Entryway Form

Neighbor John built this entryway form out of plywood and sheet aluminum. This will support the entryway as it dries.

Prepping the Opening

We added nails in the soft clay around the doorway to help support the entryway we were about to mold.

The Second Layer

Here you see the second layer completed. This layer of clay was mixed with wild rice hulls for strength. This was done on the same day as the first layer. The doorway has been sketched out.

First Layer Done

Just one more layer to go-whew!

Almost There

First layer almost complete.

Starting the First Clay Layer

I was able to acquire the clay from my friend JD. He gets it from a local granite quarry as waste product. We would shovel the clay on a tarp and mix with water. Then it's time to get in there with your feet ala wine making and get mixed it up. We would form a softball size ball and place it around the sand form and do one layer at a time.

OK, One Last Step With the Form...

We added wet newspaper over the sand form, so when we eventually dig out the sand from the complete clay structure, the sand wont stick to the clay. Next we start the first layer of clay.