Classes & Workshops


 
Schedule

Calendar

          "Classes & Workshops"
are available each month for club members.
  
Click on the Schedule or Calendar button for classes now available.
Call the Club for more details.
(623) 214-9067
 

 

Peter Flynn will be teaching a six week session in Advanced Wheel Techniques at our studio on Saturdays beginning March 20.
 
This class is offered in the morning (9 AM - noon) and also in the afternoon (12:30 - 3:30).  The cost is $110.
 
The prerequisite is proficiency in Intermediate Wheel.  One must be able to easily throw a 6" cylinder. 
 
Anyone needing to fulfill this prerequisite should sign up for the Intermediate wheel class taught by Gary Roth which begins on March 1st.
 
If you have any questions please contact either Barbara (bes49@cox.net) or Penny (pbetcher@cox.net)

        From The Glaze Room 

 

January 29, 2010

Blisters

Glaze blisters look like little craters (appr 1/8 inch diameter.) Possible causes of blistering are: too thick a layer of glaze, insufficient drying of the glazed piece prior to firing, or too dense a clay body which traps air in the piece.

Settling-Out

This is the most common problem for glazes prior to firing, which may also result in firing problems. When a glaze settles out some of the heavier components of the glaze settle to the bottom of the container. If you try to use this glaze without thoroughly remixing you will be applying a glaze with key ingredients missing. A glaze stays in suspension due to the presence of various types of clays, such as bentonite, and/or gums, such as CMC. One common cause of settling out is the addition of too much water to the glaze, which dilutes the effect of the suspending agents and allows some of the glaze ingredients to settle out. Another possibility is the growth of bacteria which will consume an organic gum, such as CMC, and will lead to loss of suspension. To prevent bacteria growth do no return used glaze, which has been poured out of the original container, back into the original container. Also do no introduce possibly contaminated objects, such as brushes, into the original container. Storing glaze in a hot or sunny environment may also encourage bacteria growth. Freezing can also destroy the action of CMC, so brushing type glazes in particular should not be shipped by unheated freight in winter when the possibility of freezing exists. If a glaze has settled out, but has not gone rock hard in the bottom of the container, it can be re-suspended by the careful addition of Epsom salts. Epsom salts can be readily purchased in most drug stores. First you need to create a saturated solution of epsom salts by dissolving them in a cup of warm water until no more will dissolve. Then add this solution slowly and carefully to the glaze while continuously stirring the glaze. It should require less than approximately one teaspoon of epsom salt solution per gallon of glaze. The quantity will depend on the severity of the problem.

 

GRAND CERAMICS EDUCATION

Grand Ceramics is both a pottery and ceramic club.  With a variety of classes offered for both types of members.  We offer beginning to advanced level classes, with a number of experienced and well-qualified instructors.  Giving members of Sun City Grand an opportunity to explore their creative talents and pursue new hobbies.

The classes we offer on a regular basis are as follows:

Beginning Hand building Class…This class will teach you the fundamental elements of the oldest form of clay work.  You will learn the basics of working with clay and gain an understanding of how and why clay works. You will construct and compress forms by using slabs, coils and molds, forming platters, cylinders, and boxes.

Beginning Wheel Class…This is an introductory level class to get you started throwing on the potter’s wheel. 

Intermediate and Advanced Wheel Class…These classes will introduce you to the next level of the potters wheel; you will learn to make bowls, cylinders, pitchers, pots, handles and lids. Advanced classes will help you create large vessels, goblets, plates, casserole dishes, matching sets of cups, and teapots.

Coiling Class…This class will teach you how to create a beautiful vase, or pot of any size and shape by using small perfectly extruded coils of clay.  You will also learn to use the clubs clay extruder to make the coils.

Precious Metal Clay Class…This class will teach you the art of handmade jewelry using clay as the base with the result being a beautiful piece of silver jewelry that you can wear and treasure forever.

Glaze Classes…The club offers members classes in glazing clay.  Instructors demonstrate how to glaze their pieces using the many glazes we have in our club facilities.

Miscellaneous Classes…During the year we have a variety of miscellaneous classes offered that are more on the order of workshops.  Examples of this would be; Whimsical Boxes, The Adobe House, Hopi Mud Head Dolls, Angel and Monk Dolls, Woven Baskets, Slips and Sprigging, and Mold Making.  These classes are not offered each month, but are offered on a regular basis, generated by member interest.  Many examples of these classes are found down in the Ceramic Club. 

Ceramic Classes…These classes are offered each month from an experienced ceramic teacher.  New projects with the latest techniques and ideas are offered to students as well as all the old favorites.

Ceramic Workshop…This is offered each week as a time to bring in your projects and work on them individually.  Anyone needing any special help can get questions answered at that time. 

It is the goal of the Education Committee to provide all our members with the opportunity to grow and develop their talents whenever possible.  We are always interested in offering new classes, so if you have talents you would like to share we would be happy to meet and talk with you, new instructors and volunteers are always welcome.

If interested please contact the Club:

Look for monthly classes on the club calendar, and the sign up book down at the club, ask the monitor for assistance.

*Please note, classes are not always taught during regular club hours.

*Classes are offered to Ceramic Club members only.