Monday, March 1, 2010

I fought the clay, and the clay won

I did something Saturday that I've never done before. I made pottery in a real studio! I know!!!

The lovely, Rachel invited a few local bloggers to Earthborn Pottery in Leeds for a few hours. This place is awesome! It's a huge warehouse where artist's can rent studio space and where regular people like me can go and feed their creative beast. Check out these beautiful pieces. These are the kind of things they sell.

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It was so great! Tena Payne owns the studio and she was so sweet to teach us how to use the wheel and hand-form. Yes, you read that right. I used a pottery wheel. Not only did I use it, but I took a piece of clay and created a masterpiece. OK, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but it was a masterpiece to me. IT IS SO MUCH HARDER THAN IT LOOKS!

Tena gave us a demonstration on the wheel and made it look like a breeze.
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And then.... I tried it. For some reason, mine didn't work exactly like Tena's. I don't think the clay was supposed to jump right off the wheel.
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This was me after Tena told me my piece of clay was beyond repair and went to get me another one.
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Never fear, I eventually wound up with my masterpiece and I was MUCH better at hand-forming. This is Mama Hen and me getting started.
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I can't even begin to tell you how much fun I had at my very first blogger's event. I met some great girls and did something I've always wanted to do. We won't be able to pick up the pieces we made for 4 to 5 weeks because they have to be fired and glazed. I can't wait to see how they turn out. Oh, and don't worry, you all will see them too. And when you see them, you'll get to see the great piece Tena gave me for a GIVEAWAY!!! You'll love it, and you'll want to win it!

And, just in case you're wondering, it was NOTHING like Ghost.

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7 comments:

LeAnna said...

Oh!! That looks like too much fun!!! Can't wait to see what you made. You look so cute, too. Love your hair!

Rachel said...

Great post! I love that pic of your clay rolling around the wheel - it's in my post too!! (Coming tomorrow).

Thanks so much for coming - it was such a treat to get to meet you in person!!

Lemonade Makin' Mama said...

LOl blast from the past with the Ghost reference!! I remember pottery class in HS, and it was NOTHING like that movie for me either!

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

It was so much fun! I was so thrilled to have met you, Jill! I am a follower now.

Joy McD said...

That is so cool! Wish I was there too! My dad was really into pottery at one stage - he made a pottery wheel and we all had fun with it. I used to love it, although my creations were nothing like my dad's - he really had talent! I think I will stick to fabric :)

carissa said...

i can't wait to see the beautiful finished product! you are adorable, and i have so enjoyed visiting your blog (i found it through stephanie). it's fab! i'm your newest follower. : )

Jill said...

That sounds so fun! I've always wanted to try the potters wheel too! Glad y'all had a nice blogger meet-up!