Age Your Clay
Although clay can be used straight out of the pug mill or mixer, clay's working properties are often improved by proper aging. There are two reasons for this.
First, it takes time for the water to soak through and surround all the tiny platelets that make up your clay. Two or three days from first mixing the dry clay with water will give the clay particles time to become wet through.
Second, a week or more of aging, with some contact with the air in the first day or so, allows bacteria to grow. This increases the clay body's workability since the bacteria exude organic polymers that act to increase the clay's plasticity. (The bacteria will all be burnt off during firing.)
Envision the Final Piece
Take the time, perhaps while you are actually beginning to sit at the wheel, to think about the possibilities for this piece. What form will you be working to attain. How large? You should already know what temperature your clay matures at. What glaze or glazes do you think you will want to use to enhance the piece? Will you use slips?
Taking the time to focus your inner vision of a piece can greatly enhance the final product.
