bodies.
• Used successfully on damp, leather-hard, and bone-dry greenware.
• Can also be an interesting thick trailing slip.

Cons

• Dries nearly instantaneously. Know exactly what you are going to do before opening the bottle.
• White color may provide unwanted contrast when used with other colored clay bodies.

Description

• Porcelain attaching slip made from mother clay body, Porcelain for the People. Matures cone 7-12.
• Works well with other clays besides mother clay body. Used to attach components or mend breaks in greenware.
• Comes in a conveniently-sized plastic bottle with nozzle-tip cap.

 

Guide Review - Review of "Stuck Up Attaching Slip"

You have to love the name of this slip, and it fits the product perfectly. Not only does it work fantastic with its mother clay body, Porcelain for the People, but it also performed with stellar results when I used it with other clays, including mid-range stoneware, white low-fire, and red earthenware clay bodies. One of the real trials by fire was when I broke a limb off a white low-fire tree as I was loading it to be bisqued. I used Stuck Up Slip on the bone-dry greenware, then held it for a scant moment. Not only did the slip weld the limb back on right then, but it also held beautifully through the firing.
Attaching slips and menders have been used by industry for quite a long time. Many potters use them, too. Stuck Up Attaching Slip is one of the best I've tried. Not only does it eliminate the need for scoring, it creates a very solid attachment even when the pieces are bone dry. It, of course, also works just as well for damp and leather-hard greenware as well. (As an added bonus, I also found it to be an interesting slip for trailing raised designs.) 

-


Sweet, Don't you think?

So give Stuck Up a try. You can get your bottle a the Matt and Dave's Clays Store or at fine retailers like Atlanta Clay

You Like Us! You Really Like Us!

I know that a lot of people say they never read their reviews, I call shenanigans. Maybe it is just me but I think that we all care about what people think about what we do. Especially when we get praise. It is exceptionally Pavlovian to seek out those good reviews. The great thing about Porcelain for the People is that the good reviews are easy to find because we have yet to have anything less than a glowing review.  Today we have a great one from Beth over a About.Com:Pottery.

Review of "Porcelain for the People" Clay

 

4 1/2 Stars

 

The Bottom Line

Bottom line, this is a great high-fire porcelain clay body. It is easy to work with on the wheel and handbuilding. The color is a beautiful pure, warm white. It has an incredible firing range (cone 7 - 12, although the manufacturer says it is best at cone 10).

Manufacturer's Site

Pros

• Extremely responsive clay body; elastic without losing strength or becoming sticky.
• Beautiful bright white color, just ever so slightly on the warm side.

 

Cons

• I wish they had a mid-range version. This clay is high-fire, cone 7 to 12.

 

Description

• True porcelain clay body, not white stoneware. Fires a lovely, just slightly warm white in oxidation.
• Workability is incredible. Elastic, strong, and responsive. Not stiff or sticky like most porcelain bodies.
• Firing range is from cone 7 to cone 12, with cone 10 being optimum.
• Packaged in 30 pound "sausages." A smaller sample package is also available.
  

Matt and Dave's Clays has a definite winner here. This porcelain is the most responsive and elastic porcelain clay body I've used in years, if not ever. True porcelain bodies (as opposed to white stoneware and low-fire clay bodies) has an extremely strong tendency to be stiff and rather unresponsive on the wheel. Porcelain for the People feels and throws like butter...a truly sensuous experience, especially for someone who is used to other porcelain clays. This clay body didn't happen by accident, either. Matt Katz, Dave Finkelnburg, and Bill Carty are the ceramic engineers (who love pottery and clay art) who comprise Matt and Dave's Clays LLC. In their own words, "Utilizing ceramic engineering we can create bodies that are more rugged, yet responsive to the maker." 

 Cool, Thanks Beth! BTW we do have a Mid Temperature Body (The Coup!)...that is coming soon, I promise.

I also wanted to talk about a few things. There was a discussion that came to my attention over the weekend that presented some questions about our clay. The big question presented was about Filter pressing and Formula. Someone asked as to why we don't disclose our formula? They had asked that if the filter pressing made our body so great then why don't we provide the formula?

