I recently ordered a batch of clay from Highwater mixed to a custom recipe. I worked with Ron Roy (coauthor of Mastering Cone 6 Glazes) and he saved me a great deal of time by taking the properties I wanted in a clay and getting me a great start. From there I tweaked the vitrification and kept running tests until I got the absorption right where I want it for my firing temperature. Today, the 18 wheeler dropped the pallet off at work and moved it to the studio. It was the first time I have used any of this clay that had been pugged. My tests were just mixed in a bucket and dried on plaster. I’m shooting for a particular reddish color in a clay that will stand up much better than the stock clay I had been using. Highwater has other clays that throw really well too, but not in the color I want. I threw a few large bowls and laid the rims way down to see if they rip apart before they dry!