We stock moist clay from Kansas Clay (manufactured by our sister company, right here in our building!), Aardvark, Kentucky Mudworks, Laguna (we order from both California and Ohio plants) & Standard. We have dry blends of many of these clays available as well, and we also carry Standard Casting Slips. Use our convenient combinations of common groupings coupled with filters to drill down to find your perfect clay, or feel free to contact us for suggestions!
You may also want to check out this Youtube Playlist introducing and comparing many of our clay bodies.
Late October 2022, we replaced the 35 mesh fireclay with 40 mesh fireclay, resulting in fewer impurities and a slightly smoother texture
A medium range light stoneware body which fires off-white to buff in oxidation and slightly darker in reduction.
Flint Hills clays have been evaluated by a nationally certified toxicologist, and have been found to be in compliance with ASTM C-1023 and D-4236, and to not contain any material in sufficient quantity to be toxic or to constitute a chronic health hazard when used responsibly.
RECOMMENDED VIDEO: Buff by Bracker's
A non-talc based low-fire white clay that is easier to throw than talc-based bodies, especially for beginners. Fires to a creamy white at Cone 04. Low shrinkage and great glaze fit.
During the summer of 2020, we completed a comprehensive test of our clay bodies. For each clay body, we tested 6 flat bars, which were rolled out on a slabroller. We ALSO tested vertical shrinkage of a thrown cylinder (6 sections, each with their own test)
beginning weights in grams were recorded
the lines and weights were measured & recorded when bone dry
The samples were fired to Cone 04
lines and weights were measured & recorded again
The flat tiles were then soaked in hot water for 1 1/2 hours, then weighed again
Math magic was then done to calculate the average shrinkage wet-dry and average shrinkage overall for both flat and thrown tests, and the average water absorption was calculated based on the flat bars.
We also figured the "LOI" (Loss on Ignition) by computing the fired weight against the bone dry weight. This tells us what percent of organics burn off in the firing.
Flint Hills clays have been evaluated by a nationally certified toxicologist, and have been found to be in compliance with ASTM C-1023 and D-4236, and to not contain any material in sufficient quantity to be toxic or to constitute a chronic health hazard when used responsibly.
RECOMMENDED VIDEO: Terra Blanc by Bracker's
As of October 2022, Buff Plus now uses only 40mesh fireclay and 35 mesh grog.
A medium-range light stoneware body with about 9% fine grog which fires off-white to buff in oxidation and slightly darker in reduction.
Flint Hills clays have been evaluated by a nationally certified toxicologist, and have been found to be in compliance with ASTM C-1023 and D-4236, and to not contain any material in sufficient quantity to be toxic or to constitute a chronic health hazard when used responsibly.
RECOMMENDED VIDEO: White Stoneware Comparison by Bracker's
Winter Wind is a reformulation of the Flint Hills Cone 5/6 Porcelain. You should not notice a difference in workability or glaze fit. The body is almost identical, but the original included a bag of talc. We removed the talc and added a small percentage of 120mesh molochite to maintain the average shrinkage percentage in the original version. As a bonus, that addition also increases the green strength and reduces warpage a bit as well!
Average Shrinkage at Cone 5: 11.53% Average Absorption at Cone 5: 4.2%
Average Shrinkage at cone 04 bisque: 6.38%
Average Wet to dry shrinkage 5.5%
Creamy semi-porcelanious clay body with black flecks throughout, Similar to speckled bmix in appearance and workability.
Background of this clay body:
During the fall of 2021, we were working on some new clay bodies to share for our annual New Year's Clay.
You may or may not be aware that September 18th is talk like a pirate day. Somehow that ended up being the inspiration for the name of one of the bodies we were developing. It's now ready for release and we are proud to share our new Pyrate Freckle clay body with you.
The name also references the greek origin for the lovely little flecks that provide the freckle: IRON.
Our initial release of this is a limited run, and we make no guarantees that these Pyrates won't walk the plank or end up hanging from the Gallows, or just sail away to an island in the Carribbean to drink rum. (Read here: there may be some supply chain issues that delay further production)
UPDATE: Lucky for you, me hearties, this clay is sticking around for a while and is now available in full fifty pound boxes!
This is a dark clay body with mild speckling. It's kind of like a cross between our Peppered Wheat and our Bison. Not as heavily speckled as Peppered Wheat and a much darker base body.
Flint Hills clays have been evaluated by a nationally certified toxicologist, and have been found to be in compliance with ASTM C-1023 and D-4236, and to not contain any material in sufficient quantity to be toxic or to constitute a chronic health hazard when used responsibly.
This is a reformulation of the original Flint Hills 5/6 Black. Kansas Clay intensified the color and switched to a slightly finer mesh fireclay to reduce the light speckling in the previous version....and then renamed it with a Kansas-themed name, of course. :)
***Please note we recommend firing to cone 5. There are mixed results when fired to cone 6. Some potters report bloating, others have no issues*****
Flint Hills clays have been evaluated by a nationally certified toxicologist, and have been found to be in compliance with ASTM C-1023 and D-4236, and to not contain any material in sufficient quantity to be toxic or to constitute a chronic health hazard when used responsibly.
