Service Description

Focus: Etiquette, Safety, Equipment Operation, Throwing & Handbuilding Skills, Glazing Skills Studio Etiquette - Proper cleaning techniques to decrease dust exposure and to maximize the longevity of tools, organization and upkeep of communal areas, proper clay reclamation, proper work placement throughout the process. Studio Safety - Proper safety precautions when sanding and glazing; location of first aid kit. Equipment Operation - Slab Roller, Extruder, heat guns and bat systems, Kilns and Pug Mill are off limits Throwing & Handbuilding Skills - To hone in on thickness; understanding clay stages (i.e. leather hard greenware, bone dry greenware, bisque), understanding firing temperatures (Cone 06 and Cone 6) Glazing Skills - To hone in on adequate application, difference between underglaze and glaze, understanding glaze firing temps, when to use cookies and which ones to use, how to handle glaze run off. Must pass in all areas to qualify for membership. No work will be kept. Week 1: Introductions and brief talk about the studio and its community use Throwing with 2-5 pounds of clay Importance of clay thickness and how it affects the firing Using heat guns for same-day trimming Proper wheel clean-up Proper clay reclamation Returning tools and equipment back to their designated areas Mopping and why we don’t sweep Where to dry work for bisque firing 2 pieces – pre-trimmed, to be bisque fired for use in week 3 Week 2: Basic hand building techniques (Making a hand-built mug) Using the slab roller Using the wall extruder with proper clean-up Labeling works in progress when stored in communal spaces Work area clean-up Proper clay reclamation Cleaning and returning tools to their designated areas 1 piece – slow drying to bone dry for use with underglazes in week 3 Work to be uncovered by instructor by day 3 Week 3: Bisqueware retrieval Using proper PPE Sanding greenware and bisque Using dipping and brush-on glazes (1 piece each) Using underglazes on greenware (hand-built mug) Proper disposal of underglazed greenware Layering glazes on 1 piece (purposely using running glazes) Wiping bottoms Using cookies (standard and raised) and clay wadding Understanding firing temperatures Proper placement of items to be glaze fired Both glazed bisqueware will be fired. Greenware will be disposed of. Week 4: Glazed work retrieval Analyze glazed work for signs of improper or proper application Methods for preventing future glaze run off and avoiding shelf cleaning