March Break Pottery and Mosaic Sessions

Monday March 3
Witnessing a Raku Firing
Each child will glaze 2 pieces of pottery of their choice I’ve made before hand. We’ll talk about pottery firing, kilns, what glazes are and then paint them on their pieces. They’ll witness their transformation in a small outdoor raku kiln. (all under close supervision).  They can take the two pieces home with them that have changed magically through heat and smoke to become beautiful works of art.

While waiting for the kiln to reach temperature, there will be clay-play opportunity in the studio. (In case of really poor weather, we’ll stay indoors and make mosaics)

Tuesday March 4
Pottery Wheel and Making a Spoon
I have 4 pottery wheels, so children will take turns hand building a spoon (or something else of their choice)  and having a go at the wheel.

I’ll demonstrate techniques in throwing clay, trimming, and I’ll help them along. At the end of the class they can choose two pieces they’ve made that I’ll later glaze and fire to be picked up in 3 weeks.

Wednesday March 5
Decorating a Mug 
Each child will be given a leather hard mug I’ve made beforehand. They can decorate it as they wish…. I’ll demonstrate how they can carve designs and textures into the clay, or add small embellishments like flowers, fish, leaves etc.
I’ll fire and glaze the mugs later, to be picked up in about 3 weeks. 

Thursday March 6
Creating a Mosaic Mirror Frame
Each child will receive a mirror pre-glued to a backing board. It will have a generous border area that they can decorate with sea shells, fishing rope, pebbles, and clay doodads I’ve made especially for this purpose. I have lots of supplies, but they’re welcome to bring their own treasures to incorporate if they wish (anything from buttons to coins to old jewelry, beads, marbles, medals etc.)  It’s an opportunity to learn design and color principals,  use of texture, etc.  They’ll take home their beautiful creations! (They can make a mosaic without the mirror if they wish) . 

Friday March 7
Pottery Wheel and Making Sea Creatures
I have 4 pottery wheels, so children will take turns on the wheel and rolling out clay and making sea creatures. (Or anything else they’d like) 

I’ll demonstrate techniques in throwing clay, trimming, and I’ll help along. At the end of the class they can choose two pieces they’ve made that I’ll glaze and fire to be picked up in 3 weeks.