So far, I'm just testing to see if there would be enough interest. This is for hand built pottery classes. I have one 8 yr old student interested but can't make the arrangements for just one.
If I can have 7 or 8 more, who would be interested in learning about clay and how to hand build  pottery, would you get in touch with me, here.
We'll see how this goes.

My son (9) would definitely be interested, maybe my 6 year old too, if she's not too young.  It would just depend on cost/day/etc.  

I'm beginning to think I better start thinking in age brackets. At first, I invisioned only adults but then I got that response with an 8 year old. My brain sort of took on a tilt. ha Wait, uh, what? So I mulled it over and thought maybe it wasn't a bad idea.
I'm not really sure but I think 6 might be a bit young.
I'll wait to see how many might be interested before making a final decision.  thanks for responding. ;D

My daughter, Kelsey, would be interested in a pottery class.  I would need to know dates, times and costs before a definite answer.

My 7 year old would LOVE pottery classes!  Like everyone else, it will depend on date/time/cost, but we are very interested.

Alexis
how much time has your 6 year old spent with things like finger painting. I'm not talking about any perfection, just that she has some coordination with her hands. I'm trying to decide if 6 is too young. :)

This thought arose, while private messaging one of the mom's. Since I hadn't even thought about the very young, until recently, other concerns are just now popping up.

I think we all know the various reasons we are home schooling. I think at the top of the list is safety. Public schools are hardly safe, these days. What's more, I've never trusted anybody with my grandson. Between my daughter and I, we've managed to have one of us at home with him since day one. He's 13 and I STILL don't trust strangers. :)

The shoe is on the other foot now. I'm the stranger. I would expect mom's to tag along for the classes. Mom will get a free class, just no hands on. :)

Class day #1 will be learning about clay: what it is, how it's different, etc. and getting a feel for forming, but not actually getting started on the project.
Class day #2 will be forming a project and learning the feel.
Then 2 days need to pass to let the clay dry properly.
Class day #3 will be painting the project. For a 6 year old, mom may have to do most of the work because this requires even coats. Then firing number 1 and the children will see how this happens.
Class day #4 will be adding glaze to the project. Then firing number 2, to fire on the glaze. The next day, the projects can be picked up all finished and ready to go home.

I thought about starting before Christmas but I think that might be taking on too much for everybody. I'll wait until after Christmas.

As soon as I've finalized dates and readied the workshop, I'll let everyone know. I will need pre-registration about a week ahead of time.

Mom's if you get the fever, we'll think about advanced classes for you guys :) I love making my own dishes.

By the way: Who am I?
My name is Judy Sims. I first started learning to work with clay, at the age of 8, when my parents migrated from south Texas, to Albuquerque. I fell in love with the indian ladies.

This was in 1956 :) yeah, I'm an old lady. Back then, pottery was still a huge subject among the pueblo ladies, even selling in shacks along the highway. Getting an opportunity to watch and learn was pretty easy and the ladies loved that a young one cared enough to sit and watch.

My games, alone in the back yard, consisted of digging up clay and forming little pueblo houses. I spent hours doing this. Almost every day, I'd smash the old house and build a new one. Would you believe, we lived in Farmington for a couple years, where there was nothing but sandstone and I learned how to form that too.

I was 40 years old, before I was introduced to poured ceramics (that's where you pour clay slip into a plaster mold) so my horizons expanded. I brought to the table, my own knowledge of hand building clay.

From Jan of 1990 through Dec 1999, I was sort of the 'hip pocket' of NM. Working out of my own shop on 4th st., I designed and made ceramic molds, as well as mass productions of all sorts of items, from miniatures to huge vases. My customers were those folks who paint and finish their own goods. Nobody knew I was the foundation of their businesses, I produced the molds as well as the raw formed pieces that the others painted and finished.

I'm semi retired now but can't sit still.I dont want to get back into the rat race again, but I still have about half the equipment from the shop. Can't just let it sit there and rust, now can I. :)

I don't teach the science of formulated clay and glazes. I teach the basic knowledge of clay, the feel, how to form and the use of colors and glazes.

There you have it.  Thought you'd like to know.
judy

OK, so now everything keep changing, on me. :)
Would everybody else like to have the classes before Christmas, so that the youngsters are making a Christmas gift? If so, would this Fri or Sat be too soon? puff pant. hahaha

And I've also figured out a way to get the lessons done in 2 classes, just a bit longer (more like 2 hours each time) but the time will pass fast. This way, the little ones will have something to set aside to dry, at the first class.Then we will paint and glaze, on the second class and the pieces will then be ready whenever you get around to dropping by. I'd have to have a day for the firings.

I know you need to know.....the class will cost $50 for everything, I provide all the materials and do the firing. Also, if you have younger ones not attending, bring them along. My daughter said she'd help and we'll get them a spot to play with their own little wad of clay. They'll get messy. Just fair warning.

Let me know how this might fit into your schedules and we'll try to put together a date that suits everybody.
judy

My 6yo daughter has done a lot of painting, drawing, play-doh, etc.  I guess I'd say she has good hand coordination, but not a lot of hand strength, so I would probably have to help some.  I hadn't thought of that before.  

I love the idea of doing this before Christmas, but our schedule might not allow it.  We're pretty booked up!  But we will watch for what works for everyone else and see if we can make it.

We're trying to work toward this Fri or Sat. I'm thinking afternoon, another lady is thinking morning :) That's where we are so far.  And then maybe this weekend is too soon for most. Don't know yet. We could go as late as next Tues. and still have a gift in time for Christmas.

Ok we all caved in. :) We'll schedule for after new years. It's just too stressful to try this before Christmas. I'll keep everybody posted and we'll get this thing rolling in Jan.
judy

Now I'm testing the waters to see what day of the week, will work out for everyone. I like the idea of Wednesday's, simply because it seems to me the weather has been great almost every wednesday, this winter. What's up with that? :)

We will be holding the classes in a double garage. I love when the weather is warm enough (50ish) to leave the door open. The light and fresh air is great.

If this coming Wed. is too soon, let me know. We'll figure out a schedule that fits everybody.
judy

Is there an age on this, and what will be the cost....... my three may be interested depending on time etc. My guys are almost 8 and my daughter is 12



Thanks!~

I was thinking up to the age of 12 for the children's class. As for how young, I think it depends on what the parent thinks the child is capable of. I think 4 is a bit too young.:)
Just remember, the cost is $50 (covers everything)
judy

We're also trying to decide which would be better: my place or NM Clay, which is at 3300 Girard NE. That's about the 4th left off of Candelaria, east of I-25.
If held at my place (in corrales) we will be in a double garage full of molds and ceramics equipment :) and I will need to hold the classes after lunch, so that we can keep the door open and let the warm sunshine in. It's too gloomy, with the door closed.
If held at NM Clay, we can take just about any hour, preferably a week day. We can arrange for Sat. but I'd have to check the schedule, as they have several other classes using their facilities.

Everybody, let me know what your schedules are. I know that with home schooled kids, we all have unique time tables.
judy

I have one mother with 2 children, who can't travel as far as NM Clay. So either I will split up the class, or it's settled and the classes will be held in Corrales.
judy