Skill Level: One (Beginner)

Requirements: None, no experience required

Coil building is one of the oldest forms of ceramic construction and has been practiced by various artisans all over the globe since long before written history. In this two-day Weekend Intensive, we will cover all the basic skills and techniques to utilize this easy and quick way to make functional and decorative objects. During this class you will create a footed bowl, an open topped vessel form (a planter or similar object,) a narrow-necked vessel (a bottle form,) and a small moon jar. We will cover different styles of coil building, proper attachment techniques, how to manage drying (and rehydrating,) as well as finishing and refining techniques to achieve both textured and smooth surfaces. 

Day One Morning:

• using bisque molds and formers

• coil making techniques

• building with coils

• basic shaping 

• main project--footed bowl

Day One Afternoon:

• creating forms without molds

• attachments

• smoothing and shaping

• adding texture to surfaces

• main project: open topped vessel

Day Two Morning:

• tapering forms - building inward

• darting and altering forms

• main project--narrow-necked vessel

Day Two Afternoon:

• combining two forms

• finishing and refining pieces

• main project--moon jar

Included with class:

• 20 lbs cone 6 clay

• bisque and firing of work produced in the intensive (You are responsible for glaze firing.)

You will need to bring:

Clay tools: a serrated rib, a rounded (bowl) rib, wooden pottery knife, and a paddle (wooden or bamboo spatula works well.). You will receive an email the week before your class begins with links for purchasing options from various shops.

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