Most importantly we aim to have fun, hence it is a playshop rather than a workshop.
We will use stoneware clay and form utilitarian pottery such as cups, mugs, small bowls, planters, vases, or decorative sculptural pottery using real, fantasy, or abstract ideas for your inspiration.
The main hand-building methods we use are slab and pinch pot methods. Each has its unique advantage to create using them. Usually, each pottery playshop is designed using one method so everyone can begin making after the demonstration, and assistance can be given if needed. The playshop is flexible, meaning if it is slab-building to make a mug, you can make a vase, or planter-put a hole in it! Or if it is a pinch pot playshop to make cauldrons (3-legged bowls), you can make a pumpkin or planter.
Your pottery will be finished with your choice of glaze and ready for you to pick up in usually 3-4 weeks, or shipped to you at cost if you choose.
The Methods
Slab-building
The slab method is ideal for creating plates, dishes, and container-type forms like mugs, cups, planters, and vases. We roll out the stoneware clay using a rolling pin on canvas mats to 1/4 inch thickness, cut, decorate, and form or assemble to the desired shape. Below are examples of pottery using the slab-building method.
Pinch Pots
The pinch pot is another method to create forms with irregular edges or combined pieces to create sculptural forms. Starting with balls of stoneware clay, we press and gently pinch and shape the clay into spherical forms to make bowls, cups, planters, or decorative pieces like pumpkins, owls, or gargoyles! Below are examples of pottery using the pinch pot method.
