Pinch-Pot-Pumpkins 2024

Description

The Return of Ravn Clay's ever-popular Pinch-Pot Pumpkin Workshop - now bigger and smaller and better and longer than ever before. Come and get creative forging your own autumnal treasure out of stoneware clay.

This ninety-minute pottery session, designed for the young but also the young at heart, will see you create a Halloween Pumpkin (or seasonal squash - it’s up to you) using a very simple Pinch- or Thumb-pot technique. Although simple in principle, it will involve some skill and imagination in joining and decorating your finished piece! We will work together to make the pots, and once finished, they will stay at the studio to be fired, glazed and then re-fired. All in time to be collected (or posted out) for Halloween!

Pumpkins will then be glazed in a single colour, chosen from the dipping glazes held in the studio. Orange will of course be available. Their stalks will be glazed in a contrasting colour. 

Again, we will be offering a range of sizes for your pumpkin creations. As such, the booking fee only books you a seat at the table - you will then need to pay on the day for what you make. Some people will be very happy with one mighty pumpkin - suitable as a paperweight or similar (these will be the same size as pumpkins made last season) - others with a more delicate medium sized pumpkin, others might choose a family of baby pumpkins. 

This 2024 booking structure it is designed to allow people to make as many (or as few) of the pumpkin shape they most feel drawn to. There is no stated size or number - and you are only limited by the time you have available. 

On the day, participants will need to pay the following for each pumpkin built;

There are only eight places per session - that allows enough access to support for everyone to be successful! Also, as this is a creative class designed for younger potters, it is expected that a parent or guardian will stay with any participant aged 16 or under. Each ticket will enable one participant to build pumpkins. If you are accompanying a younger potter, and want to join in, please book an additional space; if you will only attend to help them, no extra ticket is needed. 

A word of warning - the kiln Gods can be fickle, and despite doing everything possible, some pieces will fail, crack or blow up (!) in the kiln. There are no guarantees in pottery, not even for seasoned potters. 

A second word of warning - working with pottery can be hugely addictive. You have been warned!

The New Ford Studio is housed on the ground floor of the old Reading Rooms - you will find it just up the road from Lady Waterford Hall. Nearby are many attractions and places to walk, shop and eat; how about a near by Narrow-guage Railway (that runs to Etal Castle and back), a working flour mill, a Village Shop & Tearoom, a heavy horse centre, a micro-brewery, or a Riverside cafe? 

https://w3w.co/lobster.rapid.clinking

TD15 2QG

Access to the studio is only via a set of external stone steps, and there is a single toilet available on site. The booking cost (£6.00) secures a spot at the maker's table; if you need to stay to support a younger participant, please make sure you have noted this when you book your ticket!

Please note - the cost includes all materials, tuition, glaze and firings. If you need your work posting out to you or someone else, please ensure you book an additional postage and packing ticket!

Remember, under 16s need a parent or guardian in attendance. You can assist and support your young person, but if you want to build your own pumpkin, you'll need to book and pay for an additional space.

We look forward to seeing you soon.