Mica Red Clay, sourced from the Manzano Mountains near Albuquerque, New Mexico, offers an authentic experience reminiscent of traditional Native American pottery. This naturally micaceous clay is airfloated and blended with natural minerals to mimic the rich, earthy quality of local Taos clay.
The clay is rough and has low plasticity, making it ideal for thick coiling and scraping with a thin metal rib (such as Kemper's S4) to refine shapes. It’s traditionally burnished with a soft cloth, smooth rock, or stainless steel spoon. Mica Red Clay can be wood fired outdoors to around 1200°F, achieving captivating colors ranging from red to orange to gray due to smoke and fire.
Suitable for Raku, burnishing, and pit firing, this clay is highly forgiving and requires only one firing. For glazed finishes, bisque to Cone 04. For cooking pots, bisque to Cone 010-017. Fun and easy to work with, Mica Red Clay is especially popular among kids and those who appreciate its minimal decoration needs.