Old School Clay and Ceramics

During July, we were lucky to have ceramic artist Keons Sekera lead us in the ancient process of pit firing. Like many ceramic processes, the results can never be predetermined. We were lucky, though, to have a couple of real beauties come forth from the ashes.

During the first class, folks made pots – whatever they wanted to send through the fire. We use a raku clay so that the pot is better able to withstand temperature extremes and not crack or explode. The pot is then bisque fired in the electric kiln. We then covered the pot with a mixture of oxides and carbonates, wrapped it in toil foil, the saggar, with different things within the foil, including, pineapples, seaweed, lichen, leaves, copper wire, and steel wool. Those items interact , fume, stain, and basically create colors on the surface of the pot during the firing. That package is then wrapped in a further layer of clay and placed in a pit. A fire is then built around the pots and allowed to burn overnight.

We will be doing this again in August, and would love you join us.

Indian Rock Trail to the Boulder Trail – An easy trail, great for younger kids, protect against deer fly.

Most conifers are evergreens

Trees with needles that are its leaves. 

Gamlin Crystal Springs has hemlock

Some as tall as jack’s big beanstalk

Wander among the cooling shade 

Try to ignore the bug brigade

Follow the trail along the swamp

Do you see where the beavers chomp?

Big boulders  covered in rock tripe

An edible lichen when ripe

How about those thin red pines 

Full of holes and a certain sign

A dying tree  where birds do dine. 

Look inside and you may find

A bunch of coins tied with twine.

The folks who shared the land with us 

Called the outcrop Indian Rock

The views on top are worth a gawk

Beyond the rock slide you’ll divine 

A cave a home to porcupine

It is very sad to see

The desecration to this entity 

Hidden near his rocky home

Exists another hidden coin.

Take the bridge to the other side 

Look for the boulder to the left 

More coins are hidden in the cleft

Who built the stone wall in the woods?

What purpose does it serve?

Was it built when cows did graze

Before the growth of trees? 

Was it 100 years ago ?

some things we’ll never know.

Follow the trail a little ways

Another boulder stands on watch

Is that a face I see

Carved by time serendipitously

Behind  the rock and you will find 

More clay coins near his “spine.”

Contact Old School Clay and Ceramics to schedule your party at our studio for the best creative fun! Old School Clay has expanded and the new larger site will accommodate up to 20 people. We will offer all kinds of fun projects for the beginner with no experience required. You can schedule for one day projects, where you will make the piece of pottery, and our staff will finish your work, or two day projects where you make and glaze your pottery. There is no additional charge if you come back to glaze your project. These projects would also be great for homeschoolers or scouts, corporate outings, or even as a family outing.

Once finished all the pottery will be dishwasher safe, microwaveable and oven proof, if protected from thermal shock.

Potential Projects

Make a Plate: Each participant will have an opportunity to make their very own plate. The plate is the perfect size for a snack or bagel or muffin. Each participant will decorate the plate how they want. One could use leaves or texture (carved or stamped) to make their own unique design. $15 per person, minimum $150

Make a Bowl: Using coils and a mold, participants will make a bowl. Coiling is just one of any different ways to make pottery that is not only functional – but beautiful! With coils, one can create textures and designs with the clay – which, after glazing creates subtle beauty. $15 per person, minimum $150

Make A Vase : Using extruded clay tubes, either round or square, you can decorate the tube as you want. Use leaves to make an imprint (seasonal availability) or add clay decorations. $15 per person, minimum $150

Make a Luncheon Plate: Once finished, this plate is about 9 inches wide, making it suitable for a luncheon plate. We can discuss different ways to decorate it, which will determine the cost to make this very functional dish. $20 – $25 per person, Minimum of $200.

Make a wind chime: Using leaves as an imprint, we will make a wind chime with five chimes of about 4 inches each. Beads can also be included. They look great hanging from a stick or driftwood (not included). $15 per person, minimum $150. (This wind chime was made by another artist). Final assembly is your responsibility.

Make a Leaf Bowl: Using a large leaf, such as a catalpa leaf, or grape leaf, or Norway maple, we will roll the leaf into the clay and then cut around the leaf. This project can only be done when these leaves are available. we will then use a form to drape the leaf on, creating a bowl shape. $15 per person, minimum of $150.

Make a Tray – Functional and attractive. Use any number of different textures, from the 20 studio rolling pins, to multiple stamps, or different texture plates. Add handles – or not. It is a blank canvas for you to decorate! $30 – $35 per person, Minimum of $250.

The potters of Old School Clay will again be having a pottery sale on the front lawn in front of Prescott Community School the Saturday before Mother’s Day, Saturday May 10 from 10 am – 1 pm. At least 10 different potters will have their pottery for sale. Last year, much of the pottery was made with mom in mind. Many items perfect for the garden, including pre-planted ceramic planters, as well as various types of ceramic garden art. A couple of the ceramic artists will also have jewelry.  Hope to see you there!

You have completed the “Intro to Pottery” workshop, and developed a love of working with clay, so what is the next step?  

At this point, I don’t think I have enough students to offer a separate “Continuing on” workshop, so what I am going to suggest is that you sign up for another  :”Learn to Throw” 8 week workshop, and I will tailor the classes to accommodate your continuing interest.

What I am thinking the next round would look like:

1. Challenge to make a 6 inch tall cylinder – that cylinder would then be made into a pitcher. Different types of lips would be demonstrated.
2. Make a larger pot by adding two thrown pots together. Carving clay as a means of decoration.
3. Make a chip and dip. Using slip trailing to decorate.
4. Make a necked bottle . Using wax resist to decorate.
5. Make 4 matching pedestal ice cream bowls.
6. Small Casserole – covered bowl – focus on handles and knobs – functional and artistic.
7. Finish up any work, begin glazing
8. Glazing

This class will use much more clay than previous classes. In order to make it financially feasible for me, at the price offered, only one item will be kept per class, with the exception of the pedestal bowls.

Assuming all the pots make it through the various stages, you would be taking home 9 pots at the end of the course.

I hope to see you all again!

Maynard Farmer’s Market: September 7