This month we're taking a look at what it takes to glaze a real "show-stopping" piece, and we think we have a fool-proof formula! We use this method in our own production, saving both time and money... plus it gives amazing results!
Getting a complex, "drippy," result can be accomplished at home without a whole lot of brainpower and heartache. Some of the most successful glaze results can happen with only a couple glazes. That's right - only 2 glazes!
It's as simple as choosing a base glaze and an accent glaze!
Crazed Copper base + Mottled Blue
STEP 1: Choose a "stable" base glaze.
By stable, we mean that it doesn't drip or have a tendency to run. They are often just a single colour that is unchanging, meaning it doesn't "break" or do anything fancy. Choosing a "celadon" is a safe bet.
Photo 1: Forest by Laguna
Photo 2: Lavender by Amaco
Photo 3: Sedona Sunset by Coyote
STEP 2: Make your base glaze dip-able!
Yes, that means manually mixing up a bucket of dry glaze! We have a simple method for mixing dry glaze in our last blog post here, for anyone feeling intimidated.
Mixing up 5lbs dry is a good start. Dipping (instead of brushing) your glaze ensures you get an even base coat without running the risk of putting it on too heavy. It's also far more economical to do it this way because dry glaze is cheap - and you will need more glaze to cover a whole piece! Plus, dipping is just faster.
STEP 3: Choose a rebellious, wild, unpredictable pint of glaze!
AKA: the most fun step. Choose your accent glaze! These are the glazes you see that have a lot of stuff going on. They break into different colours, have a tendency to run, are often metallic or are apart of a glaze family that's a little bit unpredictable. They're like the wild child of the family, or your best friend who's a bad influence. These are the glazes that are going to add life to your piece! These are best purchased in pints, as you won't be needed a whole lot of them.
Using a fan brush, you can brush an entire layer of glaze right over the base glaze. As a general rule of thumb, we only add one coat of the accent glaze (so it doesn't run the risk of dripping off the piece and onto the kiln shelf). This will achieve a more uniform, but complex colour.
This was applied with a glaze bulb around the edge of the mug rim.
STEP 5 (Optional): Try a third accent
Because, why not? Just follow the same step as above - applying a little less glaze for each layer. We LOVE to use any of Coyote's line of Archie Glazes because they're formulated to run, drip and blend with any glaze they come into contact with. It's a great way to bond everything together.
Photo 1: Baby Blue Satin base + Ice Blue.
Photo 2: Starry Night base + Smokey Merlot + Fire Opal
Photo 3: Forest base + Gun Metal Green
The beauty of this method is that once you have a base glaze, all you have to worry about is buying pints of glaze here and there to get countless combinations!
Need some inspiration? Come by our studio anytime and we can help you pick out some great combos with lots of examples! Amaco also does an EXCELLENT job of cataloguing all thier glaze combinations.
Happy glazing, folks!
- Sarah
What is Specific Gravity (sg)?
It is a calculations of how many particles of actual glaze material exist in a standard unit, in this case, in 100ml of water. If we can find out how dense the particle count is, then we'll know how thickly the glaze will apply.
Calculating a "sweet spot" of 145-150sg ensures you've mixed the glaze properly and that you're getting the best possible outcome for your glaze.
If you're a visual learner, this cool graphic might help put all the pieces into place!
You'll need:
Step 1: We're going to work in the unit "grams." Place your graduated cylinder on the scale and measure it's weight. This graduated cylinder is 14g.
Step 2: With your graduated cylinder still on the scale, pour your glaze into it up to the 100g mark (Remember: 100 ml = 100 g).
Step 3: Read the weight showing on the digital scale, then subtract 14g (the weight of the graduated cylinder).
Step 4: That final number is your glaze's current specific gravity!
You want to have a glaze that is within 145-150 sg.
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Learning how to mix dry glaze allows for endless possibilities! Why is mixing dry glaze the way to go?
It's easy once you get the hang of it. We'll show you how to mix dry glaze for a 1lb batch and how to check the surface gravity so that you get consistent results every time.
You'll need:
Step 1: Add 1lb of dry glaze into a container. Add 2g Brushing Medium if you're planning on applying the glaze with a brush (not needed for Coyote Glazes).
