Pottery class- Week 1 practice

Hi folks,

For your 2 hours of practice time this week, please attempt to center 8 1-pound balls of clay by next class:

• Wedge all of your clay (6 lbs)
• Weight out 4 lbs of wedged clay and knead it;
• Divide kneaded clay into into 4 1-lb balls;
• Center each ball of clay; try to spend no more than 10 minutes per piece. You may try to shape it into a bowl if you like;
• When you've centered all 4 pieces of clay, wedge them back up with the rest of your clay and repeat this whole process 1 more time

If a piece collapses on the wheel, cut it off and start again with a fresh ball of clay; don't try to rework the collapsed piece.

Please refer to the last blog post for notes and videos on wedging, kneading, and centering.

If you kept a piece you made during class, unwrap it during your practice time so it has a chance to dry a bit. Remember to wrap it back up, label it with your name, and put it back on the shelf before you leave.

Next class, we'll look at the rest of the throwing process, and how to finish a bowl.

Cheers!
Jay

Bring a towel to first pottery class tonight ( 5 PM Thursday, Sep. 16 )

Hi Folks,

Here's what we'll be doing for the first pottery class tonight (Sep. 16 at 5pm):

• Waivers and name tags
• What we'll be making: Bowls, mugs and bud vases
• Get clay and rent a locker
• Wedging and kneading demo and practice
• Centering demo and practice
• Practice session sign-up

Also, if you can, please bring a small towel with you to class.

Here are some resources that might help get you going. Please take a look before class if you get a chance:

Wedging your clay

Step-by-step instructions with photos of potter Michael Wendt wedging clay using the stack-and-slam method. (Wedging mixes the clay to eliminate lumps and unevenness)

Two ways to knead your clay

Video of potter Dorian Beaulieu kneading clay using two different methods. (Kneading eliminates air pockets in the clay).


Tips on centering
Video of English potter Simon Leach on how to center your clay

demo notes: wedging
Step-by-step notes on how to wedge and knead your clay (Adobe PDF).

Here's a video of potter Simon Leach making a bowl from beginning to end:
SIMON LEACH - Close up - GP bowl !!

See you tonight!
Jay