New mid-fire speckled buff colored clay - the same formula as the new WHEAT clay with added specks that make it look like someone sprinkled pepper on it.
Bracker's never really stocked or sold the Flint Hills Clay Works body, "Missouri Gold" so we had no idea how popular or how lovely it was until we bought Flint Hills Clay Works. We'd resisted stocking the clay because of the Kansas-Missouri, um, conflicts over the years. There's a rivalry between Kansas and Missouri going back before the civil war and the Missouri Ruffians rode across the border into Kansas and tried to burn down Lawrence THREE TIMES in the 1860s. They never really got over their loss and we still harbor some hard feelings about their repeated arsonistic tendencies. In the more recent past it's translated to sports team rivalries, especially between the Kansas Jayhawks teams and the University of Missouri teams when they were in the same conference. Obviously some of us are more successful about moving past it than others...
However, we quickly fell in love with the warm golden color of the fired clay and then tragedy struck. The producer of the one of the primary components of the clay recipe (that gave "Missouri Gold" the golden color) announced that it was no longer available. After much mad scientist-type moments and a LOT of testing, Cindy Bracker developed a new mid-fire stoneware clay body we're calling Kansas Wheat. It's a little warmer color than the Flint Hills 5/6 Buff. After getting rave reviews from the select group of customers who have been test-driving the clay, we're going to add it to our production cycle. Customers have told us it's great for throwing as well as handbuilding (there's no grog in this body, but it's a toothy mid-fired stoneware clay). Customers have tested it with a wide variety of glazes from different manufacturers with no unusual glaze fit issues.
**We recommend bisque firing SLOW speed between ^06 and ^04 and always SLOW speed glaze firing. If you are having trouble getting some brands of commercial glazes to not pinhole you can always try bisque firing to ^03. If you are using Mudworks glazes exclusively you only need to bisque to ^06 unless you prefer a higher bisque.
A nice super smooth, plastic body that fires a dark chocolate brown at cones 5-6. Matures cone 5-6. Won't bloat at soft cone 7 if fired slow through the last 300-400F. Contains no grog. Gives nice warmth to glazes, giving that reduction look to them in oxidation.
*Our tests with our Super clear glaze gave us little to no bubbles or green tint to the clear glaze.
Contains less than 2% Manganese.
Shrinkage 15% Abs at cone 6 less than 0.5%
Super smooth and plastic clay body. The whitest midrange stoneware known to man, and bears. A perfect match for those who prefer a porcelain style clay for throwing, not recommended for hand building. Fires cone 5-7.
Shrinkage 11% Absorption at ^6 less than 1.0%
KyMudworks premium white clay body. A cool white stoneware that is the durable and a pleasure to throw. Does not get too soupy if you throw with a lot of water. Super plastic, throws and handbills well. Matures cone 5-6. Can be pushed to cone 7 slow fired.
Shrinkage 11.0% Absorption at ^6 less than 0.5%
Roo is a peachy, lightly speckled mid-range clay body. It is very smooth and throws excellently. Handbuilds very well. No Grog.
Our favorite thing about this clay is how the limited specks are random among the fired pieces.
Shrinkage ^6 11%, absorption cone 6 less than 1.0%
Ranger is possibly the best all-around throwing clay. It is also a true range clay, hence its name, in that it has acceptable vitrification at cone 6 and also performs extremely well as a cone 10 reduction body. Contains some fine grog and sand. If you want flexibility in your studio for ^6 functional ware and the occasional ^10 firing out of one clay, this is the best clay for you.
Fired Shrinkage 13%
Absorption ^6 1.3% ^10 0.3%
Super smooth, tight, and plastic body that fires a deep red at cone 5 and dark red brown at cone 6. Throws and hand builds well. Matures cone 5-7. Won't warp or bloat at cone 7 if slow fired through the last 300-400F.
Gorgeous in soda and wood firings too!
Shrinkage 11.5% Absorption at cone 6 less than 0.5%
Super smooth, tight, and plastic body that fires a true orange red at cone 6. Throws and hand builds well. Matures cone 5-7. Can be pushed to cone 7 if slow fired through last 300F.
Link's favorite mid-range throwing clay!
Shrinkage 11.5% Absorption at ^6 2%
A nice toothy, plastic stoneware body that fires a reddish brown at cone 6. Throws and hand builds well. Matures cone 5-7. Won't warp or bloat at cone 7 if slow fired through last 300F. Gives nice warmth to glazes, giving that reduction look to them in oxidation. Fine grog for tooth.
Gorgeous in soda and wood firings too up to cone 8.
Shrinkage 11.5% Abs at cone 6 less than 0.5%
Smooth white stoneware, good for throwing and production of functional whiteware.
