Hi AquaTex, welcome to the forum...

I took a pottery class a few decaes ago... . If I remember, clay that has been fired, is porus, if it hasn't had a 'glaze' applied to it.
Rolling out the 'ropes' and cutting them, sounds like the way to go.

Will you try building your own kiln, or maybe buy a used one ...? Again, trying to remeber...the kiln is slowly brought up to a very high temp and held there for quite awhile, then slowly cooled.
Sure hope it works out for you...