This morning’s class demo was throwing larger bowls. I showed them how to make two different styles. They’re now up in my studio… maybe… hypothetically… “allegedly” waiting for a little stamped detail fun!

Tonight in my Advanced Beginner’s Wheelthrowing class we tackled trimming, handles & making mugs! Working with the cylinders they threw last week… they cranked out a LOT of mugs tonight! Not bad for only their second class of the session!!!

My demo last night was back to bowls… but as most of my Intermediate Wheel students have already seen my “full-blown bowl demo,” so we kept it simple. Our real goal is to tackle berry bowls next week… trimming & drilling holes… so last night was just a quick demo and a bigger stepping stone towards next week!

Also last night in my pottery class, Kelly was decorating some large platters with thick slip. We were all loving the spontaneous-looking textures & patterns she was getting as the slip squished & rippled in all the right places!!!

Last night in my Intermediate Wheelthrowing class, one of my students unwrapped her pots from last week to do a some trimming… and we found THIS under the plastic!!!

Like a Las Vegas Hotel imploding… this cylinder totally crumpled down at the bottom, and the bottom even separated itself from the walls. The other two cylinders wrapped together with this one were totally fine. My only guess is that it was left with some water in the bottom, and then when it was covered with plastic it created a mini “rainforest” in there and the clay slaked-down just like the clay in my reclaim bucket. Never a dull day in pottery!

It’s always nice to get back to work in the New Year. To get back to a bit of a routine again after “sliding though the holidays.” Always fun to get back to teaching… to meet your new students, plan out the syllabus and getting them all fired up again! We’ve all been off for awhile now. Everyone is so happy to be back!!!

To get us started, we made a few simple mug cylinders. But one of my New Years plans is to “play” a bit and try out a few new shapes & profiles. Sometimes the work, sometime they don’t!!!

For my Monday night intermediate class, we discussed how to “alter” some of the shapes, so we worked on indenting, squaring-off, faceting (which we didn’t keep)… and a few more ideas! And then my Tuesday night Beginners started off with some more basic cylinders… which they will trim and add handles to next week!

I, of course, just added a few more stamped details to the mix in my studio tonight… MORE IS MORE… and still, some of them work, some of them don’t… and some of them might need a little re-visiting later?!!!

Mug #1 –

Mug #2 –

Mug #3 –

Mug #4 –

Mug #5 –

Mug #6 –

Mug #7 –

Mug #8 –

So for now these mug cylinders are all under plastic wrap for the night. I will continue to work on most of them in my studio. The last three I’ll save for next Tuesday’s Beginner’s class when we’ll discuss trimming & adding handles. They’re going to be “surprised” when they finish their first batch of mugs at their second class!!!

First with the good… THE GREAT POTTERY THROWDOWN is starting up again with season four this evening. Looks like Keith Brymer Jones is back for more crying, and the kiln loading guy has been promoted to Judge!!!

The bad news?… not sure how we’re going to get to see it here in the US yet. My cable doesn’t go all the way to the UK for Channel 4.

And more BAD NEWS…
I found out yesterday that my own GREAT LILLSTREET THROWDOWN class (also season four) has been cancelled for this Winter session due to lack of enrollment. I’m not surprised, as we’re still so “covid-limited” with very little open studio time… and this class has a “history” of big projects, lots of studio time and a “smidge” of homework. Or maybe they’re all just scared that the projects keep getting more creative & intense?!!! Either way, I’m sure we’ll re-visit this class at Lillstreet in the future when things clear up a bit and we have more access to Open Studio time!

Looking to find a little more zen & calm in your 2021???…
don’t forget a new session of pottery classes start next week at Lillstreet Art Center. My Beginning & Intermediate classes are already full, but there is still space in my Advanced Wheelthrowing class on Thursday mornings from 10:00am-1:00pm. Click on the link if you want to improve your skills, streamline your techniques, or just relax & get muddy with us starting next week!

Click here – Advanced Wheelthrowing classes!

Looking for something fun to do this New Year?!
Push yourself & play with your clay!!!

Registration is open for THE GREAT LILLSTREET THROWDOWN – season four!!! Based on the BBC reality show, this class is for intermediate & advanced potters who want to jump-start the New Year. Creative projects, challenges, contests & races to keep it challenging & fun for everyone!!! Click on the link below to sign-up for this Thursday night class at Lillstreet Art Center… always one of my favorite classes to teach!

Click here – THE GREAT LILLSTREET THROWDOWN

It’s another MUGSHOT MONDAY… and to celebrate tonight my “Mugshot Mondays” students finished their 3-week class by glazing all of their mugs. And we all know that a good glazing session begins with a good waxing session! I’m not really a “fan” of glazing… ugh… but oddly, I do LOVE WAXING the bottoms?!!!