{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.
Oh my goodness, I see that beautiful plate dresses up with a gorgeous salad (fresh veggies from Mom & Dads garden). Then drizzled with oil and balsamic glaze, a little salt and a few grates of pepper – Voila! A masterpiece. I love the square size and yummy green color.
I’ve taken a few pottery classes but my bowls were sad looking. Though the are used as jewelry pots in my drawer!
Oh forgot to say – Happy Anniversary to your parents. I love the “tater” photo of them together.
I’ve never made ay pottery myself, but my daughters friend does. And she has given me a few pieces. They are lovely. 🙂
I own a few pieces of handmade pottery. There is a craft festival in the area each October, and I save to buy a new piece each year. Love the organic look of anything handmade.
Although I have never had the opportunity to try my hand at crafting pottery, two of my dearest cousins (both of whom succumbed to cancer at early ages) made some lovely pieces. I feel very fortunate to have a piece that each made. I cherish both beautiful, lovingly made pieces. In their simplicity, they are beautiful, exquisite pieces. They’re uniqueness is what makes them so — and that’s the beauty of handthrown pottery.
When I was little, a neighbor down the street had ceramic classes where I made a few things. My whole family was into it but the pieces we did came from molds…but it was fun cleaning them and painting …and when they were fired…that was the exciting part – seeing the finished product! I’ve always wanted to sit at a potter’s wheel to see if I could make something. Love handmade pottery…but don’t own any. Would love my first piece to come from your giveway! Thanks for the chance to win!
I love pottery I’ve never done it myself but am blessed to have family and friends that do it and have been very successful with it as a prof.
I’d love to add this piece to my collection. Thank you.
I love pottery but don’t think I have EVER done anything on a pottery wheel. What am I waiting for?! Anyway, I feel fortunate though to be a Willow House Consultant who gets to sell Tena and her crew’s beautiful work. They are truly talented and we are blessed to offer her fine Made in America designs through our home party business.
I have never taken a pottery class but it looks like it would be a lot of fun.
I have never made pottery but it looks like a lot of fun!! Congrats to your sweet parents!!
I haven’t made any pottery since jr high! What a fun flashback. I might have to find a class. I have received a few handmade pieces as gifts and still cherish them now 20+ years later. I love the color of the plate you are giving away. She has a neat peacock glaze on her website too.
Would love to win this and display it in my kitchen! Beautiful pieces!!
I have not made my own pottery since middle school. That piece doesn’t carry with it memories I care to remember. I have painted pottery at a pottery shop before. I love pottery and have many handmade pieces at my home.
We received a handmade covered bowl and matching goblets and a wine carafe for our wedding, 35 years ago. We still have them and love them for their handmade quality and beauty. QuirkyKim
I have only done the painting at a fun shop, I would love to do a pottery class like you! I do own so orginal pottery made here in North Carolina. Oh, YES, I would love “the one on the left”. What a beautiful piece of pottery. Thank you for this opportunity. Di@Cottage-wishe
I love this pottery! I also have several pieces from Jerry Brown who makes the best funny face pitchers. Thanks Rhoda!
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I’ve always wanted to try my hand at the pottery wheel. I am curious because as you said it looks easy, but if it were that easy, everyone would be making beautiful pottery and making a fortune selling it. I love the color of the plate that’s the prize. I see it on my duck egg blue dresser to hold my jewelry of the day!
I’m a day late, but Happy Anniversary to your Mom and Dad. Next year you can give them an anniversary party in your beautiful house!
I have never taken a pottery class before but you have so inspired me to make this a priority. Would love to win this beautiful piece!!
Would love to win, I have a collection of McCoy pottery . I enjoy the great colors of the old stuff, but the white with the crackle is my favorite .