CERAMICS WORKSHOPS
A few people I have met at craft fairs have enquired about taking courses with me to learn ceramic techniques.
I still have to work out costs and some fine details but the below information should answer some questions.
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My skills
As you will from the pages of this website I have many skills and mainly work with the materials of glass and ceramics.
I am also skilled in photography having won awards in plant and animal categories in international competitions, hence why much of my work is based on plants and animals.
I undertook a course in ceramics many years ago giving me the basic skills.
Developing a style is somewhat less obvious and I tend to create many different items, catering for different people, and this helps to keep things interesting.
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I also have a 1st Class Honours BA degree in Glass and Ceramics.
Whilst studying at university as a mature student, I was voted the student representative for my year group and so I am used to bridging age gaps, being approachable, and sharing my knowledge and passion for craft.
Since setting up my studio I have gained additional skills largely through learning by doing.
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Glass - I practice glass fusing, drawing with enamels, screen-printing, some stained glass window making using both lead and copper foil, glass casting (advanced and very expensive) and I use a combination of sheet, gritted and powdered glass.
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Ceramics - I practice hand-building, wheel throwing (not currently due to injuries), mould making, slip casting, printing, decorating with slips, oxides and glazes. I can also advise on basic studio set up for those undertaking a course.
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Glass courses
People have also enquired about possible glass courses.
Some of the things I make are jewellery, landscapes (wall and table-top mounted), etc.
It's harder for me to work out glass course costs as the materials are generally much more expensive that ceramics.
People may still enquire, although I would rather focus on ceramics for now.
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Duration and time of year
I am considering teaching courses during the summer, most likely at the weekend.
Whilst I am still calculating the costs of materials and my time, I would most likely have to charge 1 fee for a course that consists of 1 day per week over a minimum of 4 weeks, with each day consisting of 2-3 hours.
This will allow time in-between making for pieces to dry naturally before they can be fired and depending upon course sizes this time may differ.
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Skills taught
This is likely to include hand-building techniques, including:
1. Pinch pots
2. Slabbing
3. Coiling
4. Glazing
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I may also offer further courses including: animal sculpture modelling, mould-making and slip casting, and possibly combining glazes.
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What can be made?
I am likely to teach this class how I was taught and also design courses based upon items I regularly make.
This may include making a mug, decorative tile, letter rack, tealight holder, and a vessel (vase).
Sizes may vary as it depends on what I can fit in my kiln.
- I still have to work out a lot of the details out to see what is possible in a days course, including the hours required for a beginner to make the items.
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Costs / Class size
In order for these courses to be affordable (from my side) they will most likely be between 2 and 6 people.
Costs will include clay, slips, possibly oxides, some glazes, teaching time, and electricity (mainly firing costs).
The courses may be held inside my small studio or outside in appropriate weather.
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Refreshments
It's not possible for me to provide lunch so I would recommend bringing a pack-up lunch.
There are local pubs and cafes just down the road (Lincoln Road) in Welton. This includes Stokes Cafe & Coffee Shop, Sandwich Sense and a nearby co-op store.
Cups of tea will be available on site and there are basic toilet facilities.
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Wheel throwing skills
Although I have a wheel I will not yet be teaching throwing pots in this method - mainly because I have shoulder injuries and a certain amount of strength is required.
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Ability
A certain amount of dexterity will be required to undertake ceramic hand-building methods including using a rolling pin and basic hand tools, kneading clay, and rolling it using palms of the hand. I can assist with any kneading to enable people to move onto the next step.
I also have equipment on hand to make certain tasks easier and I try to focus on enabling people.
As I am a person with several musculoskeletal injuries I believe that anyone can do ceramics. People they should focus on what they can do, rather than trying to compare themselves to someone else as everyone is different and others may have more dexterity. It is not necessary to have done any form of hand-building, drawing or art skills before. Since some skills are similar to baking, I think many people will find some skills easier than they think.
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Age range
A certain amount of maturity is required in order to participate in ceramics. Tools like blunt knifes will be used.
It has taken a lot of financial cost for me to set up my studio and obtain equipment, as such I expect maturity and respect for both myself, my equipment and studio, and other course attendees.
I therefore prefer people to be over the age of 16 but adults can attend the course with children and should supervise them.
There are some health and safety rules I will discuss to ensure people work safely to try and avoid injury. Injury is unlikely.
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Location
My studio is located in Welton by Lincoln, Lincolnshire.
Full details will be sent upon the successful booking of a course.
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Parking
There is a space outside my studio on the grass verge (if not taken), as well as parking down Lincoln Road on the side of the road, or some parking spaces outside The Black Bull pub a 5 minute walk from my studio. Alternatively there may be parking down Beckhall the turning on the right before Sudbeck Lane (approaching Welton from William Far School direction.)
Sudbeck Lane is a dead end so please refrain from blocking driveways or turning around in other people's driveways.
There is a fork in the road by the white pump outside the studio so it's possible to reverse to turn around.
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If you are interested in taking a workshop please send me an email at artisdan84@gmail.com
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