So, I have ordered 25 pounds of micaceous clay to experiment with creating a clay bean pot. I have seen these pots used in Northwestern New Mexico and it seems like the flavor of the beans is just better.
I watched one being made and ever since have wanted to try it.
So today I ordered the clay and realized I have no idea what to do when it arrives. I am assuming it will arrive ‘wet’, so what do I do to keep it ‘wet’ while I spend time experimenting with small quantities?
Actually, it might just come in a bag of powder clay. Do you have the link that you purchased it from? Also, if you can cancel your order you might be able to get a Mica based clay from trinity ceramics locally and save on shipping. We tend to fire cone 6 and many native american style clay tend to be a relatively low fire like that. Plus, buying from trinity means you know how and what you are firing, and the staff is super helpful.
My two cents, I’m no expert on the style of clay you are using, but best of luck on your pot.
I ordered; 1 MICAR Mica Red Low fire (018 to 04) 25 0 $0.49 $12.25 from New Mexico Clay. I also ordered a couple of pounds of mica flakes, which I think I need for the finishing technique.
This piece will need to be fired much lower than you’ll normally do from what I have been reading (between 018 and 012).
These pots are fairly unique from what I have seen. I have purchased a number of ‘bean’ pots but none of them have had the same characteristics I have seen with these new mexico clay pots. The ones I have seen are nearly imune to thermal shock when cooking/cleaning. Supposedly due to the high mica content of the clay.
The build technique looks fairly straightforward, though I suspect it will take a fair bit of experimentation until I achieve a reasonably successful product. They use ropes of clay to build the pot, and then scrape then send to finish the surface.
As I get closer, I could really use some help from some experienced potters.
Considering that the shipping cost is greater than the clay cost, I’m assuming this is wet clay. If it is, not much to be done to keep the clay workable, but just keeping it moist in its plastic bag.
We can fire it at whatever temperature needed, but we will want to keep low-fire clay separate from our regular clay scraps. We will also do a separate firing only for this clay, since it will mature significantly cooler than other clay we work with.
All can definitely be done. 
Did a little reading on micaceous clay pot and it says that they are fired at a high temperature. Keep us up to date on your pots, Looks like something I would like to learn to do too.
@Sk8nmike do you have a link for that high temperature reference? Everything I have found on the subject indicates otherwise. I am still in the research phase on this project.
The key here is that the clay from NMClay is labeled with what cone to fire to, and it lists it as 05 at the hottest end of the range. That’s low fire, or very low fire.
Yeh, I was mostly interested if @Sk8nmike had found a site which indicated the kind of clay bean pots I am looking to produce used a different clay.
At this point, I thought micaceous clays were all basically alike (at least those used for bean pots), and the ones I have seen seemed low fire. Indeed, the one I saw made personally (inspiration for this whole adventure) was fired in what was essentially a largish camp fire, which should have been a pretty low temperature (no air blowers to increase heat). Sadly neither myself nor the artisan knew much about the clay–he dug it just a short ways away from where he fired it and where he created the pot. No internet, heck no electricity! And road pavement was miles away…
From what I read, most mica clay is dug on reservation land and used by traditional potters in pit firing, and finished using hand burnishing, not glaze.
I could not find the site yesterday that mentioned high fireing of the pots, but I did find several sites that give instructions on firing the clay: 018 to 04
http://www.micaclay.com/products/products.htm
And one on how to season and use your pot.
Didn’t find anything that listed a best or better clay, however most did mention the importance of seasoning the pot before your first use.
Came across these you tube videos about creating micaceous clay pots using the traditional methods for those that might be interested! You tube videos by Micaceous Cookware
Just a little info, I have done some sort of pit firings in my backyard in the past. It can be fired in what is basically a specially built fire.
I would suggest that you get some clay from Trinity to practice with on coil building unless you have done it before. Then use your good clay when you have the technique down.
Thanks for the suggestion! I already have the clay and there is enough in a 25lb box that I am not too woring about running out for my ultimate project! 