Step 2: Begin by adding 10oz of water and mix vigorously, preferably with a hand blender. You're aiming for the consistency of heavy cream. Add the remaining 2oz of water if needed.
Step 3: Let stand for 24 hours to allow mixture to settle.
Step 4: After letting it sit for 24 hours, mix again and use a sieve to remove any particles. We recommend using the 60 Mesh Mini Sieve.
Step 5: Check your Specific Gravity!
]]>Making your garden Bee-Friendly will benefit both the bees, and the humans.
One of the best ways to help is to plant flowers and flowering herbs in your garden that bee's LOVE. It's safe to say anything with vivid colours in purple, blue and white will do. Planning a garden that blooms through all seasons, ie. late spring to early fall, is also necessary to keep bees happy and healthy all year.
Try to choose at least one plant for each season!
In addition to helping them out with food, you can also help them safely access water. Bees need a safe "landing pad" in order to drink water without drowning. Our Bee Waterer is perfect for attracting them and providing a safe landing.
Helping the bees helps humans! We've gotta give it to them, they help us eat (they're responsible for pollinating 70% of crops - chocolate included) so we should help them eat, too!
Now until June 30th, save 15% off our "Bee Collection"
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First and foremost, we just want to put it out there that we are hardcore Coyote fans. Most of our work for production incorporates Coyote glaze on Laguna clay. Did you know that B-Mix clays are based on Martin Butt's recipes? So you can image how much we nerded out when we got a behind-the-scenes look!
All their glazes are made in 50kg batches, individually tested, and hand poured into pints! HAND POURED! As wholesale production potters ourselves, we were so happy to see the handmade touch that goes into the glazes we use! We really feel like it embodies the philosophy of handmade, which makes us love it even more.
And as for testing each glaze? Yup, there's a wall for that! We felt like a kid in a candy store. And the coolest part was Coyote keeps its studio doors open for independent artists to work and have 100+ buckets of glaze at their fingertips. Imagine all the great combos that must be discovered there?
These are the class glazes
Needless to say, we’re inspired. We’re currently working on bulking up our own wall of test tiles for Coyote samples. We’ve always got at least 50 different Coyote glazes in stock, but now its time to show ‘em off!
We wanted to personally thank Martin Butt for his time and generosity to give us a sneak peak of how our favourite glazes are made!
Thanks, Martin!
Check out our selection of Coyote glaze, that is now 10% OFF for the month of April, and let us know if there are some colours you think we should stock!
And as for getting inspired, consider joining this Facebook Group: Coyote Glaze Information Exchange. It's a great place to share and discover new glaze combos, especially if you don't happen to live in Albuquerque!
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For us, the newest find was the Drawing Ribs by Mudtool. If you love texture on your work, this is the new "treat yo'self" gadget. Adding texture to your work really helps with your glaze-game, especially in conjunction with Celadon glazes. If you're into applying slip on the inside or outside of your work like me, the sharp, precise edges of these Drawing Ribs work best to carve into the slip. Check out this guy's video (at 4:15 minutes) of him creating texture with slip.
Although the Drawing Ribs may seem similar to the amazingly-priced, practical, hard-working serated rib (my favourite tool if you can't tell), the Drawing Rib differs with its spacing and pattern of grooves along the edge, allowing more variation with line. And bending the Drawing Rib can help distort the grooves even more!
Sorry serated rib, you're just a little too boring for texture.
But, I think the real magic in all of this is its ability to curve on the INSIDE of a bowl... Now that's a game changer!
There isn't really anything else out there that has the fine detail or metal grooves to bend effortlessly around curved objects like the Drawing Ribs. Not even a potential idea for a thrifty-do-it-yourself-pottery-tool my brain could muster up. I'd say, give 'em a try! Especially because they're all on sale right now. Oh, did I forget to mention that?
Expires March 1, 2017.
]]>How you ask? Slump molds all the way!
Tools you’ll need:
Roll out a slab of your favourite hand building clay (maybe try 436 for a white clay or 613 for a red clay). You want the slab to be about 1 cm in thickness. Let the slab stiffen up a little bit beforehand.
