Clay Culture: Plasters, Paints and Preservation

Clay Culture: Plasters, Paints and Preservation
By Carole Crews

Now in print, this self-published book begins with a condensed history of the Southwestern US with details about how the old adobe houses were built and how to repair their walls. The chapter, “Learning by Doing” is a brief memoir of the author’s own building experiences, and includes details about the construction of her adobe dome. It also includes a beautiful photographic essay by John Collier Jr. of Malcolm and Rachel Brown erecting their family home made of mud in the 1950’s.
A survey of natural building wall systems and how to plaster them will help owner-builders plan the simplest ways of manifesting their dream home. The author also shares the building of an adobe fireplace and methods of making adobe floors. The Elemental Awareness chapter goes into scientific detail about the materials themselves to facilitate the formulation of recipes for specific tasks using your local materials.
Well known for her micaceous clay finishes, the reader will learn all about alis, casein, color and how to make your own walls beautiful in the simplest dust-free ways, using either found materials or those from pottery suppliers. Binders can be made from a variety of ingredients found in your own kitchen. Many tips about making art from the same materials are also shared.
As those interested in natural building well know, social justice issues can be addressed through this body of knowledge as we all find our places in the evolution of a more earth-friendly world.
Order books through the author’s website: carolecrews.com