Part Two of this week’s wheelthrowing demo was altering all of the basic bowls… turning them into “not-so-basic bowls.” I took all of the basic bowls & showed my class some.very quick & simple alterations that can add some style & whimsy to their pots. I tell them that “the wheel” pretty much made the round bowl for them. Now it’s time for THEM to do something to it to make it THEIR bowl! Encouraging them to play more with their clay, try something new & have fun making pottery. Don’t sweat over it… IT’S JUST CLAY!!!

This week in my Beginning Wheelthrowing class we tackled “making bowls on purpose instead of a cylinder gone bad.” I showed them how to make a bowl with a smooth, rounded interior with no fla bottoms, no corners, no “beginner’s ledge” or indents along the way. We did a full demo… and then I sent them back to their wheels while I threw “a few more” bowls for Part Two for the demo…

And just for the record… this was ONE 25lb. bag of clay!

The first batch of mugs made with my Advanced Beginners last night during the second class of our new summer session. Looks like they’re off to a good start…

For the final class of my SURFACE DECORATION class, we pulled together all of the glazed bowls we had gotten back from the kiln. A couple weeks prior, I had challenged them all to try a different technique on a little slip of paper. It was fun to watch how each student approached their glazing challenge… but even more fun to see all of the final results!!!

Last session, one of my Intermediate Wheel students came to the first class and “proclaimed” that his goal for the class was to make EIGHTY PIECES during the session!!! As a recent condo owner, Jack has plenty of room to fill. So some of the eighty were for personal use, some are gifts, but most were just for the practice & muscle-memory of making so many pots! At our final class, Jack pulled them all out for a little “show & tell”… and the Grand Total was 84!!! Congrats Jack… you succeeded & blew us all out of the water!!! A wonderful achievement!!!

After making a tons of textured & color-slipped slabs last night in my SURFACE DECORATION class, we set out to make some cool handbuilt bowls with strips & layers pressed together. Several of us have been impressed & inspired by the work of Stephen Biggerstaff… so this was our attempt at making some small pieces in his style. It was a great “team building” class with everyone working & experimenting together! A lot of fun for all of us!!!

Last night in my SURFACE DECORATION class, we played with texture & color while making a crazy amount of colorful slabs. Many of the textures were made with my collection of MKM Pottery Tools handrollers… which my students love every time I bring them out to share!!!

Always fun to see my students playing with my SURFACE DECORATION techniques after the class demo. Like Maya & Taylor who were thrilled by their results so far! Beautifully done team!

Last night in my SURFACE DECORATION class, we played with “mishima” for this week’s technique. Basically you start with a leatherhard piece, coat it with wax… and then carve through & into the clay with a sharp blade. Once your carving is complete, you cover it with underglaze. It seeps into all of the cut lines… but the wax “protects” the background. Then you carefully wipe off the top surface to reveal your new “line drawing” on your pot. The wax will disappear during bisque during… but the underglaze will stay inlaid in your carvings. A fun demo… and I’m kinda diggin’ my final demo piece!

So last week’s class demo on throwing a large chip & dip bowl…
also became this week’s demo on stamping a large chip & dip bowl!!!
Gotta love a good double-duty demo piece!!!

But never double-dip a chip!!!