Trace some found leaves on the slab and cut them out. For a nice clean cut, we suggest this style of knife. As you cut them out place them in the slump mold. Decide where you want the next leave to go, score and slip both leaves with Magic Water and stick them together. You can soften the seams with a whip-out tool. Continue doing this until the whole bowl is full of leaves.
Detail the leaves if you so desire, and you may want to finish it with our faithful white Mudsponge to get it nice and smooth and press it down into the mold further. Let it dry slowly, and you should be able to pop it right out of the mold as it shrinks.
Ta-dah! That’s it.
Let us know how you did, we love seeing customer and student work! Tag your masterpieces on Instagram @amaranthstoneware to show 'em off.
This piece is glazed with Pistachio Shino.
Born and raised in Kingston, Jackie headed to Vancouver after studying at St. Lawrence College to work with addicts living on the streets. She found an outlet for this draining work in pottery and soon joined the Vancouver Potters Guild. Inspired by a local artist creating small figurines, she began a life long love affair with the arts.
Back in Kingston, Jackie focused her efforts on design. Most Kingstonians may remember her stores All That Jazz - where she handmade clothing for retail but also outfitted Kingston's very own The Tragically Hip and her bead store Carriageway Beadery - a Kingston first.
Jackie returned to pottery in 1994 and hasn’t looked back. Immersing herself in pottery books, conferences and classes, Jackie happily admits she is a self-taught potter and her undeniable talent and diversity is apparent in everything she touches. You could easily call her famous. Having sold pieces around the world, many of her clients have become collectors, some owning up to 30 pieces.
The characters she creates are not only beautiful, but they are creations that come from her soul. She is inspired by nature and creates pieces that are inspirational and provoke mindful imagery.
Her style is unique but so is her process. As a self-taught potter, Jackie bucks the norm and has raised a few eyebrows along the way but is never bothered by the chatter. She loves to teach beginners and she herself learns and grows through their work. She teaches some of her throwing class with her eyes closed to reinforce the importance of feeling the clay noting that everyone throws differently. She describes teaching as "a bowl of granola, you reach in and never know what you're going to get."
When I asked her about the difference between pottery and the characters she creates, Jackie said that the pottery was like rehearsing lines for a play, but the characters were like being on stage; a true artistic release. Art is definitely in her soul and she can't help but create. Not having a day spent creating would probably induce a massive amount of anxiety.
Although Jackie has her own home studio, she loves to refer people to Amaranth Stoneware to fire their pieces if they don't have access to a kiln. She loves the relaxed attitude and believes Amaranth is a place where potters can let it go and focus on creating their pieces.
What's next for Jackie? She’ll be throwing at Fort Henry starting June 2017 for her not to be missed solo show.
I could have listened to Jackie talk for hours! I left our meeting inspired to create and hoping our paths would cross again.
]]>There has been no love for the oven this summer but I've been on a cooking and baking spree all week thanks to the cooler weather!
First up? Apple crisp, of course!
I brought home some Amaranth pottery to try out over the weekend and thought the Firebrick Baker would be perfect to tackle the crisp.
Handmade from durable stoneware and lead-free glaze this Baker tackled the crisp like a boss. It fit 2 large Gala apples perfectly (could have added more but we enjoy a greater topping to apple ratio) and was exactly what I needed to go from oven to table.
I envision using the Firebrick Baker for things like zucchini and corn bread in the future and with Fall finally here, nothing can stand in my way!
These sweet Bakers are $10 off for the month of October and would make a great Christmas gift for the baker in your life.
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Did you know these little suckers can travel to your home on the produce you buy? They lay eggs on the skin of very ripe fruit meaning those bananas I took home were potentially harbouring the newest generation of fruit flies. GROSS.
Lucky for me, Amaranth Stoneware just so happens to offer the EXACT thing I needed to exterminate my new roommates. Behold, the Fruit Fly Trap (aka: The Shroom of Doom).
Simply fill the base with your choice of bait (sweet wine, fruit juice or apple cider vinegar) and add 1 to 2 drops of dish soap. Add the mushroom cap and leave undisturbed in the kitchen.
