Smectite Clay Slip for Organic Painted Pottery

4 ounces of smectite clay slip from northern Arizona. This material is in its raw state and is 99% pure, just soak in water until fully slaked, then pass through a fine mesh to remove any lumps, paint strainers work well for this. Paint this onto the outside of a green pot, then when fully dry decorate with organic paint (pancake syrup can be substituted), fire in a brief, low temperature fire (<750 C) to get black designs on a cream colored background. This can be used to produce Salado Polychrome pottery or other “oxidized organic paint” pottery.