Special Order Clay, available full box only
CharacteristicsCone: 6Wet Color: Light GrayFiring Color: Oxidation: Off-White - Reduction: N/ATexture: SmoothConsistency: StandardAvg. Shrinkage 2±%: 13%Avg. Water Absorption 1±%: 1%
Clay body specifically formulated by request from Midwest and Eastern U.S. potters. Low in sand and grog content, speckled buff is smooth textured. An excellent throwing body. The color palette is perhaps best described as 'desert' or 'Southwest'. Fired in oxidation, Speckled Buff falls into the tan/brown color range.
A high fire red clay with medium grog and sand for surface texture and minimal cracking and warping. Designed for sculpture, slab, and coil work.
Cone 6 Average Shrinkage 10.5% Absorption 5.0%
Cone 10 Average Shrinkage 12.0% Absorption 3.0%
Images of clay are fired to Cone 10 Reduction - Cone 6 - Cone 10
A red, slightly coarse clay with excellent working properties forwheel throwing and handbuilding. It is talc-free and contains sand, making it suitable for medium sized forms. Cone 5 oxidation produces red/brown and reduction color is dark red/brown.
Special Order Clay, available full box only
***Oxidation ( First Image), Reduction ( Second Image).
CharacteristicsCone: 5Wet Color: RedFiring Color: Oxidation: Red Brown - Reduction: Dk. Red BrownTexture: Slightly CoarsePenetrometer Target: 6.75Avg. Shrinkage 2±%: 10.5%Avg. Water Absorption 1±%: 4.5%
Smooth white stoneware, good for throwing and production of functional whiteware.
CharacteristicsCone: 6Wet Color: Light GrayFiring Color: Oxidation: Off-White - Reduction: N/ATexture: SmoothConsistency: StandardAvg. Shrinkage 2±%: 13%Avg. Water Absorption 1±%: 1%
This clay is compounded to be a stoneware clay with specks that bleed through the glaze, giving the appearance of iron burning through, typical of reduction glazes and clays. A very popular throwing clay for production potters who want to add the speck dimension to their ware.
Optimal results at cone 5
CharacteristicsCone: 5Wet Color: Red/BrownFiring Color: Oxidation: Speckled Tan - Reduction: N/ATexture: Slightly CoarseConsistency: StandardAvg. Shrinkage 2±%: 10.9%Avg. Water Absorption 1±%: 1.7%
Charcoal is a reformulation of Obsidian that is made to better withstand higher temps (∆6)
Fired Shrinkage is 13% and Water Absorption is 2% when fired to cone 5/6. Our newest addition is a medium grit black body without the issues of bloating! Works well with most glazes and provides a beautiful black base for decoration.
This clay has the same working properties as your favorite B Mix WC-401. This is a mid temperature, smooth, porcelaneous stoneware that is very plastic and workable. This clay prefers slow drying and ample compression on rims and bottoms to avoid cracks.
***Optimal results at cone 5
CharacteristicsCone: 5Wet Color: off-whiteFiring Color: Oxidation: warm white with speckles - Reduction: N/ATexture: SmoothPenetrometer Target: 6.75Avg. Shrinkage 2±%: 12.47%Avg. Water Absorption 1±%: 2.47%
Aardvark Clay's Terra Red
Special order clay body, available only in full box
Fired Shrinkage is 12.5% and Water Absorption is 6% when fired to cone 5. A very warm orange-red terra cotta colored cone five stoneware. While the clay is textured, it feels very smooth while throwing or hand building. The blend of color, tooth, and workability you have been looking for.
⚠ WARNING - This product can expose you to crystalline silica (quartz) which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
A slip casting porcelain highly translucent from cone 5 to 8. Builds very quickly in the mold and maintains translucent character up to a 1/4" thickness. Also available as dry blended casting slip. Characteristics Cone: 5-8 Fired Color - Oxidation White Fired Color - Reduction Bluish White Ave. Shrinkage 2±% 14.5% Ave. Water Absorption 1±% >0.25% COE x 10-6: 6.04
Pours smoothly, releases easily. Beautiful porcelain finish. Good green strength.
Shrinkage at Cone 6: 14.5%
Absorption at Cone 6: 1.2%
2 Gal Box can not ship via FedEx/UPS/USPS Freight/delivery/pickup in store only
Aardvark Clay's Bee Mix 5Fired Shrinkage is 12% and Water Absorption is 2.5% when fired to cone 5. Off white, very smooth and easy to throw. Great glaze fit.
⚠ WARNING - This product can expose you to crystalline silica (quartz) which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
(Formerly Cassius Basaltic)
Fired Shrinkage is 14.5% and Water Absorption is .5%
when fired to cone 5. Very black, ebony like finish. Contains no talc. Needs lots of oxygen during bisque firing. Please refer to this link for our bisque firing schedule that was created with Obsidian in mind.
⚠ WARNING - This product can expose you to crystalline silica (quartz) which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
A smooth pouring stoneware slip. Releases easily. Excellent for utility ware. Shrinkage at Cone 6: 13.0% Absorption at Cone 6: 2.0% CAN NOT SHIP VIA UPS OR USPS. MUST SHIP VIA LTL FREIGHT, BRACKER'S DELIVERY, OR PICKED UP AT OUR STORE.