Proceed with extermination dance party.
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As a shop local enthusiast and collective supporter, I was surprised to hear about Kingston gem Meraqi Art Annex for the first time a few weeks ago! Exploring their beautiful space on Brock St., I thought they would be the perfect shop to introduce you to our new monthly feature: Meet The Locals.
Meet the Locals: Meraqi Art Annex
Owned by one of the nicest people I've ever met, Grace started this collective 2 years ago to offer a wide and eclectic collection created by artists from Kingston and the surrounding areas. The combination of 2 words, Meraqi sums up the local artist collective meaning "inspired to create with soul, creativity and love."
Julie: What made you want to start a collective for local artists?
Grace: Well, as an artist myself, it's hard to sell your art on your own because space is very cost prohibitive - especially downtown - so sharing as a cooperative and sharing to support each other was one of the reasons. Also staffing and trying to do all of the things around marketing is complicated and time consuming as an artist.
J: The artists that are part of the collective, they also work here?
G: Yeah! They're here on different days. For example Aurora is usually here on Fridays and Amanda on Sundays. Different days, different artists. It also helps when people love a piece of art we can suggest they come in on a day when that artist is working. People love that because they can connect and chat with the artist that created the pieces they love.
J: Does the collective remain the same or does it change annually or seasonally?
G: There is room to join the collective. People need to get in touch with us with a portfolio and some information about themselves and we put it in the queue. There is a fee to be a collective artist but we share the space and promote the work.
J: People can find the physical location, but do you have an online presence?
G: Yes. We have the website and I started an online store this week so people can shop during the wintertime when they don't want to venture downtown when the streets are pretty heavy with snow. We're also on all the social media channels.
J: Along with the collective, you also have some consignment artists as well?
G: We have about 20 consignment artists that bring their products in. We try to shake it up and things sell quickly but usually every 3 months we switch it up. Right now we are getting pieces for fall and winter and obviously different things for Christmas.
J: You make jewelry but you are also a potter?
G: I do pottery as well. I do metal work - everything from silver and copper, bronze, brass and some gold as well. I do a lot of sculpture pottery and I have more coming in with metal accents. I have them in different stages of completion but they'll be in soon. The bird houses in the windows and the terrariums are complete with copper accents but newer things are coming.
J: There really is something for everyone here!
G: Absolutely. And something at every price point. That is a big one for us because it's art for everyone in here. It's not exclusive it really is art for everyone. From a $25 necklace to a painting for a few thousand dollars, we really want this to be for everyone and we try to keep it that way. I love when people come in to tour around. We get comments about how the space is like a museum and people can just stay for a long time and just look and come in another a few weeks later and find things they didn't notice the first time around. We have artist biographies on the wall and lots to see.
J: Would you say that the majority of the pottery that's in here has been fired at Amaranth?
G: I love Amaranth, it's my studio away from home. A good portion of the work here has been done there. A lot of Amanda's Raku and a lot of her pottery is fired at Amaranth. We both purchase the majority of our supplies at there as well. They are our 1 stop shop for sure. I'm so grateful that they're in the community because it makes it easy for everyone, especially new beginners to get their foot in the door and try it out. I can easily send people there because of how convenient the location is and their hours of operation are great. I tell people to go up there to take lessons all the time.
J: What's next for Meraqi Art Annex?
G: I've started blogging and will focus on that a little more during the quieter months. We also want to do some fundraisers and classes. We'll probably look into having things in the store in either January or February.
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Back in the studio we chat about her pottery journey surrounded by beautiful pieces and listening to Rod Stewart.
Julie: How long have you been a potter?
Yuko: I took my fist pottery class when I was 18 with a Master Potter who was an expert with coils. After that I kept potting as a hobby.
J: How long have you been teaching?
Y: I kept taking classes after I got married and had kids, then started teaching at a Canadian International School in Singapore. I moved to Canada in 2001 and became part of the Kingston Potter's Guild but I wasn't a mature enough potter to teach. The year after I joined the Potter's Guild I was approached to become a professional artist. I said yes but still didn't know how to throw! I was only doing hand building at the time with 1 wheel and a few tools I brought with me from Japan. Gradually I started to throw because I had to make mugs.
