Weekend Part 1 - Sandi Pierantozzi

My weekend was about as full as full can be (in a good way) and I am still recovering. Saturday was spent at the studio attending a workshop with one of my favorite potters, Sandi Pierantozzi. Sandi is primarily a handbuilder who teaches some basic techniques that can be used in a multitude of ways whether you are a thrower or a handbuilder. My first workshop with Sandi was a year and half ago and it was the most exciting and stimulating experience I had encountered in pottery at that point. Since then, when I have the time to make anything bigger than a quarter, I have used her techniques as endless sources of inspiration.

The workshop was two days, but unfortunately I could only attend on Saturday. I made the most of it and thoroughly enjoyed learning some new techniques and spending some time with my studio mates.

Here are some of the demos (above & below) that Sandi made throughout the day. I was particularly excited to learn how to make the wavy bottom that can be seen on the mug to the right.

I purchased this sweet little pouring vessel (below) that features some of Sandi's hand-carved relief designs that she rolls the clay into before assembling the piece.

And here is my little lidded jar that I made during the workshop (below). I stamped the clay with a a vintage Lucite love bird jewelry finding that I had in my tool box and, just in case there was any doubt as to the birds status of affection, I stamps "love birds" all around the piece. I pierced a hole in the top of the cone lid and will add some sort of knob after the piece is glazed. I am pretty happy with the design and plan on making some more variations on this theme. :)

To see more photos from the workshop click here.