Tag: ceramic

Learn to Throw – Adults

Learn to throw on a potter’s wheel. Group lessons limited to 4 students. There is nothing more satisfying than taking a lump of clay and making something functional.  Price is for 8 two hour classes and includes materials. The class will cover centering, throwing techniques, trimming and glazing . Techniques to decorate a pot, including adding clay, carving, sgraffito, and use of underglazes and washes will be covered.

This is primarily focusing on beginner techniques. Click here for a course outline .     8 week class outline

Three classes are scheduled for the summer. One class will be for adults, and two others for teens. This  class is for adults and will take place Wednesday evenings, from 6 – 8 pm starting October 6. It will run 8 weeks: October 6, 13, 20, 27, November 3, 10, 17, and 24*.

For tickets, click here:  adult wheel

5/17/21 – Due to covid, pottery wheels are backordered and are not expected to be delivered until sometime mid- September 2021. 

The November 24 class may be rescheduled, depending on people’s schedules. 

Zentangle and Clay

Join us for this multimedia fusion workshop where clay and mindfulness combine for an uber creative experience. Certified zentangle teacher, Donna Spencer, will start the first of 3 classes to share her knowledge of zentangle. Zentangle is defined as ” a form of meditative doodling that has patterns, or tangles, put together to form a Zen-tangle.” What we will be doing in this workshop is adding texture to a platter that you will make using stamps, that you will also make, in a manner consistent with zentangle design.  

During the first workshop, Donna will lead you through some selected zentangle  patterns.  You will take that knowledge to create a zentangle design of your own on paper – about the size of the eventual platter you will make. You will then take that knowledge and create clay stamps which will be used on your own clay platter.  
 
The next week, Sept. 22, you will make a clay platter. Your stamps will have been “fired”, so that they will be hard enough to stamp the clay, and can be used on your platter. The platter is about 14 x 11 inches*. The final platter will be oven proof, dishwasher safe, and microwavable. 
 
The last day (Sept 29) of the workshop, week 3,  will be spent refining your platter and glazing. 
 
The combination of clay, where you take a lump of clay and turn it into something beautiful and functional, and zentangle, is surely one of the most mindful activities ever created. 
 
Here is a fun example of how one potter uses stamps in his pottery.

Buy Tickets Here: Zen and Clay

This is a platter Donna made using a glazed zentangle design on a clay platter.

Donna and I will be making prototypes for this class over the next couple of weeks so I hope to have better examples to show.

The class will meet September 15, 22, and 29 from 6 to 8 pm.  
 
Prototype trays in process:
 
Here are examples of zentangle design used on pottery from the internet (It requires joining pinterest which is free); zen pottery
 

 

Make a Garden Fish (Or Bird)

There are catfish, dogfish, why not garden fish? In this workshop, you will make a fish (or bird), about a foot long, or two smaller, perfect for adorning your garden. Using a template, or making one of your own design, you will be led through the steps to make a fish similar to the ones pictured. The fish have a layer of glass melted over them, giving them a sparkle when the sun hits in the garden. The fish are two sided but only one side can have the glass.  I have had my fish outside all winter for two years, now, with no impact on them.  Driftwood and birch not included. This workshop will take place Monday, August 23 and 30 from 3 – 5  pm. Two hours is saved for each workshop, but it is likely the full 2 hours will not be needed. The workshop is limited to 8 attendees. All ages welcome, though, out of an abundance of caution, vaccination is required, as are masks, until further notice.

 

Buy tickets Here: Bird.

Make a Toad or Fairy House

What?! You say your toads and garden fairies are homeless? Now, you can build them their very own safe and secure home, out from under foot, perfect for your garden. This particular house is ten inches tall and 7 inches wide.

You will make a ceramic home using slabs of clay and different textures to create that one of a kind home. You will be led through basic construction, and helped to design any embellishments you want to add, within the time allowed. The first class, August 24 from 3 to 5 pm,  will be spent constructing the home, the second, August 31 from 3 to 5 pm, will be spent glazing. After you make and glaze your house, your finished house will be available for pick up, at Prescott,  within 2 weeks.

Both classes will likely take the full two hours allotted.  This workshop is limited to 8 people. 

All ages welcome, though I recommend age 10 and above.  What a great way to spend time with the family before school starts. 

Theoretically, these houses can be left out all winter, but it is not advisable.

