Registration for Fall leisure courses begins Aug. 21

Hi Folks,

Mark your calendars: Registration for Fall leisure classes will open August 21^st and classes will start on Tuesday September 8^th, after the Labor Day holiday.

Cheers,
Jay

Notes on glazing (Bowls week 3)

Hi folks,

Hope you enjoyed the course! Please take a look at the list of leisure courses next semester- there's a lot more to learn!

Below is a PDF document with some notes on glazing your pots. Remember to wax the bottom!:
Notes on glazing

Cheers,
Jay

Last bowls class tomorrow night (Tuesday 7/21/2009 5 pm)!

Remember, the next (and final) bowls class starts at 5 pm tomorrow night (7/21/2009)

What we'll be doing:

• Glazing your pot;
• Making bigger bowls and other shapes;
• Directions for the future

If you can, please come in early so you can have your clay ready to throw by 5.

Don't forget your towel!

Cheers,
Jay

Bowls class week 2 notes & video

One resource & one tip this week:

Resource:
SIMON LEACH - how to quickly finish & fettle mugs (YouTube)
This is how English potter Simon Leach finishes mugs. Pay special attention to how he "thumbs off" the bottoms of his mugs (starting at 3 minutes and 30 seconds); we'll be doing the same thing to the bottom of our bowls.

Tip:
Drying and finishing your pots

• Let piece stiffen on the bat (or use hair dryer)
• As soon as the piece is stiff enough to handle without distortion, flip it over so the bottom can dry
• Dry slowly; wrap in plastic to keep moist (newspaper square top and bottom)
• Remember to label your piece with your name and the date while it's on the shelf
  
• When piece is leatherhard (about the hardness of cheddar cheese):
• Tap the bottom so it bulges inward slightly
• Thumb the bottom edge
• Write your name and the date on the bottom with a stylus
• When piece is bone dry, clean up rough spots with a metal rib and a damp sponge

For your two-hour practice session this week, make at least four bowls. Keep the best bowl, and recycle the others.

Next week is our last class. We'll talk about:

• Glazing
• Big bowls (and other shapes)
• What to do for the rest of the semester

Cheers,
Jay

Bowls: 2nd class (7/14/2009 at 5 pm)

Hi Folks,

Remember, the next bowls class starts at 5 pm tonight (7/14/2009)

Please remember to bring a small towel.

If you can, try to come in early and get your clay weighed, wedged, and kneaded before class starts.

Even better, come in *very* early and get some practice!

Cheers,
Jay

Learning Curves

Even though this article by outdoor adventurer and author Mark Jenkins is about mountain climbing, karate, and and cross county skiing, it nicely sums up the right way to approach making pots on the wheel:

Learning Curves

From page 5:

Here's a rule I try to remember: Rushing is almost always wrong. Rushing robs you of the charm of the moment. To rush is to have your mind always out ahead of your body, which is so unnatural that stupid mistakes are inevitable. The opposite of hurrying is not slow, but swift. To be swift you must be efficient. Efficiency in the outdoors is a form of mindfulness. It's about focus and having the knowledge and ability to make the right moves—and that requires experience, which, alas, takes time.

Bowls, Week one: wedging, kneading & centering

Hi folks,

First class was a bit overwhelming, eh? Don't worry, it gets easier- as long as you practice! For your 2 hours of practice time this week, please attempt to center 8 1-pound balls of clay by next class.

Remember to wedge and knead your clay- you can either knead each 1-pound piece by itself, or you can knead all 4 pounds at once before dividing into 4 pieces.

Below are some resources to help get you going:

A closer look at kneading
Video of English potter Simon Leach on how to knead your clay using the spiral method. This is a bit different from the method we practiced in class, but the general principle is the same.

Wot kneading again!
Video of English potter Simon Leach kneading from a different angle.

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

demo notes wedging.20080912.pdf
Step-by-step notes on how to wedge and knead your clay (Adobe PDF).

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

Cheers,
Jay