September Fun with Clay

Members of the Port Hacking Potters enjoyed a little hand building at the September meeting with a little demo by Anna to get them started. The theme was the Nativity Scene, some made Angels and some made Wise Men.

Anna brought along a batt full of thrown bases (see photo)

Then explained to the meeting that the idea came from an old pottery book which illustrated how to make a Chess set.  

Taking this idea and a little imagination it is possible to make a Nativity scene with Angels, Wise Men and Shepherds as well as the central figures of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus and then the animals.

Anna started us off with an angel and then handed around her completed set so that members could see how they were put together.  The thrown bases are hollow which keeps the figures light and the additions of thin coils can give the appearance of clothing and facial expressions.  Very few tools are needed but Anna made good use of a small hand extruder with its varied dyes.  To allow more people to get going a tea strainer was used to push clay through with a spoon to simulate hair on the figures - including some wooly sheep.

Everyone had a go and the creations at the end of the night were amazing!  John will do a bisque firing and work will be returned to their makers.