A few weeks ago Quiet Creek offered an earthen construction class to introduce folks to the marvelous world of mud. The project for that day and for weeks to come is to create a circle of benches surrounding a fire ring.
One participant in the class, Christopher, commented that he hadn’t for the past forty years intentionally put his feet into mud. This fellow and his mudding friends rediscovered the fantastic fun of pushing soft clay up between their toes. Not only is it enjoyable, but mentally and physically therapeutic.
Bare feet are massaged in the clay, sand, and straw opening up blood, nerve, and energy flow to vital organs throughout the body. Many workshop attendees commented on how relaxing it was to shape and sculpt in this stress-free environment.
Before construction, Rusty and Claire surveyed the perfect spot -- a grove of Frazier firs. They cleared the area of branches and stumps and then placed field stone and feed sacks of gravel for the bench bases.
On mudding day the crew mixed equal proportions of clay and sand with straw and water. This sticky cob was tossed from hand to hand where mudders shaped the bench seats and backs. As the sculptures grew, individuals added their unique ideas creating beautiful outdoor furniture.
The final layer will consist of clay and sand (no straw) and will be allowed to completely dry. It will be topped off with a mixture of linseed oil and turpentine to seal and harden the earthen plaster. The final linseed oil and beeswax will keep the seats weather proof.
How wonderful to see “kids” of all ages getting down and dirty. Come on out and mud with us to enjoy this community space for years to come.
One participant in the class, Christopher, commented that he hadn’t for the past forty years intentionally put his feet into mud. This fellow and his mudding friends rediscovered the fantastic fun of pushing soft clay up between their toes. Not only is it enjoyable, but mentally and physically therapeutic.
Bare feet are massaged in the clay, sand, and straw opening up blood, nerve, and energy flow to vital organs throughout the body. Many workshop attendees commented on how relaxing it was to shape and sculpt in this stress-free environment.
Before construction, Rusty and Claire surveyed the perfect spot -- a grove of Frazier firs. They cleared the area of branches and stumps and then placed field stone and feed sacks of gravel for the bench bases.
On mudding day the crew mixed equal proportions of clay and sand with straw and water. This sticky cob was tossed from hand to hand where mudders shaped the bench seats and backs. As the sculptures grew, individuals added their unique ideas creating beautiful outdoor furniture.
The final layer will consist of clay and sand (no straw) and will be allowed to completely dry. It will be topped off with a mixture of linseed oil and turpentine to seal and harden the earthen plaster. The final linseed oil and beeswax will keep the seats weather proof.
How wonderful to see “kids” of all ages getting down and dirty. Come on out and mud with us to enjoy this community space for years to come.
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