We have prided ourselves in providing every single piece of information and analysis that we have generated about our body. In that we have gone above and beyond what any other clay maker has to document the performance and science behind our body. We have done that to give you, the user everything you need to make the most out of our body in your studio. We have created a premium body that performs with flying colors in a wide variety of applications that has never been seen in a Porcelain. That is why we call it the Porcelain that works like a Stoneware. It is the science behind it that makes it so durable and versatile.



Our body is great for two reasons 1) The Filter Press and 2) The Formula. We worked for over 3 years to get the formula to it's amazing state. The science behind it cost us a lot of time and a lot of money. Because of that we are unable to share it. 

Much like the fact that you as a consumer don't have the formula to Coke, Oreo's, or KFC, it not because the company does not want you to try to make it at home. It is because they are a business and they can't allow their competitors to copy them and make money off of their hard work. 

It is true that no one else is producing clay in the filter press, but if they had our formula there is nothing we could do to stop them. They are so big and we are so small that they would put us right out of business. 

I do honestly wonder, and please feel free to respond in the comment section, what information that people believe they would gain if they had the formula? Honestly, as a ceramicist I can not think of anything I would gain if I had the formula for a boxed clay I was using. Glaze fit? That  can not be predicted based on the formula, and we have published our thermal expansion data. Something else?


If there is something that we have forgotten to document, please tell us and we will do what we can to share that information. We have prided ourselves in being as open and honest as possible and we hope that our efforts are valuable to you. As a company, there is one big line that we can't cross, but we want as much as possible to be on the table.


We are proud of what we have created. we believe that it is the best Porcelain that you have ever used. If you aren't a porcelain user, you should give us a try because this is unlike any clay you have ever used. 

We think that the reviews speak for themselves


Emily Schroeder


Kathy King


Jim Gottuso

Ginny Gromer and Heidi Fahrenbacher

Atlanta Clay



Give the Clay a try and we think you will find that our clays are the best you have ever used.

Porcelain for the Pinchers

Hi All, 

I was overjoyed to find these pictures in my inbox from Emily Schroeder. These are some images of Pots that she made with Porcelain for the People and I think that you will agree that they are quite lovely. 

In full disclosure, Emily is a friend of mine, but why I am really over the moon with these pots is because Miss Em, is mean to her porcelain. You see, she is a pinch potter, in fact she may be the greatest pinch potter in the world. And she is fearless about working in Cone 10 Porcelain and  pushing her clay. So when she tries a clay she puts it through it's paces. If someone can kill a clay body, Miss Em can.

Miss Em's review was short and sweet. 

"I LOVE LOVE LOVE your clay
and I MISS MISS MISS your clay :(

Matt and Dave's Porcelain for the People is one of the best porcelains i have ever handbuilt with.  It has a beautiful color and it is really plastic.  I would highly recommend it to anyone who uses porcelain. One of the best features of the clay is that when I hand-build with it, there isn't a funny plasticity to it when the clay changes from wet to leather hard to bone dry.  It continues to have a nice malleability. I think it's the best!"

Unfortunately she misses the clay because she is currently teaching in Canada, and the shipping rates to go over that imaginary line are pretty outrageous. I have had a lot of requests from our Canadian brethren, and All I can say is that I am working on it...  

Emily's Web Site

Also I wanted to give everyone a update on the T shirt front. Some of you may have seen my Facebook and Twitter that T shirts were ready...except that when I went down to the printers to pick them up. I found that they had really bungled the job. So we are still working on them... thanks for you patience. 

I Return!

Hi Katzes and Kittens!


I hope everyone had a great weekend, mine was fantastic. First I need to apologize on Friday for taking a powder on the blog. I was involved in a covert project and I was unable to communicate to keep my mission secret.
You see Dr. Katz likes to sing. It has becomes his passion and every year about this time his Chorus has their big concert. It is a fantastic event, they write a script and do costumes, it is a big to do. This year. Dr. Katz was the star.

He played Sheriff Buck Aroo (That is him second from the left). He was the big star of the show, he cleaned up the town and ended up with the girl. Exceptionally triumphant. Mrs Katz and I had been conspiring to make him think that I was not going to be in attendance (She is a cruel Overlord that Mrs. Katz). While in actuality, I snuck down their way (7 hours, each way mind you) on Friday to surprise the good Doctor, and he was completely fooled. So I got to see the family, including Miss. Sarah, my Aunt and Uncle, and some old family friends. (Herr Doctor and Mrs. Joanne). And we had a wonderful time.


Now back to the real world.