J: How long have you been teaching at Amaranth?
Y: 2 years ago. I only teach twice a year because I work from my studio in Japan during the summer with the guidance of a Master Potter.
J: It sounds like you are a life long student of potter!
Y: Yes, exactly! Especially with the philosophy. I'm still learning a lot from the Master Potter I work with in the summers.
J: I love that you have been studying pottery since you were 18 but you are still learning. I think that's important for students who want to take a pottery class but are nervous to know...you can be a teacher but always learning.
Y: Oh yes, definitely. I did my first ever solo show in Japan this summer in a gallery. My work is both in Japan and Canada but I'll be doing an art festival in London end of October.
J: How would you describe the Glaze Gurus class starting next week?
J: Do you consider this class an all-levels class?
Y: Absolutely. There is a lot of hand building in this class and it is meant for people to have fun.
These fancy little creatures have even inspired a recent trend of "living jewelry".
Succulents are the perfect plant if you have a tendency to kill everything. They prefer being left alone, sunning themselves like a cat. If they look dry, what the heck, give them a little water!
Keep these miniature gems in a sunny spot and your love story will be one for the ages.
You can use the leaves on your plant to grow more succulents! How? Stick a leaf in your pot, water and watch it grow. Even if it doesn't work it will still look amazing.
Succulents are so amazing that they can even defy gravity! Plant your succulents in one of our Living Wreaths (currently on sale!) and create the perfect backdrop for your gravity-defying succulents! If your succulents are afraid of heights, you can also leave as an adorable centerpiece.
Become a succulent owner and amaze your friends with your newfound green thumb! Just don't tell them your new plants are practically immortal.
Because Sarah is an artist (check out her portfolio here) I assumed she was a seasoned potter but her experience with clay prior to working at Amaranth was limited. She modelled with it in school and only took her first pottery class in 2015 when she joined the Amaranth team. See below for our chat and learn why the pottery classes offered at Amaranth Stoneware are for everyone.
Julie: What classes have you taken so far?
Sarah: I’ve take 2 classes now - a hand building class with Yuko and a throwing class with Krista.
J: What was your biggest takeaway from both of them?
S: Yuko is an incredible instructor. She’s very intuitive with clay and gets very excited when you start making pieces. In Krista’s class I learnt how forgiving clay is and how easy it is to correct an error. Glazing and trimming make a huge difference. The coolest thing I learnt though is that you can make your own stamps!
J: As a pottery newbie, how did you feel going in? Were you nervous learning a new medium?
S: I love learning new techniques and tried to rid my brain of my artistic background to focus on the techniques. I wanted to be ok with failure if things didn’t turn out and just focus on learning.
J: How was the class atmosphere?
S: The first few nights were all about building confidence. In the hand building class we were encouraged to work without a plan which helped people get more comfortable with the process.
J: Any advice for people wanting to try something new?
S: If you are artistically inclined, try a hand building or glazing class to hone in on that creativity.
J: What about people that are interested in pottery but are either too scared to try out a class or don't think they could produce anything that would look good?
S: The classes are fun! You're creating something from nothing and there is something powerful and addictive in that. There were so many people that came with friends to have a good time and were surprised with the amount of pieces they created and how well they turned out. The pottery classes are for everyone!
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Bees are often getting the short end of the stick with climate change as their food (pollen from flowers) is often arriving too early or too late.
Here are a few ways to help them out:
Support Local and Organic Farmers
Eating foods that are locally grown will help farmers maintain a range of crops giving the bees more pollen options that can help boost their health.
Practice Organic Gardening
Give bees a helping hand by providing a safe environment
This Bee Feeder is designed to give bees a helping hand. Filling the feeder with sugar water provides a bee-lated snack when blooms are unavailable.
Mason bees are the Usain Bolt of pollinators - always winning gold at the pollinator olympics. The Bee House was created to mimic their preferred wood and offer them a protected space while the females gather pollen to add to the tubes, lay their eggs, seal them up with mud and repeat until full.
