Processing Local/Dug/Wild Clay

How I process local clays for use in pottery. This shows the first sieve. After this I generally sieve finer, and let the sand settle out. The sieves remove most of the organic materials (bits of roots and leaves) and helps to break up clay lumps. Once you get a thin slurry (milk thin) sand and silt will settle to the bottom quickly (10 min or so) and you can pour off the clay water on top.