Mission Clay Factory Tour and Pipe Carving Info
Registered Participants
You should have received a confirmation email from Arizona Clay Association letting you know you are a participant. If you registered for the waitlist, you will receive an email confirmation or be contacted by phone if a space becomes available.
WHAT TO BRING
Carving & Decorating tools (more below)
Water
Lunch and/or snacks
Must wear closed toed shoes (no exceptions!)
GETTING THERE
Building Products Company
Clay Factory & Sales Office
4850 W. Buckeye Road
Phoenix, AZ 85043
Mission Clay is actually called "Building Products Company" on the street. (See circled sign in photo below.) There is a driveway just west of a fenced in tire business. Turn north into the driveway and drive back to where the office is. You will see decorated clay pipes. Below is a map and an image of the sign (approaching on Buckeye from the east.)
You should have received a confirmation email from Arizona Clay Association letting you know you are a participant. If you registered for the waitlist, you will receive an email confirmation or be contacted by phone if a space becomes available.
WHAT TO BRING
Carving & Decorating tools (more below)
Water
Lunch and/or snacks
Must wear closed toed shoes (no exceptions!)
GETTING THERE
Building Products Company
Clay Factory & Sales Office
4850 W. Buckeye Road
Phoenix, AZ 85043
Mission Clay is actually called "Building Products Company" on the street. (See circled sign in photo below.) There is a driveway just west of a fenced in tire business. Turn north into the driveway and drive back to where the office is. You will see decorated clay pipes. Below is a map and an image of the sign (approaching on Buckeye from the east.)
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CARVING & DECORATING
After the tour of the factory, which is about 45 minutes, you will be given a section of pipe (approximately 2+ ft tall) to carve & decorate. The pipe is made from very coarse, groggy clay. There will be underglazes there for you to use, but if you are wanting a particular color or type, you may bring your own. They will apply a clear glaze before firing if you wish. Think about your design ideas before Friday. Bring strong tools with ample handles. Very durable clay tools will work, but screwdrivers, solid forks, knives, and tools you make yourself will work well also.
Tool ideas
From past participant John K:
"They had underglazes and also a clear glaze, if wanted. As for tools, bring the strongest you have!! The clay will be harder than you think. There is a lot of grog /coarseness in the clay. VERY durable clay tools will work, but it would not be silly to bring screwdrivers, forks, knives (different kinds) and any tools you might want to make. A good sized handle will make things much easier. I have included pics of the tools I made for this event. The handles are screwdriver handle sized. The jagged blades are from a sawzall blade. The nails are a good 5-6 inches long. The forks may not be strong enough. Some light gloves would not be a bad idea. Despite all of these warnings, the event is a lot of fun!!"
John's tools he brought:
After the tour of the factory, which is about 45 minutes, you will be given a section of pipe (approximately 2+ ft tall) to carve & decorate. The pipe is made from very coarse, groggy clay. There will be underglazes there for you to use, but if you are wanting a particular color or type, you may bring your own. They will apply a clear glaze before firing if you wish. Think about your design ideas before Friday. Bring strong tools with ample handles. Very durable clay tools will work, but screwdrivers, solid forks, knives, and tools you make yourself will work well also.
Tool ideas
- large lazy susan or banding wheel with large (20") bat
- brushes (for underglaze and for removing debris while carving)
- clay carving tools
- found tools like knives, forks, old screwdrivers
- made tools
- See info and photos below from an artist who did the tour & carving a few years ago.
From past participant John K:
"They had underglazes and also a clear glaze, if wanted. As for tools, bring the strongest you have!! The clay will be harder than you think. There is a lot of grog /coarseness in the clay. VERY durable clay tools will work, but it would not be silly to bring screwdrivers, forks, knives (different kinds) and any tools you might want to make. A good sized handle will make things much easier. I have included pics of the tools I made for this event. The handles are screwdriver handle sized. The jagged blades are from a sawzall blade. The nails are a good 5-6 inches long. The forks may not be strong enough. Some light gloves would not be a bad idea. Despite all of these warnings, the event is a lot of fun!!"
John's tools he brought:
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Decorated pipe examples:
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