How to recycle clay
A simple, honest, and personal guide to giving clay a second life
In the workshop, as in life, nothing is lost. Everything is transformed.
One of the first things I learned when working with ceramics was to respect the material. To not throw away, to not give up if something broke or went wrong, to give myself another chance. That's how I began to see clay as a mirror. Because recycling clay isn't just a technique: it's a way of being present, of doing things with intention, of creating with care.
This post was born from there. From my experience as a ceramist, but also from my personal story.
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THE MUD SAVED ME
I came to ceramics at one of the lowest points in my life. I came from a rich but restless career path: fashion, restoration, health coaching, healthy cooking... always looking for ways to express what was inside me. Until one day, I felt I couldn't take it anymore. I had everything—an incredible family, health, love—but I lacked enthusiasm. I lacked purpose.
They recommended I do something artistic. Something with my hands. And I found clay.
From the first day at the wheel, I knew I was home. The feel of the wet clay, the concentration it demands, the silence it offers. Each piece was a meditation. Every mistake, a lesson. And in that process, I discovered that ceramics was healing me. That what I was doing with my hands was also happening inside me.
That's why when I recycle clay, I feel like I'm recycling myself too.
WHY RECYCLE CLAY
There are many reasons to do so:
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Because it's sustainable: You avoid wasting material and take care of the planet.
Because it's economical: New clay costs money, recycled clay only costs time and attention.
Because it's honest: It connects you with imperfection, with mistakes, with reality.
Because it is part of the artistic process: Recycled clay has history, texture, soul.
How to recycle clay step by step
Recycling clay isn't difficult, but it does require patience. Here's how I do it in the studio:
Save all your leftovers: hard skins, trimmings, and leftovers. Anything that isn't cooked can be salvaged.
Sort by clay type: It's very important not to mix different types of clay. Each one should be in its own container. Mixing them can affect the quality and performance of the material.
Let them dry completely. It's easier to rehydrate completely dry clay than halfway through.
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Cover them with water in a large bucket. You can use tap water. Let it sit for several days.
Mix well: You can use a hand mixer or simply stir with a spatula until you get a thick paste.
Spread it on a drywall or wooden board: This will remove excess water. Wait until it reaches a doughy consistency.
Knead with intention: Remove bubbles, check the texture, and let the clay tell you when it's ready.
A trick when the clay has become stiff
Sometimes a clay ball becomes so dry that it seems impossible to recover. It may have been improperly sealed or simply forgotten. But here's a trick I use often that works wonders:
How to recover a dry ball without breaking it up completely:
Place the ball inside a plastic bag.
Moisturize it from the outside: lightly wet the bag or ball.
Close the bag tightly.
Submerge that closed bag in a container of water.
Let it sit overnight.
The next day, the clay will have regained its perfect texture.
Recycled clay also becomes jewelry
One of the things I enjoy most about the ceramic process is seeing how recycled clay, which seemed lost, can be transformed into something delicate and meaningful. In my studio, I don't just make utilitarian pieces or decorative sculptures. I also create ceramic jewelry : earrings, pendants, and small shapes molded by hand with care and patience.
Each piece of jewelry is unique. It's handmade, piece by piece, without molds or haste. And it's often created from recycled clay: scraps from turning, failed tests, small pieces that break before firing... Everything can have a second chance.
These handmade jewels aren't just decorative. They're an extension of the workshop's soul. They carry with them the story of the clay, the process, and the hands that shaped them. And when someone chooses them, they become something even more special: a charm, a keepsake, a declaration of love for craftsmanship.
Clay, mud, and ceramic: what does each mean?
In workshop language, we use words that are sometimes confusing. Here's how I understand and use them:
Clay : This is the base material, just as we obtain it before working it. When dry, it is still clay.
Clay : hydrated clay, in its plastic state, ready to be molded or turned. It's the living matter in your hands.
Ceramics : is the final result, when the clay has been fired and transformed into a solid, resistant and beautiful piece.
Knowing these terms helps us better understand the process and communicate more precisely among those of us who love this craft.
A final reflection
Recycling clay reminds me that everything deserves a second chance. That even what we think is useless can be transformed into beauty if we give it the time, care, and proper attention.
At Atelier Pottery , every piece created has a story behind it. And often, that story begins with recycled clay. Whether it's a mug, a sculpture, or a piece of ceramic jewelry, they're all part of the same language: a love of handmade.
If you found this article helpful, please share it with others who are just starting out in the ceramics world.
Or write to me, I'd love to know how you're experiencing this process.
Thank you for being here.
— María Vega de Seone
Creator of Atelier Pottery