How we turned Northwestern Ontario mud into simple, beautiful jewelry.
This summer in Northwestern Ontario has been all about getting our hands dirty. Our recreation program teamed up with local arts group Art Borups Corners to explore a resource right under our feet: wild clay.
We spent weeks learning the messy, incredibly satisfying process of harvesting clay directly from the earth. We dug it up, soaked it, slaked it, and strained out the grit. While the ultimate goal is a big community pit firing this coming fall, we recently realized that our simple “test tiles” make the perfect, rustic jewelry pendants.
The best part? This project costs absolutely nothing. You don’t need a fancy studio or expensive tools—just a bit of time, a knife, and whatever nature provides.
How We Did It
You don’t need to be a master potter to make these. The beauty of wild clay is in its raw, imperfect character.
- Shape the Clay: We rolled out a small, flat slab of our processed wild clay and cut it into a simple rectangular tile using a basic pocket knife.
- Add the Texture: To give the piece a unique, organic face, we pressed a chunk of local birch log directly into the wet clay. The rough bark leaves a gorgeous, textured pattern that perfectly captures the spirit of the boreal forest.
- Make it Wearable: We poked a clean hole near the top of the tile. Doing this while the clay is still wet is crucial—once it dries and fires, that hole is how you’ll thread a cord or leather strap through to wear it.
Tip: If you don’t have a drill bit, a simple hollow reed, a thick twig, or even a plastic straw works perfectly to punch the hanging hole.
What’s Next?
Right now, our textured pendants are drying out safely. This coming fall, we’ll tuck them into a pit fire to bake them into durable, finished ceramic pieces.
If you want to try this yourself, keep your eyes open next time you’re walking near a creek bed or a damp trail. With just a little patience, a knife, and a piece of textured wood, you can wear a piece of the wild wherever you go.
