JumpDay: Earthworks Ceramic Studios
For the latest JumpDay – the team visited Earthworks Ceramic Studios in Brixton to get creative with clay.
Earthworks is run by the very lovely Juliet and Josh – who were eagerly standing by to guide everyone through a 3 hour workshop.
Juliet at Earthworks:
“We offer open access memberships that grant individuals of all skill levels the opportunity to use our facilities, equipment, and resources to explore the world of ceramics. Our mission is to inspire, educate, and empower individuals to express themselves. We are a dynamic and vibrant community of beginners, makers and artists who come together to learn, share, and develop their ceramic experience in a collaborative environment.”
Jump’s class included an introduction to clay-throwing on a spinning wheel – which was much better than the spinning wheel of doom on a Mac!
We also got to design and build our own Kurinuki box – which are traditional Japanese boxes carved out of one piece of clay. Kurinuki translates as ‘to hollow’.
Karon Hall:
“I’m always excited by JumpDays as we never know what to expect. Throwing clay was a lot cleaner than I expected as we set about the challenge of crafting a bowl using the potter’s wheel. It’s much harder than it looks!
The second part of the session involved hand carving a pot with a different type of clay. Having an obsession with French Bulldogs inspired me to mould a Frenchie, although it could also pass as a rabbit (ha ha).
I loved the experience and did not want to stop.”
Russell Mann:
“Spending my career creating images virtually on a screen it was great to literally get your hands dirty and make something physical with your hands. The tuition was so comprehensive that I think every single one of us managed to create something on the potter’s wheel even though it was the first time for all of us.”
Kate Norley:
“I love making things with my hands, from tapestries to mosaics, I always have a project on the go. So I was very excited to be doing clay throwing for our latest JumpDay, as it’s something I’ve never done. Learning how to make a bowl on a pottery wheel was really fascinating and a completely different experience from sculpting a pot out of clay. The day has left me wanting more and I’ve already researched a local course!”
Russell Hilliard:
“I found the clay modelling particularly therapeutic. It was a lovely chilled session and a fun way to hang out with the team as we chatted while carving out our Kurinuki boxes. A great range of ideas too. Loved AA’s Deathstar!”
At the end of the session you get to choose what colour glaze you would like your work finished in. The pieces are all left in the capable hands of Josh and Juliet to fire in their ovens and we collect them in a few weeks. It will be fascinating to see how they turn out.
Big thanks to Juliet and Josh for being such great teachers. We highly recommend you give them a visit.
Afterwards, we retired to the nearby pub The Duke of Edinburgh for a few pints and to discuss our new found pottery skills (or lack of). We also devoured some absolutely delicious burgers from their kitchen residents – Bando Belly.
Bando Belly initially opened as a street food restaurant and now resides in the huge garden at The Duke. They serve up amazing chicken burgers such as the Hot Chick and Honey Butt and their delicious Cali Burger also has the vegetarians covered too. The staff at The Duke and Bando are so friendly – big thanks to them for a lovely evening. Go and check them out.
Previous JumpDays have included a trip to Kew Gardens, a Calligraphy workshop and Life Drawing.
