Intro to wheel throwing
Experience ID: 159
On arrival you will receive a bag filled with clay that you will cut and be taught to form into balls. These balls will then be placed in the middle of the potter’s wheel. You will need to find a good speed and discover how to keep it consistent spin so that the wheel won’t throw our piece off. It will take some practice to learn how to get the clay to stick, keeping the clay wet and how to center it, but once that is down then you can start applying the basic techniques with varied pressure to pull and shape the clay into the different forms.
The goal for this class is to experiment. If you are dirty and had fun by the end of the class, then you can pat yourself in the back because you were not afraid to get your hands messy! Not everyone has a working well finished clay pot, but it will get easier with time and practice.
- Clay and equipment included. But, depending on your chosen project, you may purchase additional clay.
- You will receive an apron to protect your clothes, but wear clothes that you don't mind getting dirty. Clay washes off.
- Duration: 2 1/2 hours.
If I produce a piece that I'm proud of, can you fire it?
Yes, we have the ovens and we can work it into our firing scheduled. We will gladly make your piece permanent, but it make take up to two weeks. A $1 fee will apply per pound.
What is a Clay Body?
It is the individual ingredients that make up the composition of the clay. Each project requires a different clay body made of different ratios of the ingredients which will directly affect both color and its firing temperature. For the first class, you will received a package of the clay with a mixture made by the expert and it will have a perfect mix of plasticity, strength, water absorbtion and it will age well. With time you will be able to mix your own.
