In the September Course, two smaller projects will help you build a “toolbox” of pottery skills to equip you for making your main project

My autumn course schedule is now open. I hope you can come.

Figurative Forms
I’ve been in the US since June where I saw more corn than pottery in Nebraska. However, I did have time to make a small sculpture of a child wearing cowboy boots. It was a birthday gift for my brother. Making it was fun, absorbing and challenging – all desirable things when working with clay.

I’d like to do it again! So, one of the projects in the September course will be figurative forms. They’re  constructed with a variety of building techniques that you’ll first learn by making a few other projects.  Here are examples of what you could make. 

Taster Course

This term I am also offering a short taster course. If you’d just like to try out working with clay or can’t commit to a full course, this is for you! We’ll be making my ever-popular mugs. Made over two session, they are slab-built and decorated with stamps and glazes. It is a challenging project and great way to get to know clay.

Students in the May course built tiny (they are approx 4-6 inches long) shoes.  They were cut from a basic pattern (just like a cobbler would do) but then each student modified the pattern or added embellishments to create their own perfect footwear! (for a very small person). Have a look at the exhibition

Even when you’re practicing, you want to make something you like.

Next week, we will be practicing slip trailing on a small square tile. I know how it goes. I say, “just make something simple” and you think, “but I want to make something I like!” So, here are some examples of simple motifs you can use when you’re practicing. You won’t make exactly one of these designs, but they will give you a place to start.

I’m no Imelda Marcos, but I do like a pretty shoe. Recently I was wasting time on Pinterest and came across a book, “Shoes; The Complete Sourcebook” written by the delightfully named John Peacock. The book was advertised as the most comprehensive and detailed history of shoes ever published, including over 2000 specially drawn illustrations by Mr. Peacock.

Naturally I ordered the book and it has inspired one of our projects for the April course; little clay shoes. In addition, we’ll be making commemorative dishes with slipware, stamped stoneware mugs, (everybody loves those) and oxide rim tea lights.

If you haven’t already registered, please do so right away.

Base your design on a Favourite Roast Dinner from your past. This can be very broad and encompass people, places or an activity.

Watch the Great Pottery Throw down

Get some inspiration for your design by going back to the source. You can catch up on Channel 4. It is Series 7 Episode 1. You can also watch HERE online (though you have to register).

Make your design

Make some sketches or find ideas on the internet. If you don’t have time, at least come to class with a concept and you can develop it as you work.
We are using white clay. Your set will be decorated with coloured slips and underglazes. (I’ll discuss those with you in Class 2) but you can also add texture with stamps, carving, and modelling. Be creative and don’t be afraid to be silly and have fun!

Don’t worry, I’ll guide you through your build and the class will work on them at the same time.

5 piece Roast Dinner Set

Pinch pot salt and pepper shakers

You’ll join 2 pinch pots to make the hollow forms for your salt and pepper shakers. Remember, there will be a cork in the bottom and it will protrude approximately 1/2 cm. The base will need a foot or a hollowed out area. Be sure to include this in your design.

Coiled Mustard Pot with Lid

Have some fun with this – make a creative knob on your lid.

Slab-built Gravy Jug

Although you all will make the same basic form, it can be made your own with a creative handle, scalloped edges or modelling.

Hump mold dish

The dish is made on a hump mold. Clay is rolled out into a slab and then formed around the mold. You can add a decorative edge, stamps, handles or even some modelling like the little dog Dave added to his dish.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Have you been watching the Great Pottery Throwdown? It’s a good season. There are some very talented potters and (happily) not too many tears.

In one episode, the potters made a 6 piece Roast Dinner Set including a plate, a gravy boat, dish, salt and pepper pots and mustard pot. The forms and decoration were inspired by childhood memories of a favourite Roast Dinner. One potter’s theme was a day at the beach. Another’s was a walk on the Downs. They were great and really stimulated the potters’ creativity.

Call me a copy-cat, but that’s what we’ll be doing in my courses beginning w/c 26 February. It’s a lovely project for both beginners or more experienced potters. Every set will bring back memories and tell a story. 

 If you haven’t already registered, please do so now!

Candle Holders, Trophy Cups or Goblets

In this project, we’ll be making columnar pieces with a mix of building and decorating techniques. You can create as you go and really use your imagination. It’s a terrific project for those of you who love modelling, decorating, and building. Have a look here for inspiration and register for a course!

Bird Feeders

We’ll also be making bird feeders. These will primarily be made with coils but you can use other building techniques if you prefer. They can be as simple or as complicated as you like. They’ll be finished just as the birds start getting hungry and they’ll love them!

Porcelain is the queen of clays. When thin, it can be nearly translucent. Thicker, it has a fine and very hard surface that is different than any other clay.

However, porcelain is also tricky to work with. It has a very different consistency than other clays. It’s sticky. It warps. It cracks. Getting really good at porcelain requires a lot of knowledge and practice.

Happily, I think I’ve found some projects that will work for even us beginners. It may be sticky, warpy, and cracky, but we should get to work with porcelain too! Wonky porcelain is better than no porcelain.

Using slab and pinching techniques, we’ll make Christmas-ish table decorations, tea lights, spoons and small dishes.

Embrace the challenge of working with porcelain in this short course

This is a one session short course, offered on two days. I’ll glaze everything and have it ready for you to pick up in two weeks…just in time for Christmas gifts.

Dates

Tuesday, 28 November 6:30-9:30

Wednesday, 29 November 1:30-4:30

Price

£50 for 3-hour class.

Please register by 20 November. I know it is rather late to advertise this class and I’m not sure how much uptake I’ll have. Classes that don’t reach my minimum number of students will be cancelled on 22 November. Please don’t pay until 23 November (or pay in class).

Please note:

Because porcelain is challenging, this class is only for students who have previously taken one of my courses. New students, please register for a course in 2024!

Music Box Process

October 2023 course students are making music boxes. Here is an overview of how the music box will develop over the coming weeks.

1: Preparation
Students’ Homework for the next class:

• Design:
  Look for inspiration on my Pinterest site HERE.
  
• Template This determines the size and shape of your box. Cut it out from card or heavy paper.
  • The clay shrinks approx 10%. So add 10% to all of the final dimensions for your box
  • The box needs to be big enough to hold the mechanism
  • If you aren’t sure or don’t have time, I will have a ready-made template for a box that is 15x11x9cm.
  • These are the final dimensions for my music box. The templates would have been 10% larger than the final dimensions.
  • Notice that my lid was made separately with a pinch pot. You can also make a cylinder for the entire form and then cut it in two to make the lid
    

• You will decorate the box using:
  Underglazes: These are the small pots of paint you used on your mouse.
  Decals – Choose from:
  – Existing workshop stock
  – Custom made: If you want a more personal image, You will need to email me a good photo of it. The size of the decal will depend on the size of your box. We can talk about that in class. I will order the decals. There will be a small extra charge for this.

2. Make the box

Boxes are made from white earthenware clay using slabs, modelling, and pinch pot techniques.

3: bisque fire

4: Decorate with underglazes and apply clear glaze

5: Glaze fire

6: Apply decals

7: Decal fire

8: Insert the mechanism and let the music begin!