when joseph and his family go out to gather clay they do it with the utmost respect. before the clay can be taken from mother earth they must say a prayer asking to take the clay and tell the clay mother that they are going to take her and make her into a beautiful pot. the clay is brought home and water is added to turn the clay to a liquid form known as slip. the slip is then strained threw a screen to take out any rocks or roots and then the clay can be dried wedged up to be used.