A couple of things in the realm of Matt and Dave's Clays. The reviews have been pouring in, I have so many good reviews that I have a backlog, so big I don't know what to do with them.


Right now I want to feature a cliffhanger of a review.


Jim Gottuso over a the fantastic Sophia's Dad's Pots Blog, started a review of Porcelain for the People. He left us in suspense about exposing Porcelain for the People to his cruel and unusual torture known as "Hydro-Abrasion" Dun ,dun dun...


In this process Jim uses water to "Etch" the surfaces of his green pots. It is really cool, but strenuous to the pottery. I'll let Jim take it from here.

A while back Matt sent me some of Matt and Dave’s Porcelain For The People and I did a post about how I thought it threw. Although a bit different from the clay I’m used to which I would expect with any new clay, my overall feeling was that it was an excellent throwing porcelain. That being said, it was only a relatively small part of how I abuse clay so I withheld judgment until it went through the gauntlet. I decide to beat the hell out of it (at least metaphorically). First, it was thrown thin and then the foot trimmed just as I always do. Then I put on a layer of resist and usually I’m pretty gingerly at this point because I’m not trying to etch it too deeply because I know I’m gonna etch it again and the pot isn’t thick enough, but in this case I really etched it quite deep. I was trying to find out how the resist held up and how the clay responded to “hydro-abrasion”.

Two big thumbs up here as it worked very well on both counts. Then after drying completely, I applied more resist and did it again and still it held up extremely well, in fact some areas that were left were extremely thin, maybe 1/16″ – 3/32″ in places. I felt this would be interesting when I gripped the bisque pot with some glazing tongs. After the bisque, the pot was a bright white, even a touch brighter than what I currently use. For glazing I dipped it once, then applied wax all over the piece, wiped away the exposed areas and redipped again after drying. It was fired to ^6 and down-fired to 1500 degrees F. I have to say that Matt and Dave’s clay’s performance was excellent during the entire process. Here’s several pics of the same pot…

So Cool.  Thanks Jim


I don't know what Porcelain for the People can't do!


I other news. Those of you who are fans of Matt and Dave's Clays on Facebook (And why aren't you???), know that we have been working on T-Shirt designs. Well, the designs are off to the printers, so we should have them soon and up for sale on the Web Site. They are being made here in Alfred, NY and will be available in all sizes and all colors, as that color is white (I love color theory jokes).

I will let you know when they are available, so that you can help bring the Revolution!

Atlanta Clay Representing!

I love Atlanta.

First, I was born in Atlanta. Piedmont Hospital. January 16th, Mrs. Katz still refers to that as the day her life changed...for the worst.

Second, The Varsity. The best Onion Rings on the Planet.

But the most important reason Atlanta is awesome?

ATLANTA CLAY!!!

All of you Peaches need to head over to Atlanta Clay, Right Now!. Step away from the computer and go to 3131 Presidential Dr. I'll be here when you get back, so go now. Because if you wait it will all be gone. Then there is nothing I can do to help you. Sorry.


Atlanta Clay is stocking the full Porcelain for the People line.

A) The Clay, The greatest Porcelain you have ever used! The Porcelain that works like a stoneware. Don't be afraid, Don't be gun shy. Porcelain for the People does what you want it to do. Throw it, Hand build it, Pinch it, It is all good.

B) Stuck Up-The Amazing Attaching Slip. A secret of industry for years. A slip that allows you to attach without scoring. And It can do so much more, draw, build and invent.

C) Cast Away Slip-A Casting Slip that works like a dream.

All three of these are designed to work perfectly together! Want slip cast handles on a thrown mug? You're welcome. Do you want a platter standing on feet made of slip cast Doll Heads? No Applause, please.

Porcelain for the People does it all, and now you can get it right there in Atlanta.

Visit the Atlanta Clay Website

And get yourself to

Atlanta Clay
3131 Presidential Dr.
Atlanta, Ga 30340

The Coup

I have heard the cries of the People!

The Coup is here!

The Coup is a Mid-Temperature Porcelain, White and Vitrified at Cone 5 and 6. Based on the same great Porcelain for the People formula. Rugged for throwing and building, The best Porcelain out there, now at a lower temperature.

We have a limited number of boxes of The Coup, Mid-Temperature Porcelain. This is a primary batch to determine people's interest in this clay. If people respond to this offer, The Coup will go into production.

