Lots going on lately, including saggar and raku firing (both regular and "naked" raku). That's Helen with her naked raku pot below - note the beautiful wooden handle, which was added after the firing.

We also had a workshop on making small vehicles with people and critters inside, which was lots of fun! It was based on a car and a van that our own Judy Jo made from clay 5+ years ago -shown below. Judy and Anne taught the class together. Some of the work in progress is shown below, as well as one page of a set of instructions. It's not a simple project, that's for sure - but people really got into it.

A display of the whimsical cars and vans created by our members will be in the CAC Studio's windows next month, starting August 14.  And watch this space for more pictures!

Lots of interesting things happening in the CAC studio lately - see below. Folks have been sculpting, learning to throw on the wheel, sharing their work in Show & Tell, finding out  how to glaze for raku firing, etc. We always have a lot of fun in the studio!

Bob Pool gave us an interesting demonstration of using ceramic stamps and inlaid slip to make beautiful designs on pottery last week. He also showed how to cut facets into a round wheel-thrown vase, making squared sides. In the process Bob shared some fascinating Asian ceramic techniques and history he's gleaned from the working trips he takes to Korea (and sometimes Japan or China) on an annual basis. Below are photos of two of his finished pots, as well as the one he was working on while he was with us (that's the one on the right - shown when it's dry and has been sanded, but hasn't been fired yet). He does beautiful work!

Not many of us showed up this time, probably because it was the day after Thanksgiving. But there were some interesting things nevertheless - see below. And several of us stayed afterwards to work, making new pieces, finishing works in progress, glazing bisqued pieces, etc.

Due to the popularity of our last Hand-Building workshop, there are going to be 3 mini workshops on the same line in the first half of October. These will be limited to 8 participants per session, with even more hands-on help from experienced members for those who need it - we'll have a lot of fun making holiday-related items! For more info, including dates & times, click on the Classes & Workshops tab under Events, above.

Meanwhile, here are some of the recent things happening (including a raku-firing and our last Show & Tell) at the CAC studio: