{Giveaway is Closed}
The Winner is: #88 Sandy!
Have you ever been to pottery class? Get your hands dirty, molding clay like the movie Ghost?
Over two years ago, I got the chance to go to a very fun blogger’s pottery class while I was still living in Birmingham and it was such a memorable event, that when the invitation came again this year, I said YES again to a night out at Earth Born Pottery Studio. I loved getting my hands dirty in the clay and sitting at the potter’s wheel for another whirl at making something handmade and interesting. My first pottery pieces are packed up in boxes right now, but one day soon they will all be unpacked and I’ll be enjoying them in my new home.
Without naming all these girls, because I don’t have all their blog names, I’ll just say it was a very fun time seeing some new and old friends again and we all got our hands in the mud and enjoyed the pottery class so much. Great bonding girl time! My friend, Rachel, from Grasping for Objectivity invited me to come over and I’m so glad I did. Her Aunt Tena owns the pottery and was teaching our class.
I love that Earthborn makes some incredible and gorgeous pottery for upscale restaurants, like the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, as well as renowned restaurants in Birmingham, like the Hot and Hot Fish Club. We were all so impressed with the wares coming out of Tena’s pottery studio. Handmade items like this are so beautiful and I have long been a fan of made from scratch pottery.
Tena and another potter, Nabeel, gave us some demos on how to work with the clay. I did pretty good the first time I did this 2 years ago, but this time it didn’t go all that well. I messed up some of the clay and had to start over a couple of times.
Tena explained how to work the clay into a ball and then bring it up to a bowl or vase.
Once it’s set solid in the middle with no wobbles (I had a big problem with the wobbles on mine), then the clay can be worked and sculpted. They make it look easy, but it’s SO not!
See how pretty her vase looks?
And Nabeel’s is beautiful and shapely too.
My blob of clay didn’t go nearly as well, but I finally coaxed a bowl out of this lump.
Next, I moved on to the table, where we did some freeform clay molding and I made a rough bowl.
I hope glaze and firing improves its looks, cause it’s not so pretty like this.
I made a fairly presentable bowl and I’m sure this will be pretty once the glaze is applied and it comes back from the kiln. I loved my other pieces when they were fired.
This lop sided bowl was my 2nd attempt on the wheel, but it’s definitely not going to win any awards.
And here’s the freeform bowl.
We took a tour of the back and saw all the great pottery back there waiting for glazing and firing. I’ve always been intrigued by pottery and how organic it is. Every piece is different, just like we all are.
Aren’t the finished pieces beautiful?? That blue bowl on top looks just like the one I took home last time I was there.
These beautiful pedestals were so gorgeous. I found out from Tena that she is now making pottery for Willow House and I do believe these were the bowls she said were Willow House bowls.
Isn’t that just the prettiest thing you’ve ever seen?
Just like our first trip, we all got to take home a beautiful finished plate and we got to choose one to give away to a reader.
I know, that means one of YOU!!
See the one on the LEFT? that one will go to one of my readers!! I know, exciting, huh?
All you have to do is leave a comment telling me if you’ve ever made any pottery or do you own any original pottery?
Do you love handmade pottery as much as I do?
Tena sells pottery to the public, so anyone can purchase from her. Wouldn’t it be so much fun to have a few place settings of this gorgeous pottery? She also has classes available, so if you’d like to find out more, just click on her website, Earthborn, for all the information. She offers group classes for several people at a time, so this would be the perfect thing to do with your church group or girlfriends. Go to Cahaba Clayworks for class info. Classes for 6 start as low as $35 per person for a 2 hour hands-on pottery throwing opportunity. It was a blast! We all had so much fun doing this. Thank you so much Tena and Nabeel, for letting us come in and play in the clay.
Tena tweets @EarthbornStudio, so you may want to follow her since she will be offering some monthly “limited edition” specials on pottery pieces for a thrifty price! We all love that.
I was not paid for this post, it is simply sharing my outing and the giveaway with all of you. I love pottery!
