Online pottery classes

Hand building pottery for the beginner

This handbuilding pottery for the beginner is a 6-week formal online pottery class for people who want to start doing, or that just started doing pottery.
In this class we cover all the basics about starting with pottery clay, what is needed to start:  what is pottery clay, how does clay behave, and all this is available on videos while you have access to your instructor to as questions and discuss the class online. 
Since it is a beginners class, I will treat you as such to make sure all the information that I present, answers questions for everyone.  ​
​Duration of class
6 weeks formal video classes, 4 weeks reviewing
10 weeks total viewing

Contents of the class

Introduction to pottery and clay
  • Introduction and roadmap to the class - what to expect.
  • Basic layout of a pottery studio - Antoinette walk through her own studio to explain the basics of what is needed in a pottery studio.
  • Tools and materials that we will use during the class - store bought and self-made tools from found objects.
  • Origin of clay - understand where any pottery clay comes from.
  • Choosing a clay body - your clay and glaze and kiln must match firing temperatures.
  • Wedging clay- what happens with the clay during the wedging process.

Pinching clay projects
  • Learn how to pinch pottery clay - pinching clay is the backbone of any clay process.
  • How to reclaim clay - how to take water out and make the clay reusable.
  • How to pinch a functional cup with a foot rim project.
  • Pinch, decorate and finish-off clay animals - the beginning of clay sculpting

Coiling clay projects
  • Discussion on porcelain, stoneware and earthenware - the basic differences.
  • How to determine clay shrinkage - making a clay ruler and learn how to work with it.
  • How to make a coil pot- building with coils.
  • How to make a patterned coil pot - a coil pot for a potplant.

Slab building
  • Understand clay particles - what makes clay workable and how do I use this knowledge to my advantage.
  • Making soft slabs and fun clay projects - dolls and bags.
  • How to make a bird feeder with slabs - soft slabs used to make a cylinder.
  • How to build a bird house with slabs - build with leather hard slabs (templates provided)

Decorating on wet clay
  • Understanding and making slip to decorate and create a relief pattern.
  • Decorate with stamps and fabric - how to make your own stamps.
  • Decorate with texture - layering patterns.
  • Decorate with your own-colored slip made from a slip recipe provided.

​Glazing and firing
  • Decorate bisque clay with engobe and oxides - engobe recipe provided
  • How to prepare bisque clay for glazing - cleaning and last finishing touches.
  • Faults and remedies in pottery- the most common faults that beginners make is addressed.
  • How to glaze pottery - understand what a glaze is and learn how to apply glazes in different ways.
  • Operating an electric kiln - firing your kiln correctly.

What will you need.

If you are someone that is just testing to see if you would like to work with pottery clay, that may be the only thing you need. Most people want to make their work permanent. For that you would need access to a pottery kiln. Many potters are willing to rent out space in their kilns, but there are other ways to come around as well, and I will write more about it in future. 
Do not buy tools; not yet. For the moment you should be able to get along with what you have in your kitchen cabinets. 
Find yourself a designated place where you can work undisturbed. I will tell you more soon. 
​In the meantime, remember to get your name on my mailing list. ​