25 Reasons To Take a Pottery Class

Posted on July 06, 2015

Just to confirm those thoughts of "maybe I should take a pottery class" or to help you talk your friend into signing up.

1) Mud Makes you Mellow.

2) It's a weekly mud bath for your skin.

3) You can make a new favourite coffee mug.

4) You meet new friends.

5) Exercise your creativity, because body & mind need to work together.

6) You have an excuse for the dirt under your fingernails.

7) Throw mud indoors and not get in trouble

8) Mud makes you happy. Believe us.

9) You have fun molding with your hands.

10) You can get away from the kids for the night.

11) It's a reason to eat dinner out.

12) Surprise yourself with what you can accomplish!

13) Because the Pottery Teacher is easy on the eyes & nice to listen to.

14) Because You're jealous of your kids' muddy clothes.

15) Because you're looking for something to do with your mom.

16) Pottery Alleviates anxiety.

17) Mud is a great way to cool down.

18) Be proud of something you made with your hands.

19) Gives you a reason to wear crummy clothes, but still go out and meet people.

20) Excellent reason to wear sweat pants.

21) And that ex-boyfriends over-sized shirt with the sweet graphic.

22) You feel darn accomplished after.

23) To have a new hobby.

24) So you can laugh with like minded people.

25) Because you want to. And you should do what you want sometimes.

We have Pottery Classes Year Round and love having all skill levels in the studio. You'll be surprised by what you can make! Check out all of our current class options here.

Continue reading →

Gardening Tips For Those With a Black Thumb

Posted on June 29, 2015

We know, it's not always easy keeping a garden lush, green and healthy. Pesky pests and weeds can be damaging and for some of us, so are our own hands.

Amaranth is made up of a 50/50 split of those who can grow a sunflower and veggies to those of us who have a hard time keeping a cactus going.

If you're like the Black Thumbed Potters of Amaranth, here are our tips to help you grow a darn good-looking garden one day.

1) Ask Plenty of Questions.

To anyone. Hobby Gardeners, Greenhouse Employees, landscapers, the 50% of Potters at Amaranth who successfully keep their gardens... Pick their brain! Ask anything and everything you can think of. Chances are they're going to love talking about it!

2) If they say it works...Go with it!

If it's not broken don't fix it. If a neighbor with a mighty fine garden said they used a certain fertilizer and soil mix. Chances are you copying that will bring successes to your garden too! Copying is a form of admiration, so don't feel like their garden soil concoction is limited to only them if they were willing to share the recipe with you.

3) Get creative.

Sometimes it will be totally worth putting dryer sheets in your garden, just to see if it helps in any way.

Get crafty and be daring. After all if it mucks up a garden bed there's always next spring to try again!

4) If all fails. Just enjoy the wild flowers.

There will be some way that you can enjoy a garden. Even if it means you sit back and let the weeds take over. At least at that point you can conserve water and drink some margaritas.

Continue reading →

The Where to's of getting Creative in Kingston

Posted on May 28, 2015

Originally Posted on KingstonLobby.com

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.

Glass Blowing at Kingston Glass Studio & Gallery

01_glass

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

Encaustic Workshops with Julie Davidson Smith

01_encaustic

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

Pottery Classes at Amaranth Stoneware

01_pottery

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

Knitting at KnitTraders

01_knitting

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

Silversmithing with Kingston Lapidary and Mineral Club

01_silver

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

Continue reading →

BPA Blunder

Posted on April 28, 2015

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.

Continue reading →