Work Surfaces
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Clay will stick to or leave vast smears on most surfaces. It can also be impossible to separate a newly formed clay object from the surface it was formed on. For this reason, it is best to work on a piece of sturdy canvas, such as a mid- to heavyweight cotton duck. Not only does it protect your table, but you can easily pull the canvas away from the pot, which allows it to dry without cracking.
When your clay is too wet to easily work, plaster bats are very useful. The plaster soaks up excess water from the clay as you wedge the clay on the bat. To make one take a shallow box, like a clean pizza box, mix your plaster according to the directions, and pour it into the box. Once set and cured, you will have a plaster bat.