5 week Handbuilding Course
Our 5-week classes offer an in-depth exploration of working with clay, perfect for both beginners and those looking to refine their skills. Over the course, you'll learn a variety of techniques such as pinching, coiling, and slab building, each method allowing you to model you’re pieces in unique ways. By the end of the course, you'll have developed a deeper understanding of hand building and glazing, allowing you to create pieces that reflect your individual style and creativity.
Course Schedule Breakdown
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SESSION 1
The first session serves as our introductory class to the studio space, we’ll cover the safety guidelines and introduce you to all your tools and materials before beginning our pinching and coiling demonstrations. For the remainder of class you will begin your coiled vessels and prep your pinch pot pieces.
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SESSION 2
In this session we will continue work on our coiled vessels and starting our pinch pot pieces. Throughout this session we will start discussing ways to add surface texture and designs through patterns, carving and piercing. You will briefly be introduced to the slab building technique and select templates for your slab project.
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SESSION 3
This is our last day of working on our coiled vessel, as well as, finishing your pinch pot pieces by adding foot rings and handles. You will begin your slab constructions based on the templates you chose.
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SESSION 4
This session is completely focused on finishing the pieces you have been working on throughout the course. Once completed we will set them out to dry so they can prepare for their initial firing where they become bisqueware in order to prepare for our final session. We will discuss glazing and start thinking about what colors and methods we’d like to use when glazing.
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SESSION 5
After two weeks, once your work has been bisque fired we will meet for our last session to focus on glazing your pieces. Our studio has a variety test tiles showing samples of various glaze finishes ranging from dipping, drawing to painting. Once glazed, your work will be loaded into the kiln one last time for the glaze firing.
FAQ'S
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This course is perfect for beginners or those who have worked with clay before and want to develop their skills further. No previous experience is required.
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During our first session each student will receive a 10 kg bag of clay, tool kit and designated space on our studio shelf to store your work, materials and tools each week. Shelf storage is only available to those taking a 5 week course.
Access to our studio glazes, and both bisque and glaze firing is included in the price.
*Each week we also provide open studio time for those who may want to come in a little earlier to spend more time working outside of our scheduled time.
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During each of our sessions I will provide demonstrations that incorporate the different hand building techniques we will cover.
Each student will be able to make a large coiled vessel, a slab built project as well as a set of mugs/bowls and plates that will be made when learning the pinching and slab rolling techniques. Students in our last course made about 8-10 pieces.
*Keep in mind, once pieces are loaded into the kiln there is a possibility they may crack or explode, that is just the unpredictable nature of the kiln.
