Part 4 of the Whimsical Garden Stacks series is about making tree stumps. This class if for both handbuilders and throwers at all levels from the novice to the advanced potter. These tree stumps can also be made into other forms including vases, luminaries and mugs!
I will be using my favorite, go-to clay body, Georgie’s Timberline Sculptural. For outdoor pieces, any groggy clay will work as long as it is vitrified. For functional piece you can use your favorite clay body. And for luminaries a translucent porcelain clay would be lovely. Throughout the class I will provide tips & tricks and ways to alter the templates so you can create your own unique form.
During the first hour of the class I will be demonstrating how to shape, form, alter and carve the tree stump. The second hour of the class will include discussing and demonstrating how I glaze the stumps. I will be using a variety of brand name glazes including Amaco, Mayco, Coyote and Georgie’s glazes & Interactive Pigments. I will also be discussing my process of glaze testing.
Tools:
• Your favorite groggy clay body for outdoor or functional pieces
• Hole cutter to match the size of the rod if making a garden stack piece
• Carving tools (I will be using a variety of Xiem, Kemper and Diamond Core tools)
• Rolling pin or slab roller
• Scoring tool
• Template (I will also be demonstrating how to make a tree stump free hand without a template)
• Circle cutter if not using template
• Glazes
• Wax resist