New Item for the Studio · Pottery People 💛☕️

New Item for the Studio

I’m testing out a diatomaceous stone drying mat in the pottery studio and I’m really curious if this thing lives up to the hype. It’s designed to absorb moisture fast and self-dry, so my thought is… could this be a gentle helper for clay that’s taking forever to firm up?

Here’s how I’m planning to use it:

• Placing slabs or small handbuilt pieces on it to help even out moisture

• Using it under freshly trimmed pots to pull water from the foot without rushing them

• Testing it as a slow, steady drying surface instead of boards or drywall ( my drywall is peeling -- annoying)

• Seeing if it helps with those awkward in-between stages when clay just won’t cooperate

The mat is porous, meant to absorb moisture quickly, and dry itself with airflow, which sounds very promising for studio use. No heat, no sun, just quiet absorption doing its thing.

I’ll be testing it today with different clay stages and will report back with results. If this works, it could be a really nice tool for controlled drying without cracking or stress.

Has anyone tried something like this already? I’ll update soon with clay receipts 🏺👀

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