Wedging, kneading & centering practice

Hi folks,

Great first class!

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
• Weight out 4 lbs of wedged clay & knead it;
• Divide kneaded clay into into 4 1-lb balls;
• Center each ball of clay (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, & 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

Beginning Throwing Fall 2009 first class

Hi Folks,

Here's what we'll be doing for the first class:

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

Here are some resources that might help get you going. Please take a look at them some time this week:

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
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

Last day for Summer B in Arts & Crafts Center is Aug. 7

Hi Folks,

Please have your pots finished & by the end of next week (August 7); the Arts & Crafts Centers studios will be closed from August 8 through August 23. The studios will re-open when the Fall semester begins on August 24.

Cheers,
Jay

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