Workshop title: The Functional Pot; Tips, Tools & Techniques
A demonstration workshop with Bill van Gilder
Workshop is Sold Out
Every potter has a list of WHAT they want to make. HOW to make it, is often the question.
During this two-day, information-loaded, demo-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 demonstrations as requested, defining projects and techniques for hand-builders.
“Throughout 50+ yrs. of making functional pots, I’ve collected hundreds of making techniques used to make specific pots, both wheel-thrown and hand-built;”
Demonstrated 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 forms; collaring techniques
- Making dinnerware; throwing and trimming
- Making squared and oval baking ware
- Wet, thick slip decoration
- And much more…
A sampling of forms to be demonstrated;
- Open and lidded casseroles
- Pitcher and pouring pots
- Cups and mugs
- Bowl forms
- Dinnerware
- Bottle forms
Hand-building demonstrations may include;
- Slumped oval slab platter making
- Humped squared plate making
- Foot attachment possibilities; slab, sprigged & coiled
- Textured decoration; wet slip, pressed, and resisted textures
Participants are welcome to take photos, and videos for their own use and are encouraged to bring a notebook.
A discussion about glazes will take place during the workshop, as requested. My
^6 oxidation, ^8-9-10 gas, and salt/soda wood-firing slips & glaze recipe sheets will be provided to each participant.
Workshops may include a 1 to 2 hr. slide/lecture during the evening hours prior to the start of a weekend workshop. Or, a slide/lecture may be incorporated into a daytime program schedule, as requested.
A selection of my potter’s hand-tools (van Gilder ClayTools) and a sampling of my current work are made available for participant purchase.
Participants have the option to purchase lunch, delivered , from Pump and Rye for one or both days..