For tickets, click here: Toad House

Toad and Fairy Houses made by other students:

20190115_084754-e1547561777311-169x300-1

Image 1 of 8

Make a Garden Fish (or bird)

There are catfish, dogfish, why not garden fish? In this workshop, you will make a fish (or bird), about a foot long, or two smaller, perfect for adorning your garden. Using a template, or making one of your own design, you will be led through the steps to make a fish similar to the ones pictured. The fish have a layer of glass melted over them, giving them a sparkle when the sun hits in the garden. The fish are two sided but only one side can have the glass.  I have had my fish outside all winter for two years, now, with no impact on them.  Driftwood and birch not included This workshop will take place Wednesday, August 11 and18 from 6 – 8 pm. Two hours is saved for each workshop, but it is likely the full 2 hours will not be needed. The workshop is limited to 8 attendees. All ages welcome, though, out of an abundance of caution, vaccination is required, as are masks, until further notice.

 

Buy tickets Here: Garden Fish.

Make a Spoon Rest (September)

There is so much that is good about learning to make pottery! To take a lump of clay and transform it into something beautiful – that is also functional, is so incredibly satisfying. A spoon rest is one of those things that is functional, but also has so much versatility in terms of design. (Also, they make great presents!)  There is no end to how creative you can get with your design. 

Working from a template and mold, you will make three spoon rests that reflect your own own style! One spoon rest will be similar to the one shown using a magnolia leaf (or bring your own leaf from home), another will be the more traditional spoon  rest, the third allows you to tap into your own creativity and create your own design.

The first day of this two day workshop will be spent making the actual spoon rests. Depending on how much detail you include, or how much you branch out on your own design, it will take a little over an hour. The second class will also take around an hour for glazing. 

The class is limited to 8 people, and will take place on Monday evening, 7 – 9 pm, September 20 and 27.  For examples of other spoonrests folks across the internet have made: click here

Student Made

Student Made using hosta leaf

Make a Mirror

Functional beauty that lets your creativity shine. That is what working with clay is all about. Making a mirror frame is one of the easiest ways to learn about clay and there are so many different styles that are easy and will make your friends think you have been working with clay for decades. You can add clay to make a design, carve a design, use stamps, or use different available textures. Your finished mirror frame will be about 10 by 7 inches. The first class will be spent making the frame, the second class will be spent glazing, and the last class will be spent adding gluing the glass in and adding a backing, and wire or string for hanging.  The glass we will be using is mirror glass from mirrors  that have been upcycled glass. The first class will be nd the last class will be September 29.  The workshop will meet from 7 to 9 pm on these days. It will be limited to 8 students. 

For examples of other mirror frames made by ceramicists across the internet, click here

Make a Pocket Succulent Garden (Sept)

This three day workshop combines the fun of working with clay, as well as the enjoyment and satisfaction of gardening. The first day we will make the actual pocket container from a slab of stoneware clay. Different shapes and textures will be explored to help you create a planter into which you will plant 3 baby succulents. The second class, the following week, we will prepare the container for glazing and then glaze.  Different methods of glazing and the different glazes available will be covered. The third week of class will be spent planting the container you made using small 2 inch succulents. (The succulents I have ordered from Mountaincrest Gardens are not hardy). You can choose from the  many varieties I will have. When the pocket garden is finished, take it home and hang in a sunny spot of honor!

The workshop will meet September 14, 21, and 28, from 7 to 9 pm.  None of the classes will likely take the full 2 hours allowed. 

 

Make a Leaf Print Platter

How many leaves do you recognize from the platter below? I love finding ways to incorporate nature into the things I make. This platter is not only very functional but really pretty, too! Using leaves and flowers from around my house, you are welcome to bring your own, you will make a ceramic platter that when finished is about 9 x 5 inches.  It will be dishwasher safe, microwavable and oven proof. 

This is a great project for you to do with your child.  It is very easy, and everyone will find success with it, no matter the level of proficiency. The class will be offered Wednesday, 1 and 8, from 7 to 9 pm.  The class will be limited to 8 students.  The first class will focus on making the platter and arranging the leaves. This will take about an hour. The second class will focus on  getting the platter ready for glaze and glazing. The second class will take about an hour.

For tickets, click here: platter

Open Studio Sept 30

Feeling creative!? Join us Thursday evenings from 7 to 9 pm to make your own creation. I will be available to provide technical assistance for you to achieve your clay ideas. Pretty much no limit on what you can make. 

This will be a test run for the month of September, where clay and materials are  included in the price. When the pottery wheels come in, anticipated for October, the pricing may change. 

Prerequisite: 2 previous classes or workshops with me. Limit of 8 people per class.