Brick 1
Native soil
Ball Clay 0M4
2:1 sand to clay
Add some water, approx. ½ part clay
Brick 2
Native soil sifted to remove organic debris
Fire Clay
4:1 sand to clay
Water ½ part clay
- Grab a handful of mixture and form a ball about the size of a lime.
- Hold your arm directly out in front of your body at shoulder height.
- Drop the clay-sand ball onto hard ground in front of you.
The ball should hold together quite coherently. If it splats flat the mixture is too wet. If the ball cracks, it is too dry and you can add a little water. Simple! Dry bricks in the sun for 2–3 days.The edges of the bricks will turn white when they’re dry enough.
You can also fire-dry clay bricks in a kiln at 983°C for at least a week but we did not have this luxury.
