Plates, Plates, Plates!

Worskshop Description

Are your cabinets overflowing with handmade dinnerware that only stacks if strategically placed in the order that only you know how to do?? Or do they fall out when you open the cabinet door?? Don’t stack right in the dishwasher?? Is it your dream to have a true SET of matching plates or bowls…or both?? That actually stack??!! Then this 2-part workshop is for you! In week 1 we will discuss designs and throw our plates, and in week 2 we will trim and discuss drying, firing, and glazing. You will learn how to: • Throw plates that are uniform in size and shape/contour (goal is 4 plates per person) • Throw plates with durable rims! Smooth surfaces! And flat bottoms! No one likes to eat off a plate that you can’t run silverware over comfortably. • Select how much clay to use for the size plates you want to make and to reduce trimming • Choose your design based on functionality. A lot of questions need to be asked and answered! We will focus on traditional shaped plates with rim and trimmed foot, but we will discuss other designs as well. • Use the shrink ruler to make plates the size that you want them to *actually* be after firing • Trim appropriately to ensure stackability • The in’s and out’s of drying, firing, glazing, and finishing your sets While the focus of this class will be on plates, the same skills can be applied to bowls, platters, and other forms. IMPORTANT things to know BEFORE you register: • This class is intended for potters who can already center their own clay. You can use any weight of clay to learn the skills taught in this class. • Participants MUST PURCHASE CLAY for this class from Enkindle. (I recommend a new bag of any armadillo clay offered at Enkindle). • Studio members, try to have room on your shelf for at least some of your plates. We will need a lot of bats, boards, and space for us all to make 4 matching plates! Plates will dry for a few weeks, so we will need to get creative with stacking, board availability, and ensuring we have enough bats for everyone! What to bring to class: o New 25 pound bag of Armadillo Clay (purchased at the studio) o Hand Towel o Apron, if desired o 11” or larger bats, if you have any available o 2” wooden posts or kiln posts to help stack plates for drying.