Welcome!

What is CLAY? Clay is an earthy material of fine grained minerals with traces of metal oxides and organic matter.

Handbuilding Techniques This term refers to the one of several techniques of building pots using the only the hands and simple tools rather than the potters wheel. The term used for creating pottery using the potter's wheel is "throwing".

Pinch "Pinch" in ceramics is a method of shaping clay by inserting the thumb of one hand into the clay and lightly pinching with the thumb and fingers while slowly rotating the ball in the palm of the other hand. Pots made in this manner are called "pinch pots". Begin by forming a smooth ball that fits in your palm (fist size). Press the thumb into the center half-way to the bottom. Revolve the ball while pressing the walls out evenly with the other hand.

Coil This is the technique of building ceramic forms by rolling out coils, or ropes, of clay and joining them together with the fingers or a tool. Keeping the fingers flat, form clay into sausage shapes. Roll them into ropes (coils) 1/4" to 1/2" thick Coils are pressed together creating a design. Gaps are filled in with small balls of clay. Inside of the wall can be smoothed. Join the walls & the bottom.

Slab The slab building technique involves rolling out clay to an even thickness - usually ¾” - then cutting shapes, folding, bending and joining together to form a finished object. Have a plan or template Roll slabs of clay Cut out the sides Join the sides (score and slip!!) Attach the bottom Cut out the excess clay from the bottom slab.

4 Drying Stages of Clay SLIP Liquid clay used to join parts together PLASTIC Can be easily manipulated and sculpted.

LEATHER HARD Final touches, carving, decorating BONE DRY Don’t touch it! Ready for Bisque Firing

GREENWARE Bone dry pottery, most fragile state, ready to be bisque. BISQUE WARE Unglazed pottery that has been fired in the kiln once GLAZE WARE Ware that has glaze applied, ready for its final firing Other Terms:

Steps to Join Clay Pieces SCORESLIP ATTACH

Tools that you are going to use in this class

Glazing rules: apply at least 2 coats apply coats evenly, wait for a coat to dry before applying the next one do not apply glaze on a bottom surface - the one that will be in contact with the kiln's shelf. Wipe bottom clean with a wet sponge before turning in for glaze firing CLEAN your materials and table

FUNCTIONAL POTTERY USE THESE IMAGES TO GLEAN IDEAS FOR FORM AND TEXTURE FOR YOUR PROJECT!

Holders Candle/Soap Holders

Votive Candle and Scented Oil Warmer

Slab Constructed Wall Vase

Rice Bowls with Chop Stick Rests

Leaf Bowl

Garden Markers

Decorative vases

Jewelry Series – you have to buy the findings prior to start of project

Candle Holder

Stuff Holder Decorative VaseDecorative Vase

Salsa and Dip Pair Cooking Spoon Rest

Pinch Bowl adding 'feet' slab demo Video Demo

Your pottery is required to be artistic, thoughtful and intentional. No ‘winging’ it here! Two ways you can create an artistic piece….

Appliqué- The application of a clay shape or form scored to the surface or main clay body.

Sculptural – the body as a whole is a shaped figure or form.

Do NOT copy other artists’ ideas! Appliqué

Hand building Technique Tutorial: Coiling

Make slab of clay with rolling pin Cut a slab base - 1/4" thick Step 1. Prepare Base and Coils Tips- Flatten piece of clay to about ½ " thickness before cutting to desired size. COILS - Ahead of time, prepare several clay coils of the same thickness. No smaller than pinky, no larger than thumb. ** Make sure your pre-made clay coils are covered with plastic to keep them soft - coils dry out very quickly!

Tips- Only scrape the coil surface with one finger into the slab. smooth using your finger before you apply second coil. You do not want to alter the thickness too much! Score and slip base and apply coil Scrape the coil into slab base on the inside. Merging coils outside and inside COILING

Tip – You can add up to three at a time before blending and smoothing. To widen (bowl) or bottleneck (vase) the pot, use longer coils and place off center of previous coil If taking a break cover your work and pre made coils so that the clay will remain moist and soft. Keep adding layers

Honey Pot Decorative Vase

Ingredient holders Sugar and Coffee Creamer Holder

Birdhouse Wall Art

Hand building Techniques: SLAB

Slab Building Tip: Use a ruler to help you cut a straight line. Clean the ruler! 1.Create a template from paper 2.Create your slab 3.Take slab to your seat 4.Cut to size

1.Score the areas that will be joined together. 2.Apply slip – with your fingers!

Join your pieces together – you may have to hold it for a few minutes or prop it up with something.

Smooth as you go – BUT DO NOT MAKE THE WALLS THINNER!

Try a template

Wall hanging logistics: Will it be hung? how?

Note card/recipe and pencil holder Water vase for water plants/bamboo

Procedure 4 Thumbnail Sketches At least 2 different ideas Front and back view Check with me to discuss/critique When complete you must draw a DRAFT of the final project – in color. The glaze choices are natural textures OR ROYGBV (you can mix colors)