{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 was given a beautiful piece made by my dear friend’s husband who is a gifted artist. Unfortunately, that piece (after several years of wonderful use at many dinners) broke. Ugggg. I was so sad. These pieces are lovely. I can’t wiat to see how your bowl turn out!
I took a pottery class in college many years ago. It was so much fun! I would love to get a group together and take a class with Tena. I live just a little over an hour away from B’ham.
Happy Anniversary to your parents!
We would like to be sure that the getaway by your first of all on line choose Ugg Boots Sale that results, on the go on offering of your own ” booties ” is actually noan-roblemptic as can be
I love that piece of pottery… it would match my kitchen beautifully. I have never made my own pottery but would love to. I am drooling over the Willow House pedastools! Thanks for the giveaway. Can’t wait to see your finished bowls.
I’ve never made pottery but have always wanted to try my hand at it. I love the look of handmade pottery and would love to win your giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity to win.
I’ve never tried to make pottery, but I have painted it. I know, not quite the same! I don’t have any handmade pottery, but I love the uniqueness of it and the imagery of how God is the potter and we are the clay.
HAPPY 59TH ANNIVERSERY TO RHODA’S PARENTS… I THINK THAT MANY YEARS DESERVES ITS OWN POST. ESPECIALLY IN THIS DAY AND AGE OF DIVORCE. ( not putting you down for your divorce Rhoda because I too am divorced)
I do love pottery because each piece is unique. I have an original piece- a pretty blue bowl from Colorado. It’s sitting on my mantle now where I see it every day.
I’ve never made pottery, but I’ve painted it. I made a small bowl that I keep my rings and jewelery in .
My college roommate and I went to a local creek, dug some grey clay out of the creek bank, brought it home and worked it over, then I may a coil bowl and an ashtray with a mushroom in the center……many, many, many years ago. We baked the finished product in the oven.
I still have the Ug Leeee ash tray!
I made a clay turtle in my freshman year of college. I still have it, tho it is a pitiful excuse for a turtle!
I do own a face jug from a local potter who has made the big time! We named him (the face jug,) Bob, because he resembles a friend of ours!!!!!
I have never made pottery but – 30 years ago – when I was pregnant with our son, I did ceramics. I loved the process of cleaning the green ware, then painting it. And, I was so excited when my pieces came out of the kiln!
I am fortunate to own two pieces of Rockwood pottery – one was my paternal grandmother’s and one was a gift from my husband’s cousin (because I recognized it). We also have a lovely piece by a local sculptor that was a wedding present.
I have never had the opportunity to do pottery. It looks like it would be so much fun. I love the plate that is up for grabs! Sure hope I win it!
I love pottery and I own several pieces of pottery. I always try to find some pottery when I travel and it reminds me of my vacations! Would love to add that pretty tray to my collection!!
there will be a pottery show and sale in Cornelia, Ga October 27th. A number of potters and other artists will be there. If you want more info, email me. Please tell you parents, Happy anniversary!
I have never done it but reading this makes me want to try and find a place to try. Love the look of handmade pottery.
Happy 59th Anniversary!! That is a wonderful milestone.
I have 3 pieces of pottery that I bought from a local potter last summer..the color is similiar to the one your giving away.
I would enjoy taking a class like you did with a group of friends, great fun!
I have never tried my hand at the wheel, but I own lots and lots of handthrown pottery. I live just a few miles south of Seagrove, NC – the pottery capital. Our local community college has a wonderful pottery program that turns out some amazing artists.
I have two pieces of handmade pottery: one made by my stepdaughter in HS, and one a colleague bought for me as a holiday present. Funnily enough, both of those pieces are green, too, so the plate would match beautifully!!!
Cool…my daughter and I have always wanted to take a class, but we never have yet. That would be a really cool Christmas present to each other wouldn’t it? 😉 It reminds me of how God is molding us in His image or shape. too cool!
I did make pottery… in grade school! Yes we had art classes when I was in grade school and so I made a coiled “container” I’ll call it. And painted it some kind of blue I think. It was pretty fun. I also have some hand made items from South America, very bright and colorful. Your post reminded me how fun clay can be, albeit messy! I’d love to have that beautiful display plate myself, but I’ll put out an early congrats to whomever wins it!