Happy Potters make horses and pine needle-themed bowls

Jackie Graham explains how to pine-needle weave on pottery bowls to Sandy Holt in a recent class.

Jackie Graham explains how to pine-needle weave on pottery bowls to Sandy Holt in a recent class.

Jan Marx

This fall potters enjoyed two classes with Southwestern vibes. First, Liz Katz taught the art of horse making. A sculptor/potter, Katz designed patterns for those wishing to explore other ways to use clay besides making pots. Many students commented on how much fun the project was. The results of their efforts showed in the final products, a variety of horses and unicorns. Eve Draper made two unicorns, a purple and a pink one, presents for her granddaughters. Trinka Taylor perched a tiny cardinal on the back of one of her horses. Dawn Schiegg made hers turquoise with yellow accents.

A long-time gourd designer, Jackie Graham taught the second class using pottery bowls with holes near and around the top rims. Bowls were made before the class so that all the participants needed to do was to learn how to weave with pine needles. The techniques are challenging to learn at the beginning, but once everyone practiced the bowls blossomed into classy objects. Because so many students enjoyed the experience, club members plan to produce several of the bowls for next year’s craft sale. In the meantime you can expect to begin seeing some of them for sale in the display windows in January.

Those wishing to join the club must attend orientation, which happens four times a year. Check with us for dates.