Bees drink a lot of water but need a safe place to land because drinking and flying is against bee law. Fill the Bee Waterer with glass beads (included) and add water to provide a safe haven.
All bee puns aside, protecting our pollinators is something everyone should get involved with.
]]>Gerald first discovered the famous potter on Youtube and was immediately impressed with his knowledge and skill set. The 2-day workshop did not disappoint!
Creating test tiles for the workshop
The education came at the attendees like a tsunami and days were filled to the last possible minute with what could only be described as “incredible” information.
John’s teaching skills were adaptable to all levels. He was accessible, responsive and truly had his finger on the pulse of the glaze that runs through potter’s veins. Sharing 40+ glaze bases (years worth of work for most) that were tested and proven really inspired Gerald to get back to basics and upon return to Amaranth Stoneware, he completed a bench overhaul!
Before After
Here are the top 5 things learned at the John Britt workshop:
John Britt is a studio potter in North Carolina who has worked and taught internationally and authored 2 books on glazing.
]]>Written by Claire O'Connor and published in Ceramic Arts Daily
Here's just a little clip from it, but you can read the whole piece here.
Want to be smarter? Sign up for a class! If you're in the Kingston, Ontario area you can learn about our pottery classes here. If not we encourage you to find a local potter in your area or you can order some clay and learn from the wonderful World Wide Web!
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Kingston Heritage - Mandy Marciniak
Contest Seeks Most Stressed Out Kingstonian
The idea of art as therapy isn’t new, but the idea of getting muddy at a pottery studio as therapy may be.
This summer, Amaranth Stoneware is hoping to help alleviate some stress in the community; the studio is asking members of the community to nominate someone they think could use a little relaxation and on Sept. 2, one of the nominees will receive a free pottery class.
“The classes can be really beneficial and a lot of people are surprised by how relaxed they are afterwards,” explained Ruth Adams, thrower and teacher at Amaranth. “With pottery, people really have to slow down and focus on what they are doing. The act is completely about using your hands and your body and getting yourself centered to make it happen.”
Adams has been teaching pottery classes for a number of years now, but she still remembers her initial experiences with pottery and how quickly she fell in love with it.
“I got the bug for it and I just wanted to keep going. I started taking courses and I think I took every course that I could and really immersed myself in pottery,” said Adams. “I loved it and I kept learning more and then I progressed to teaching too.”
Adams started teaching children’s classes and summer camp groups. Soon after those experiences, Amaranth Stoneware expanded to their new location at 745 Development Drive and with more spaces for classes and pottery production, Adams started teaching adult classes too.
“It is really rewarding seeing people come in and make something that they will have forever,” she said. “The classes can also be very therapeutic. There is a nice texture to the clay and it is tactile to work with it. The experience is very unique.”
To give this experience to more people, Amaranth decided to run a contest. The winner will receive a free class valued at $250. Community members are encouraged to nominate family members, friends or even themselves.
Adams hopes that a lot of people take interest and nominate or enter the contest; one of her favourite parts of teaching is seeing the transformation in people from beginner to pottery lover and she hopes this free class will allow someone that opportunity.
“It is something that I think is completely outside of what most people are dealing with in their day to day life with kids and the hustle and bustle,” she said. “The response from my students has been really positive and I think people get a sense of achievement from the classes.”
Overall, Adams just wants to share her love of pottery with as many people as possible.
“Pottery is something that is completely individual and it is something that people can do for themselves,” she said. “I like it when students see the process happening and they are relaxing and they are learning to love pottery in the way that I do.”
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The Whig Standard
A big thank you to Michael Lea at the Whig Standard who came and talked with us about our
Get Someone Muddy contest.
Enter yourself a friend, family member or neighbor here.
A local pottery studio has been seeking out people who need to reduce the stress in their lives.
Amaranth Stoneware knows the stress-busting benefits of working with clay so the owners have started up a contest where participants can nominate someone who needs to experience the relaxing qualities of the craft.
"It's just getting people thinking that this is another way to de-stress, that pottery is a great way to get muddy and zone out a bit," explained Evelyn Kembel, an employee at the studio.
