After the class discussion & demo about sgraffito, my SURFACE DECORATION class set-off to decorate their own pieces. The goal was to get crisp clean lines & patterns carved through the dark layer of slip or underglaze to reveal the lighter clay body. They really enjoyed using my collection of DiamondCore Tools to get some crisp & clean carving lines. The perfect way to let their creative expressions reveal themselves!

For my SURFACE DECORATION class last week, we tackled some sgraffito… decorative carving through a contrasting color layer to reveal the lighter clay body color below! We talked about a few techniques & tricks… and then I started carving a couple of my platters as a demo… and soon enough they were ready to tackle their own pieces! Good thing I had my DiamondCore Carving Tools ready for some crisp clean lines… that also made some pretty cool “zebra” layered clippings!

Prior to last week’s SURFACE DECORATION class, I threw these three large platters and added a band of black underglaze. The goal was to get them to a nice stiff leatherhard stage to be ready for our surface decoration project demo of the week. Yep… you guessed it… SGRAFFITO!!!

Another “yellow towel situation” in class tonight. But the last time they offered s’mores-flavored OREOs they called them “S’more OREO’s.” Which I thought was odd… like they had missed the mark?! This time they fixed the name… and now it makes a LOT more sense!

“S’mOREOs”… I mean… I thought it was obvious!!!

For my Intermediate Wheelthrowing class, we tackled throwing larger pieces last week… by stacking two pieces together and then re-throwing through the attachment. There’s always a little apprehensive moment when you hold your breath & flip one over to connect them together. Hoping they fit… hoping they don’t squish… hoping they don’t flop! Luckily, the demo went pretty well… as I connected the two pieces but didn’t worry too much about the finished look as I knew there “might just” be some stamping in the near future!!!

So last week during my SURFACE DECORATION class, my students got their glaze test pieces back from the kiln! The week before we focused on some “different” glazing techniques… and I encouraged them to try something new that they’ve never done before. They’re always hesitant to try new things on their own pieces… so I actually gave them some bisqued cylinders that I made for them ahead of time to play on! Overall, I think they all liked the results… learning some new tricks along the way. I kind of wish we had used a bit more glaze on a few of them that were looking for some good glaze drips running down the sides… not enough glaze, not much of a drip!

After the class discussion & demo about sgraffito, my SURFACE DECORATION class set-off to decorate their own pieces. The goal was to get crisp clean lines & patterns carved through the dark layer of slip or underglaze to reveal the lighter clay body. They really enjoyed using my collection of DiamondCore Carving Tools to get some crisp & clean carving lines. The perfect way to let their creative expressions reveal themselves!

As we near the end of our pottery class session, we’re also nearing the “Big Reveal” of THE GREAT AMERICAN BAKING SHOW. Last night we celebrated the latest batch of “losers” who didn’t quite make it to the finals! Yummy treats based-on & inspired-by the four bakers… baklava for Karis, churros for Sean, key lime ice cream parfait cups for Nerali & purple ube cupcakes for Susan! Quite the night for my students. Exciting to see that our very own Martin has made it into the Top Three & will be baking & competing in the FINALS!!! Go Martin!!!

Last Thursday night, while I was driving north to Minneapolis for the Pottery Tour, my SURFACE DECORATION class was having a fun class without me!!! Luckily, I planned ahead and pre-made some bowls & cylinders for them to play with. And then I also scheduled the best sub teacher ever… Catherine Tweedie with her best water etching demo ever!!! Basically painting patterns with wax resist… and then wiping away the “unprotected” areas to remove a layer of clay or colored slip. It can create some great images, as well as some depth & texture. From the photos she sent me, it looks like they all had a great time. Now I can’t wait to see their masterpieces in real life!!!

In addition to my piñata cupcakes… our “real” baker Martin also celebrated CAKE WEEK with yummy slices of his coconut & mango cake! Cute in its individual box… but better presentation points when I took it home! Homemade food always tastes better on handmade pottery!