The Universal Craft of Pottery at The Potter's Yard, Rathangan, Duncormick, Co. Wexford

An intensive 12 week course aimed at those who love pottery, know a little and wish to develop their ability, also for the beginner who has always wanted to 'make a pot' We will start the course on Tuesday 26th September. 7.30-9.30pm The first 4 weeks will concentrate on hand-building, impressed and slip decoration. We will look at the range of tools used by the potter, with information on sourcing clay, its nature and decoration. You will design and make a mug, tile and dish. 2nd 4 weeks will look at and work on the potter's wheel. Learning to 'throw' 'turn' make lids and handles. Final 4 weeks Glaze theory, recipes, decoration and Kilns. (see wood firing kiln on web site) The cost is 360.00 All Materials are supplied. The pieces you make will be glazed and fired in the studio kiln and are yours to take home at the end of the course. The course fee is payable on the first evening. An instalment plan is on offer. Bring a friend and earn a discount! Booking is open now and is essential as space in the studio is limited to 6 persons. Phone Patricia on 086 1914648/051 563377

Jumbo Range

The Jumbo range has emerged organically. I began playing around with the idea of printing on clay near to the beginning of 2012, working with a small group of pottery students we began cutting sponge, thick slabs of upholstery sponge proved to be very useful. I bought finely pointed sharp little craft knives, and had fun cutting into the sponge. At first I cut naturalistic shapes, leaves, butterflies, and flower petals. Using coloured slips I dipped my sponges and pressed the shapes against the clay, squishing, and blotching were my first problems. I learnt how much slip to leave on  the sponge before pressing it to the surface of the clay and began to become adept at the technique.

 Cut to the ellies. I threw about 2 dozen tall mugs, an elegant shape and needed a really lovely motif for the mug. I planned to use a sponge print, and became inspired by the image of an elephant from a collage which I had made yonks ago. So I cut the sponge into the ellie form, pressed it into some black slip and printed it out on a large sheet of paper, my first trial. The shape of the ellie was just right, so the next step was a print onto one of the mugs. I was able to fit two eles, one holding the others tail, as they perambulated around the mug. The ellies looked so cheerful, so I threw plates and bowls in quick succession all to be decorated by these amazing creatures. I hope you share my enthusiasm for this new ware from The Potter's Yard, we have already added a biscuit jar with an elephant modelled on top of the lid and a tea pot. The response at Showcase was very encouraging with some orders being placed, you can order online!

Showcase success!

We had a great time at Showcase Craft Expo last week! So many amazing craft workers to be seen, and it's a credit to the organisers who put in such hard work to make it happen. It was the first outing for our new Jumbo Range as well - doesn't it look great?!

Temples of Light

Top Picture: Temple of Light - made by Kim and Poppy. Night Courses at The Potter's Yard.

Lower Picture : Pit Firing at The Potter's Yard.  Spring 2010

The Potter's Yard - Summer Programme 2012

• POP UP WORKSHOPS for FAMILY GROUPS, BIRTHDAY TREATS, RELAXATION THERAPY
•  2 hours of fun filled clay work - creating fantastic creatures from the iimagination - have a 'go' on the potter's wheel.

• CHILDREN'S  CREATIVE  GROUPS.- JULY & AUGUST - 
• DRAGONOLOGY - make models of these fabulous beasts step by step with Patricia 

• PIT  FIRING - experience the excitement of firing your own work weather permitting.
• FUN ON THE POTTER'S WHEEL - learn to make a bowl & a mug    

       PARENTS: for details of dates, cost, time for either POP UP or CREATIVE GROUPS
       CONTACT PATRICIA 086 1914648 or 051 563377 e.pathowcow@gmail.com

       DIRECTIONS to THE  POTTER'S  YARD found on the CONTACTS page.

Squishy,squishy clay

The Potter's Yard Easter Classes for Children - Enjoy the squishy, squishy clay - Learn to form a tubby pig, a fat seal or a cool penguin -  Make a pot on one of Patricia's wheels - Have your best piece kiln fired. Use your imagination and surprise yourself, guidance from accomplished potter Patricia in her atmospheric studio - 300 metres from The Cross of Rathangan, coming from Baldwinstown turn left, from Duncormick turn right.

Cost:    E18 per class or E50 for 3.
Dates.   10th-12th April 2012 (incl)
Time.    10-11.30am  age 6-10 years
             12-1.30pm   age 11-14 years.
To Book Call Patricia on 086 1914648/051 563377/e.pathowcow@gmail.com

POTTERY WORKSHOPS

POTTERY WORKSHOPS JULY & AUGUST

TACTILE ADVENTURES USING OUR OWN LOCAL CLAY IN HANDBUILDING & WHEELWORK