They started accepting nominations July 8 and will pick a winner after nominations close Sept. 4. The person picked will get a six week-long pottery class beginning Sept. 15.
The idea for the contest came from the sight of people being so relaxed while working on a potter's wheel, Kembel explained.
Art therapy has been around for a long time and pottery is a great example of it, she continued.
"People just zone right out."
They aren't worrying about what colour the clay should be or what shape it should be. They are just enjoying the feel of it, she said.
"They have this lump of clay and they are just pushing it and moving it around and seeing what happens to it. You just let whatever happens, happen. You don't really know what you are going to get until after it is dried, glazed and fired."
They have already had about 120 nominations.
One came from a teenaged boy who nominated his mother because she worked so hard for their family. He simply wanted to do something nice for her.
Another was from a person whose neighbour was always volunteering in the community but never took time out for himself.
A third was for a nurse who helped someone through a difficult medical crisis.
People are also welcome to nominate themselves, Kembel said
"Because sometimes you have to take care of yourself."
They aren't going to judge who needs the pottery class more than someone else, she explained.
"I would just feel bad. I don't want to say this person sounds like they need it a lot more than someone else. Because we all do need to take time for ourselves and to get creative and zone out. Everyone gets stress in their life."
So they are going to let a computer pick a winner at random.
But they will also contact those nominees whose stories really touched them and offer them a chance to try pottery out.
"It's nice knowing everyone cares so much about each other. Just because the computer didn't chose you, we still want to do something special."
Nominations can be made at www.AmaranthStoneware.com/Pages/GetSomeoneMuddy.
Amaranth Stoneware had its origins about 30 years ago, explained Kembel. The name refers to a resilient, durable plant.
A couple had started the business in their garage, making mostly stoneware pieces for gardens.
Jo-Anne Warren was hired as a manager and eventually bought out the business. Now, after operating out of several different locations, she and her husband Gerald run it out of a building at 745 Development Dr.
"It's a crazy little operation happening in Kingston," said Kembel. There are currently seven potters on staff.
The pieces they create, ranging from funny sayings as wall hangings to dog bowls and landscape art, are sold around the world.
It is their first site where the public is also invited in and it has turned into a pottery resource centre, said Kembel.
Interested people can drop in to see how things are done, buy supplies or materials or have a question or two answered. They can bring in their own work to be fired or learn how to set up their own kiln.
There are also eight potters' wheels for the classes they hold. The skill levels range from people who have dabbled in the craft for years to those who haven't tried it since high school.
There are retired seniors, stay-at-home moms looking for a break from the kids, university graduates seeking something different.
Kembel had tried metalwork while in university but joked she finds pottery "not as dangerous."
"With metalwork, you can 't just zone out. You might hurt yourself," she said.
"I have always liked being a bit creative."
Pottery lets you see how a slight movement can change the shape of what you are working on, letting you create something new.
"You always can make something with pottery. It might not be a classically beautiful vase but you are always able to make something creative," she said.
"With pottery and clay it is a little bit more welcoming for all skill levels. Because all you have to do is be willing to get a little bit muddy."
Pottery seems to be more popular in the Kingston area lately, Kembel said. As well as Amaranth, there is also the Kingston Potters' Guild and the CFB Kingston pottery club.
That popularity took a real jump thanks to the movie Ghost in which Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze combined for that "iconic" scene at a potter's wheel, she said.
"It's pretty great whenever we do have couples sign up for a pottery class together. I can always tell they want that romance that Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze had."
I’m sure we all know the saying “You never know until you try”. That’s why you should go out there, pick a medium you’ve never touched and explore the knowledge our local Kingston artisans have to offer.
Kingston is rich in creative spirit. Our community works together to bring amazing events to our front step and we’re abundant with galleries supplying inspiration! Kingston is a city with a variety of festivals and promenades to bring us together and connect. With such a culturally rich community it’s no doubt that you’ll find heaps of amazing classes to learn, explore and play with a new medium. No pressure to go invest money in a material you don’t yet know how to use. Many artists and individuals have opened their workshops and studios to the public to come and get creative.
To think you can mould glass by blowing into a tube!
