Handbuilt Tableware (Session 3)
Beginner
Service Description
This class is held at our Potrero Hill Studio Class Time: Thursday @10:30AM-1:00PM April 3rd-May 8th Class Description: In this six-week course, students will explore various handbuilding techniques to craft a cohesive place setting, including plates, bowls, cups, and optional kitchen accessories. Beginning with project planning and test tiles, students will progress through slab building, pinch pots, coil construction, and subtractive carving to create functional and aesthetically unified tableware. Emphasis will be placed on surface design, texture, and glazing techniques to bring each piece to life Week 1: Test tiles, project planning, and class overview Overview: Students will share and assess existing handbuilding skills and discuss gathering inspiration based on aesthetics, use, and form. Spend time mapping out each student set: construction method, dimensions, purpose, building timeline, and stylistic elements. Discuss surface design and glaze options, and have students make test tiles using their clay body of choice (to be glazed week 5). Week 2: Slabs (rolling, templates, slump molds) // Plates, bowls, cups, platters Overview: Demonstrate use of slab roller, have each student utilize slabs and slump molds for simple forms like plates, bowls, platters. Discuss decorative elements at this stage, like imprinting texture and altering form. Week 3: Pinch pots and coil building // Vases, salt cellars, joined dip bowls Overview: Demonstrate use of extruder, hand rolling coils, and forming pinch pots for dimensional forms like salt cellars, dip bowls, and vases or pitchers. Discuss creative directions such as finishing style (visible vs smoothed coils/fingerprints), altering forms to match aesthetics. Week 4: Subtractive + Carving // carved spoons, ramekins, candlesticks, napkin rings Overview: Demonstrate use of kurinuki techniques and different carving tools (hole punch, trimming tools, rasp) for small forms like ramekins, carved serving spoons, napkin rings, and candle holders. Map out design elements to coordinate with existing elements of sets. Week 5: Decorative finishes and surface design Overview: Demonstrate use of underglazes, underglaze pencils, and glazes to finish set and tie in coordinating aesthetics. Discuss decoration as related to form, function, and presentation. Have students glaze test tiles from week 1, turn in all greenware for bisque firing by the end of class. Week 6: Glazing and finishing touches
Upcoming Sessions
Cancellation Policy
Fees & class schedule: Class fees cover instructed class time (as listed in specific class schedule), use of tools and equipment, open studio hours, studio glazes and firing up to 25 lbs of clay. Additional work may be fired for a fee. Pottery class fees include 25 lbs of clay + wood classes include all lumber Classes are subject to change if minimum student quota isn't met (7 students). Class switches will only be available 1 week prior to the commencement of classes and based on the capacity of classes at time of request. Attendance: It is mandatory for all students who are new to the studio attend the first week of classes. No “make-up” classes are given but you're more than welcome to drop-in on another session if there is an opening or absence. For Adult classes, Kids must be 14-years old or older Personal belongings: Any items left behind 30-days after last class may be discarded without notice. Refund policy: Class fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Refund or Credit (minus $20 processing fee) if a request for refund is received TWO WEEKS and only two weeks before the start of a class. Credit (no refund) with less the 48 hour notice ONLY if your spot can be filled. No refunds or credits after attending 1st class. Classes missed due to failure to attend, planned absences, minor illnesses or vacations will not be credited for future classes. One-Time class registrations such as Drop-In Clay or Friday Night Clay are considered final ONE WEEK before start of class. Open studio hours for students: Monday- Thursday: 10AM-6PM Friday & Saturday: 10AM-9PM Sunday 10AM-7:30PM (Hours subjected to change upon five days' notice)
Contact Details
1431 17th St, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA
(862) 343-0144
contact@clayroomsf.com