Teaching Resources

I spent some time in the last few weeks exercising and refining my skills on the wheel. Since Christmas my day job as a floral designer and container gardener has fizzled out for the season. 

This down time gives me the opportunity to take on more teaching roles in the studio. I am so happy to have the space and made the connections to be afforded these opportunities.

Centered Clay Studio is really my "home studio". This is where I teach, design and execute all of my projects in ceramics. I find joy in working on hand building projects from home, however the space can feel confined and it is so nice to see my friends and fellow potters in the community at Centered Clay.

In May 2024 I was offered a spot as an eight week instructor. Those eight weeks fly by! I have taught the same group of students (along with new ones) over an extended period of time and it is so exciting and encouraging to see their progress. Success does not come without failure in ceramics, as with many other things in life. It gives me confidence in myself when I watch my students learn from their mistakes and work through studio problems.

I always wanted to teach art, and I never imagined I would be teaching it this way. I love making sculptures, but clay was not always my media of choice. In addition to these eight week courses I have also taught countless one day workshops often with folks who never touched clay in their lives. Seeing strangers walk into the studio, pushing themselves out of their comfort zone. Trying something new, failing and failing again. Then at the end of the workshop they make a thing or two! Some get very frustrated, realizing how difficult this craft can be, and soon they gain control of the material! Others find the experience so rewarding, even relaxing. 

When the class ends occasionally my students become very complimentary of my instruction. It really makes my heart warm to hear this. Hearing these words of gratitude makes me feel like I am doing what God wants me to do. To me it feels like a little nudge from my Dad telling me "Great job! You got this!"

At first I had doubts my skills weren't quite up to par to be teaching wheel throwing. While I may seem to be at an intermediate level to myself, to a beginner my techniques could seem advanced. So I did my best to educate myself and take some time to explore instructional videos. I quickly understood why people walking into workshops imagine that wheel throwing is so easy. Tik Tok and Instagram reels make it look so easy! All that work in 30 seconds! Finding instructional media online that is not time lapsed was a bit of a challenge. Soon I found my favorite artists and shared those with my eight week students. 

I will leave links to some of my favorites here:
Throwing closed form lidded jars
https://youtu.be/wOgf2nGHNC8?si=0ujb254eW3MNbbEI 

3 methods to throw a jar and lid separately
https://youtu.be/-fH6BNWJ9gY?si=u5M6IPb8eSPM8MQQ

Collaring
https://youtu.be/umtwyBcYhiE?si=hj0XCc1UGKkpRpUu

Centering for beginners
https://youtu.be/RXuUL_JzFs4?si=BcR2_sJWjqYrzP9i

I loved this series called Ceramic Review!
https://youtu.be/oSMZ_579hag?si=YC-AawQFXesSR3Ff - Handbuilding, coiled patterned pots

https://youtu.be/Syt1yIHEwIE?si=X3W-sriSkwv8cZ_B - faceted bowls

https://youtu.be/rghMLySaZlA?si=ZjOX_kg0rJPs_Jwi - elegant dinnerware

https://youtu.be/YLFcSlN_h8E?si=jSpnWo3sCKC_Hq1M - decorating with slip

https://youtu.be/jYPhySY6jsE?si=5I96AZazFVFWXYp9 - Relief sgraffito

https://youtu.be/Ks5_1ha06iQ?si=gtUIN7N8q0qbALbs - advanced combining 2 thrown forms