Today is my parents 59th wedding anniversary and I wanted to give them a shout-out! What a milestone that many of us will never achieve, I’m so proud of them.
I LOVE pottery. I attempted once as a junior high student with poor results. I own several pieces that are special because of the potter who made them. One friend was at work in his studio when he heard about 9/11. He created a memorial piece and I was fortunate enough to get one. I have 2 pitchers made by a potter in my hometown. I have a big jug on the hearth that has come down to us from my husband’s side of the family. It’s all beautiful, but made moreso because of the relationships.
Happy Anniversary to your parents!!
Yes, once, many moons ago, I made some Hawaiian tiki type mugs. But, it’s really not my bag so I much prefer purchasing the wonderful works of others locally or at craft shows. I just love the rusticity of the pieces and the fact that no two colors are really the same.
I just bought my first piece of pottery–a navy blue pitcher, and I love it! I would love to try a class and would really love to win a piece! Great giveaway!
I have never taken a pottery class, but own a couple of pieces. My daughter took a class in college and I am the proud owner of a piece that she calls Pig/Dog. Yes, think of the possibility with a spike collar to boot! But, I did get a great piece when we visited Cuba. The potter is well known in Cuba, and is on of Castro’s favorite shops. That alone is worth a good story and a photo of him.
I’ve never made any pieces but I”ve always wanted to.
I don’t own any handmade pottery, but I’d love to. As a Willow House consultant, I’ve got my eye on several of Tena’s pieces!
http://welcometowillowhouse.blogspot.com/2012/06/willow-house-decor-sneak-peek.html
How fun that you got to sit in on a class!! I would love that!! And I would love to win that plate as it does match our Willow House pieces…she is an amazing artist!! I will link to your blog from my business page…I want the world to know about Tena Payne and her pottery!! 😀
Thanks for the fun post about your experience with Tena. We are so proud to share her American Artisan pottery with everyone!! thanks, Rhoda!
Suzanne
one of the things on my “bucket list” would love to “throw that clay sometime.
one of the things on my “bucket list” would love to “throw that clay sometime.”
Love Tena Payne! Looks like so much fun!
Thanks for sharing this Ronda! Looks like an incredible day, so exciting to see more from Tena’s studio as well. We are extremely proud that she is part of our Willow House family.
What a lucky lady to get to play with Tena Payne and her pottery! I am a Willow House consultant…thanks so much for mentioning us and showing off the GORGEOUS Pedestal! We are so proud to represent our American Artist, Tena Payne! I will be sure to link your article to my FB business page!
I own the pedestal you featured and love it! I’ve never made pottery before but have wanted too try for many years. I had the privledge of meeting Tena this summer when she introduced her pottery to us Willow House consultants at our annual convention. She is an amazing lady! I’ll be sure to put a link back to your great post here on my Facebook page – Willow House with Joy. So glad you were able to work in her studio and try your hand at pottery!
I hope your parents have a very happy anniversary!
I adore handmade pottery! In the past I’ve done some free form but have never tried anything on a wheel. I do own many pieces that I love.
I guess if you consider art class pottery in 4th grade, then I have tried it. Looks like a lot of fun. I also wanted to tell you that I get such a kick out of the pictures with your dad helping renovate your home. 🙂
I LOVE Tena’s pottery! Although I have never attended a class, I am now the proud owner of one of those gorgeous Pedestal bowls you pictured here. It has a place of honor on my kitchen island! I love that the pottery is not only beautiful but functional too – food safe, oven safe, etc. Thank you for sharing your experience!
One of these days I am going to make a piece of pottery. I love it.
Thanks
I tried making pottery once long ago at the Fort Worth museum. Found it was NOT my calling! I love Tena’s pottery. It reminds me of the pottery we bought in Hardy, Arkansas on our honeymoon.
I have very fond memories of pottery classes with my Mom when I was younger. I love pottery and the uniqueness of each piece.
Teena’s pottery is lovely!
I love the organic look and feel of pottery. Such a fun thing to collect!