Beginning Wheelthrowing Week 5: Handles

http://www.flickr.com/photos/divemasterking2000/ / CC BY 2.0

For your 2-hour practice this week, pull 8 handles for practice, then add handles to 2 mugs from last week. If you don't have mugs yet, please throw 8 mugs and keep 2.

If you like, you can try pulling your handles directly from the pot (the way Simon Leach does it), or you can pull them separately and attach them later the way I demonstrated in class.

SIMON LEACH - handling of the mugs
Video of Simon Leach pulling handles for mugs

Next week, we'll review handles and also take a look at our 3rd shape, bud vases.

Cheers!

Beginning Throwing week 4: Mugs

Simon leach throws mugs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7v_s7kL-Jg

For your 2-hour practice this week, throw 8 mug bodies and keep the best 2.

Next week, we'll look at how to make handles for your mugs.

See you next Thursday!

-Jay

Kites & Clouds show in Reitz Union Gallery

Stop by to see the show in the Reitz Union Gallery before or after Beginning Throwing class this Thursday. The opening reception starts at 7pm. My experience is that food runs out in the first 20 minutes, so be early!:

Kites and Clouds

UF Ceramics seniors Hannah Pate and Ashley Neukamm

Reitz Union Gallery

Feb 8-19^th

Opening Reception

Thursday, Feb. 11

7-9 pm

Beginning Wheelthrowing week 3: glazing

No videos this week, but below is a PDF document with some notes on glazing your pots. Remember to wax the bottom!:
Notes on glazing


During 2-hour practice this week:

• Finish leatherhard bowls from last week & put on shelf to dry
• Finish bone-dry bowls & put on "ready to bisque" cart
• Glaze any bisque pots & put in kiln room for glaze firing
• If you have time, practice making bowls on the wheel (throw 8 1-pound pieces of clay, keep 2)

Next class, we'll look at making mugs on the potters wheel.

See you Thursday!

-Jay

Beginning wheelthrowing practice times

FYI,

You're welcome to come in and use the ceramics studios at the Retiz Union Arts and Crafts Center any time the ACC studio's open and there's no class in session.

-Jay

Beginning Throwing, week 2: throwing & finishing bowls

Hi folks,

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

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
• Roll the bottom edge
• Write your name and the date on the bottom
  
• Put the piece back on the class shelf (unwrapped) until it is bone dry
  
• When piece is bone dry:
• clean up rough spots with a metal rib or fettling knife and a damp sponge
• put the piece on the "to bisque" shelf for bisque firing
  

Next class we'll talk about:

• glazing and decorating
• softening clay
• reclaiming clay

Cheers,
Jay

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