If you would like a box for only $28, shipped! Email me, matt [at] matt and daves clays [dot] com. I will send you a link to a Secure Google Checkout transaction.

Contact me now, as they are going fast!

Update: I still have a few boxes left, but I wanted to note that every single one of the people who got to me first were all people who had previously tried Porcelain for the People! That says something, They got a taste of Matt and Dave's and now they want more! What are you waiting for? The Revolution is starting without you!

"Porcelain for the People-I love it! I love it! I love it! "

"I have to say that was the nicest clay I've ever used."

Those are the kind words and that is the sweet face of Kathy King. Renowned Ceramic Artist out of Atlanta. If you don't know Kathy, she is super cool.  A luscious potter with the sickest sgraffito around. Kathy was kind enough to try Porcelain for the People by Matt and Dave's Clays and here is what she has to say on the subject.


"I just got my mugs out made from Matt and Dave's Clays...this clay is delicious and I heart it.

It was absolutely delicious to throw, carve and went through my wreckless carving techniques like a champ!  Much whiter in color than the competitors at that cone range (I fired to cone six).  I also used your Stuck Up Slip to attach my handles and you can see that worked like a charm as well.


I've also found that with some other brands, my hands would get eerily itchy after throwing.  I've never been sure why that is but it does, indeed, creep me out.  Matt and Dave's clays were luscious to work with and as I'm not a fan of the Cadillac, I'll say that their products are the "Pimped-Out Hot Rod with Flames" of clay.   I'm an absolute fan! xoxox"   -Kathy King

There you have it folks. Words from on High.

Get some today at www.mattanddavesclays.com. Our online store is open and secure. We have Porcelain for the People, Stuck Up-The Amazing Attaching Slip, and Cast Away Slip. We also have snack pack sized samples of Porcelain for the People. A couple of pounds for you to try for just the cost of shipping. All of this is ready to ship ANYWHERE (literally) in the US. All for the same affordable flat rate shipping.

Go out there and Get Some!

Good Morning Everyone

Hi All,

Weekend update in the middle of the week.

Mrs. Rose and I took a long weekend to go down to Maryland, for Mrs. Katz's Birthday. We had a great time. My cousin Christopher and two of his children were there, Along with my sister Miss Sarah. We had a lovely time lounging by the pool and gossiping about everyone who wasn't there.

On Sunday, Dr. Katz, Mrs. Rose and I went to Camden Yards to see The Red Stockings of Boston challenge the Oriels of Baltimore. There was a royal smiting. 18 to 10 in favor of the Red Sox. It was exceptionally triumphant. It was a nice time for The Doctor and I as in my New England youth we attended many games at Fenway Park.

It was lovely, with the exception being that it was incredibly hot, with no shade and no breeze. I seriously do not know how anyone lives south of the Mason-Dixon line.

Our house purchase is proceeding with much expedience. The bank approves, so it is only up to time and the lawyers. We are very excited!


I wanted to give a shout out to Chris at SoCal Potters Blog, for giving out his own shout out to Porcelain for the People. We love the attention! He has a nice blog of his own and everyone should give it a look see.

If you haven't had a chance stop by Matt and Dave's Clays Website. Our new Online Store is up and running. It is powered by Google Checkout, so you know it is secure! We are shipping to all 50 States for the same low price. So there is no reason for you West Coast Ceramicists not to give us a try.

Also, Matt and Dave's Clays is now on Facebook. So stop by and become a fan!

Today's magic number is 6. I need six more people following this blog to reach 50 followers. So click on the link on the right hand side and follow Slipcast.

Also we need 6 more Blogs to take the Master Ceramics Blog list to 400! So if you are aware of a blog that I have missed, please let me know!

Don't forget Twitter Too!

Porcelain for the People in the Wild

Pete Pinell sent me this link to a tea bowl that he made with Porcelain for the People. It is a beautiful piece that was fired in Chris Gustin's Anagama Kiln. A fantastic example of what can be done with Porcelain for the People, by Matt and Daves Clays. What's even better is that the bowl can be yours, as it is up for auction in the Watershed Fund Raising Auction. It is a great piece for a great cause.
Link

Also, we are now shipping samples of Porcelain for the People for just the cost of shipping. We are shipping anywhere in the USA, so contact me to get yours.
Matt and Dave's Clays