Basics of hand building (9/29/25 -12/1/25)

$500.00

Instructor: Martha Kaemmer

Date: 9/29/25 -12/1/25 (No class on Indigenous People’s day on 10/13/25)

Time: Monday 10:00am - 12.30pm

Description

This class will cover the basics of hand building, from pinching and coiling to working with slabs. Hand building pottery is generally a slower process than wheel throwing, which provides possibilities for exploring the feeling of clay and opportunities for discovery of forms.

Through demonstrations of each technique the students will be encouraged to experiment with their own ideas for objects, both functional and sculptural. We will also discuss glazing and decorative techniques.

The goal of this class is to become comfortable working with clay in it’s various stages and developing an understanding of the process that transforms a lump of clay to a beautiful object.

This class is open to all levels. More experienced students can work on their own projects with guidance from the teacher.

Suggested materials

Fettling knife

Pin tool

Metal ribs (one smooth and one serrated)

Sponge

wooden tools for getting in small corners

Apron and a hand towel (although clay does wash out of clothes)

Here is an affordable starter kit from Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/KACOLA-Sculpting-Modeling-Trimming-Embossing/dp/B09DD2BHF4

https://www.amazon.com/2pcs-Wooden-Fettling-Pottery-Sculpting-Modeling/dp/B085GFF58T

https://www.amazon.com/Kemper-Tools-Clay-Sculpture-Serrated/dp/B00SX9KGXQ

Instructor: Martha Kaemmer

Date: 9/29/25 -12/1/25 (No class on Indigenous People’s day on 10/13/25)

Time: Monday 10:00am - 12.30pm

Description

This class will cover the basics of hand building, from pinching and coiling to working with slabs. Hand building pottery is generally a slower process than wheel throwing, which provides possibilities for exploring the feeling of clay and opportunities for discovery of forms.

Through demonstrations of each technique the students will be encouraged to experiment with their own ideas for objects, both functional and sculptural. We will also discuss glazing and decorative techniques.

The goal of this class is to become comfortable working with clay in it’s various stages and developing an understanding of the process that transforms a lump of clay to a beautiful object.

This class is open to all levels. More experienced students can work on their own projects with guidance from the teacher.

Suggested materials

Fettling knife

Pin tool

Metal ribs (one smooth and one serrated)

Sponge

wooden tools for getting in small corners

Apron and a hand towel (although clay does wash out of clothes)

Here is an affordable starter kit from Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/KACOLA-Sculpting-Modeling-Trimming-Embossing/dp/B09DD2BHF4

https://www.amazon.com/2pcs-Wooden-Fettling-Pottery-Sculpting-Modeling/dp/B085GFF58T

https://www.amazon.com/Kemper-Tools-Clay-Sculpture-Serrated/dp/B00SX9KGXQ

About Marta Kaemmer

Born in Zimbabwe, Marta spent her teenage and college years in the Midwest before moving to Austria. She returned to the US to earn her Master of Fine Arts from Boston University in 2011. Trained as a painter, her interest in materials has kept her moving between media and including printmaking, textiles, sculpture and ceramics in her work. Her work is process based with a strong interest in color, patterns, texture, and form. She has taught painting and ceramics at various art centers in the Boston area including Decordova in Lincoln, New Art Center, Newton, Lexington Arts and Crafts, Lexington, Score and Slip, Beverly, and Mosesian Center for the Arts, Watertown.