Sharon Art Studio

* * 3-day Ceramics Workshop * *
THE FUNCTIONAL POT: Tips, Tools & Techniques 2007
instructors: Bill Van Gilder

Every During this information-loaded workshop some 50+ making techniques will be demonstrated in answer to these 'how-to' questions; techniques participants will want to use and adjust to fit their own future work. Short cuts, tips and tool-use at the wheel will be shared through demo after demo.

Hand building functional forms will be the focus during part of the morning demo's, defining projects for hand builders.

Throughout 40 yrs. of making functional pots, I've collected hundreds of making techniques used to make specific pots, both wheel-thrown and hand-built;

Demo'd techniques at the wheel will include;
- Efficient hand positions for throwing
- Simple tools and their use
- Lid arrangements and form
- Spout, rim and lip making and proportions
- Trimming and foot finishing possibilities
- Faceting and fluting as decoration
- Handles and lugs; pulled and hand built
- Making bottle form; collaring techniques
- Making dinnerware; throwing and trimming
- Making squared and oval baking ware
- Wet, thick slip decoration
- and more.

Forms to be demo'd;
- open & lidded casseroles
- pitcher & pouring pots
- cups & mugs
- bowl forms
- dinnerware
- bottle forms
Hand building demo's will include;
- Slumped oval slab platter making
- Humped squared plate making
- Foot attachment possibilities; slab, sprigged & coiled
- Textured decoration; wet slip, pressed, and resisted textures