MAKE YOUR OWN TILES

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While your "raw material" is lounging in the sunshine, find yourself a place to work. A kitchen table covered with newspapers is fine, but—since this is a messy project—a spot in the basement or garage would be better. You'll need a piece of plywood (at least 2' by 2' . . . preferably even larger) covered with burlap, canvas, or an old sheet. A rolling pin, a table knife, a one inchwide wood slat, and a piece of string—two or three feet long—will be all the tools you'll need.

When the clay has dried to the point that if s no longer sticky, bring it to your work area. (From this point on, the procedures are the same, whether you're using field-dug or store-bought clay.) Cut off a chunk about the size of a cabbage head and set it on the cloth-covered board. Wrap the remaining material in plastic—to keep it from drying out any further—until you're ready to work with it. (Damp towels can be used instead of plastic, if you don't let the moisture evaporate.)

WEDGE THE CLAY

Before anything "permanent" can be made with clay, the material must be wedged. This is a process similar to kneading bread, except that it's aimed at eliminating—rather than adding—air. (Any "pockets" will expand when fired and can cause a tile to explode ... so wedging is very important.) First, sprinkle about onefourth cup of sand on the board . . . the grit will add strength as it works into your tile material.

Next, forget all your nonviolent ideologies. Lift the clay up over your head and slam it down hard several times. Then put your left hand on the left side of the mound and your right hand on the right edge ... toward the top. Push forward with your left hand and then pull the clay back with the right. Let your arms—and your whole body—move with your hands. Continue this operation for about five minutes, then cut the clay in half with the string. If the surface of the cut is smooth—with no air holes or crevices—you're ready to fashion some tiles.

FORM THE TILES

Whack the two pieces back together and slap the clay down on the board. Turn it over and slam it down again! Pound it, flip it over, and throw it down once more! Then beat the clay with your fists until it spreads out flat.

When the mass of clay is about one inch thick, flip it over and—keeping the pressure even—use your rolling pin to flatten the "mud pastry" . . . as if you were making a pie crust. Periodically, lift the sheet and turn it upside down so that it doesn't get stuck to the board. After it's been rolled to about 3/8" thick, lift the "dough" one last time, set it down gently, and smooth it out with the rolling pin.

For the next step, use your wood slat and a sharp knife to trim off the ragged edges, leaving a nice, even rectangle. (You can rewedge and roll out the scraps for more tiles, or save 'em—wrapped in plastic—for another time.)

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