Kingston Glass Studio & Gallery not only promotes their own work, but also an abundance of work by other artists who are skilled in many mediums. Here you can poke, prod, tweeze, turn and blow a beautiful new piece to take home and admire. Located downtown on Queen Street near the corner of King, the teachers at Kingston Glass Studio & Gallery are impactful, tactful and resourceful, making your foray into the world of glass blowing a welcoming one. They invite any beginner above the age of 16 to get creative in their studio – all materials are provided and there’s nothing like having such a solid transparent work done by your own newly expanded creative mind.
Kingston Glass Studio & Gallery
kgsgkingston@gmail.com
613.547.9149
Julie Davidson Smith is a creative force in the Kingston community who creates workshops and classes open to everyone.
Knowing we’ve all made a mud pie and have drawn outside the lines with crayons, Smith works to inform and inspire creative growth, supplying visitors with the skills, confidence and knowledge that they need to continue their experience with encaustics at home. Smith has opened up her life to the world with a video diary on her website, and by opening up her studio to anyone and everyone who wants to get creative and have some fun.
Julie Davidson Smith
juliedavidsonsmith@gmail.com
613.531.8901
Amaranth Stoneware is a quirky pottery studio in the west-end that has been serving Kingston for over 25 years. Not only will you find their gorgeous pieces throughout the community, they can be found all throughout North America as well.
Now in a studio space open to the public, throwing classes have been an excellent resource for beginner and intermediate potters alike. With everything included and a small class size, you’re bound to learn some new techniques, meet some new friends and create stunning pieces you’ve always wanted to try your hand at making.
Amaranth Stoneware
clay@amaranthstoneware.com
613.541.1156
When learning a new skill like knitting, sometimes a hands-on approach is best. When YouTube videos have lost their lustre and you crave some interaction, consider checking out KnitTraders. Not only does KnitTraders carry an extensive collection of yarn, tools, and patterns for knitting and crocheting, they also offer classes and workshops to help beginners to experts take their crafting to the next level. Their friendly and experienced staff and instructors will ensure that your projects are a success!
Knit Traders
shop@knittraders.com
613.384.3951
Adorn yourself with your own work. With a group of artists like the members of the Lapidary and Mineral Club, you’re bound to learn lots and become engaged.The Kingston Lapidary and Mineral Club provides a positive environment for local rockhounds, lapidary enthusiasts and silversmiths. Members gather to develop their interests, share information and ideas, and socialize with others interested in the earth sciences. The Club is a very active one; in addition to diverse monthly meetings, weekly lapidary instruction and frequent silversmithing courses are provided in our workshop. Courses are either for beginners or those looking to grow and focus on a particular skill. Their new home at the Tett Centre makes for a creative feed while creating.
Kingston Lapidary & Mineral Club
swatts_3@sympatico.ca
613.546.5973
These days our society is becoming more conscious of our enviro-footprint and health.
Caring more for not what’s just put in our bodies, but what is ingested by our furry or feathered friends domestic or wild. A new worry on everyone’s plate isn’t just what chemicals may be in the food, but what chemicals can bypass through the dinnerware you use.
BPA stands for Bisphenol A, an epoxy resin that is found in plastics and coatings of our take-away containers, plates, or even metal coffee cups. A worry because it seeps through and contaminates food. Even the process of recycling plastic doesn’t eliminate BPA. Even though you’re doing well for the environment when buying recycled plastic dishware, you may be harming yours and your pet’s body and brain.
There are a few steps you can take to avoid BPA in not only your own food, but in your pets as well even to help the birds and bees outside your home keep a healthy body and mind. Even the plastic birdfeeder you have hanging out on your oak tree may be damaging your favourite Blue jay or Robin. The tray you put chicken in for Mittens or Duke may be seeping BPA and being ingested.
We can really just recommend searching for BPA free products. This can include stainless steel (but make sure there isn’t any kind of coating) and stoneware. That’s right our own Bird Feeders, Wolf Bowls, Lady-Bug Castles to Bee Feeders and Toad Homes are BPA free. Since their made from clay our feeders and critter shelters are made from the earth we all walk on. Safe for every mouth, no matter the size.