Over the next 3 days I am going to share my experiences from a 3 day pottery workshop I took last May! I am super excited to be sharing these pics with you MOSTLY because I am headed back to that same pottery workshop in a week and a half!
What's even more exciting about this workshop...is that I somehow talked MomChops, SisterChops, AuntChops and CousinChops into signing up to take the workshop with me (how I have no idea)!!! The other neat thing... is that it's limited to 5 people max. So this basically means the poor woman running it will be inundated with the Chops Clan. MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! I had better have MomChops mail her the keys to the funny farm she's going to need to check into once we are done with her. Kidding. Just Kidding.
So here we go!
Ok well not really. Let me start by telling you that I am going to be sharing the pics in the order they were taken (and be thankful I am not sharing them all). I have nearly 400 pics from 3 measly days of pottery blow out fun! I'll spare you that entertainment. Sympathy Note: MomChops and RonChops have seen them ALL. Poor lambs. Baaaaaaa.
So here we go for real this time!
The name of the studio we are going to is called Cliff House. You can read all about it HERE. It's basically a home/pottery studio/glass blowing studio and gallery. Yeah I know. Totally dreamy. The owners are Pam and Raymond. She's the pottery goddess and he's the glass blowing guru (and gourmet chef who cooks all the meals for you while you are there...just hang with me ok... I have pics of the food too...for serious). The pic way up up at the top is what you see when you drive into the gate. Not kidding. It's in the middle of the country. On 5 acres I think. There is a studio dog named Isabel (Miss. Isabel is going to have her very own post... totally dedicated to NOTHING but Isabel...you'll understand why when you see this amazing dog). In the second pic you can see her way off in the distance waiting for people to come. I cannot give away her amazing talents... you are just going to have to wait.
When you get there each day there is a breakfast of freshly made muffins and assorted decadence. Herbal tea and coffee AND clotted cream, jams and other heavenly spreads which I literally wanted to spoon into my gullet. All of the teas and coffees are served in handmade mugs....oh and there are flowers too. I have pics. But I'll spare ya.
The grounds of this place are all beautifully landscaped with paths and flowers and "reject" pottery and glass sculptures (any of which I would happily love to have).
Raymond (Pam's hubs) brings us drinks and snacks throughout the day...you know... the usual... freshly baked cookies and brownies, ice tea... just regular stuff (I tried getting RonChops to make me freshly baked cookies and brownies for my long days in the craft room but he's not bought into it just yet...I'll keep working on him though).
I'll speed this up cause I could write a novel about my experience there... I know you are all shocked... me... write a novel?!?!?! NEVER!!!!
This is my pottery wheel.
...and my first lump of clay...
...and my very first pot...
Pam is a GOOD teacher folks.
No foolin.
There is Isabel in the back...
Hanging out and being cool...
..and that's a fab pot that Pam threw...
Here is Pam demonstrating...
It's amazing...squeeezzzz the top!
Look at those pottery muscles!
Shaping the mouth of the pot...
See how she's not looking at the pot...
She's looking in a mirror that's sitting in front of her.
That's how you know she's advanced.
I however... was NOT using a mirror. heh
This is Pam the Dog Whisperer (once you meet Isabel you'll understand)
She's talking to the pot...
telling it to be good...
or else.
Fine tuning the mouth of the pot.
She scared the bystanders away with her mad pottery skillz.
Random class shot.
Total sloppy clay messes everywhere!
...and we had to clean it all up...
but it was fun
trust me
Here are some of our pots before we joined them to make really big pots!
Mine are over there on the right side (shortChops and stumpyChops).
This is a pot by Pamtastic!
...and my favorite shot from the first day...
these are some of the pots from the class
Now for the food...
ummmm...
See what I mean?
Tomorrow I'll have loads more pics of actually pottery stuff. I think this post was mostly a scenic view/food fest with a few pottery pics thrown in for good measure (I am seriously in love with Pam, Raymond, Isabel and their lovely home). They are the most creative and kind people I have ever met!
Honestly... I want to encourage you guys to try taking a class or a workshop in your town (Pam and Raymond are all mine and I will not be sharing them...heh... and you think I'm kidding).
I had no idea anything like this was out there till I started searching around on google to find out what pottery class options were available. I knew I wanted to do something potteryesque... but I did not know what until I found this workshop. Your "thing" does not have to be pottery... just follow your heart and poke around to see what's out there. You will not believe how much fun you will have!
Lastly... THANKS seeeeeeew much for all the compliments on The MomChops 2009 Easter Getup! Was she ever thrilled to see all those compliments and comments coming in on her behalf!!! She did look rather snazzy in that outfit I must say!
I'll be back tomorrow with more of my 2008 pottery class and more details on a cake pops party I have planned with my family once they all get into town next weekend! WOO HOO! It's gonna be so much fun (and I will be sharing pics and stories of course))!
Giant Wednesday HUGS!
P.S. See that baby up there. That's Isabel The Wonder Dog.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
P.S.S. If you have already had your very own artsy fartsy adventure (anything really). Please do tell everyone about it in the comments here! Listing your adventures might give someone else the extra push to give it a try!!! Squeezers!
