2 DAY SUMMER THROWING COURSE-Skills Building, Throwing, Beginners

2 Days of immersive throwing, trimming and and short introduction into slip decoration/glazing

SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS AND IMPROVERS

Enjoy 2 full mindful and focused days of throwing on the wheel, taking place in our ground floor accessible new venue, in the heart of the thriving and picturesque of Slaithwaite in the Colne Valley, this weekend will take you on a journey into clay. The course is suitable for beginners, early stage and improvers of throwing.

Each group is unique, depending on the needs of the group and the stages you are all at, we will explore the process of throwing to the level you can achieve over the two days. Our aim is to cover the basics: suitable for beginners just starting out or those with some experience who want to really dig deep and perfect the basics. This weekend of throwing is designed to really immerse yourself in clay. We will have some fun, but also look at techniques in detail. its going to be full on and there will be plenty of tea and biscuits to keep you going when concentration needs a break. Perfect to spend a weekend to focus on your own creativity away from the busy-ness of life!
Maximum number on the course is 9

Whether you want to learn, or dig deeper into your developing practice this two days will allow you to immerse yourself in throwing on the wheel with lead tutor Ammie Sykes. We will earn new skills, improve developing skills and trouble shoot wherever it is going a little awry for you. 

Ammie will do plenty of demonstrations but will also observe, analyse your techniques and really help you understand how the clay moves and how you can improve.  Student have really seen big improvements in past immersive workshops.

The Venue:

The Clay Mill is in the renovated old loading bay of an old textiles mill. It is ground floor, with an accessible toilet, kitchenette and view of the river. There are lovely canal and hill walks nearby, lots of cafes and bars and interesting shops. It's a great place to come and visit and stay over.

Food and refreshments:
Hot and cold drinks and snacks to keep us going available all day. Lunch is NOT provided in the cost and you are free to take a walk around the village and visit one of its cafes, bring lunch OR we can order lunch for delivery together with each person paying their own share. We can decide that on the days

Please email theclaymillstudio@gmail.com with dietary requirements and allergies for snacks. We provide teas, fruit teas, coffee, biscuits (including Gluten Free) and fruit to keep us going

Tuition:
Ammie has been teaching ceramics since 1991, has exhibited and created public art work. Ceramics is not just a job but a passion and way of life and this is reflected in the way she teaches and encourages participants to succeed. Building confidence is equally as important as the practical skills. You will be taught in a welcoming and supportive space, encouraged to take a few risks and above all, enjoy clay.

Day 1:
10am-4.30pm
Preparing clay, centring, throwing bowls and cylinders
Perfecting those skills and really looking at hand-positions
As the day progresses, we will explore bellying out, forming rounder shapes, collaring in and playing with more funky forms and surface texture

Day 2:
10am-4.30pm
Depending in individual skill levels, we will trim bases, add handles. Even the most basic cylinder can become a mug, but if your skill levels allow, we will explore some more complex forms in the afternoon.
We will add some basic slips and make decisions on glazes
Your pots can either be glazed by us in a dipping glaze of your choice OR we can book a short session in one of our other members classes for you to return and glaze them yourselves
We will be covering the basics, preparing clay, centring the clay, learning to throw cylinders and bowls so if you have experience but really want to go back into the basics and improve the quality and dig deep then this might be for you.

Energy levels:
Three days on the wheel can be tiring. We will do our best to balance the tasks to allow plenty of breaks and stretches between.
If anyone is struggling, we can introduce some gentle hand-building techniques and MORE snacks!

Everyone will get their best 6 pots fired and glazed in colours of your choice adding some coloured slips on the day for collection in approximately 4-5 weeks. If you want to keep more than 6 there will be charges based on £7 per pot to cover the extra time, electric and materials. (if you cannot collect we estimate postage £15)