Salish Sea Ceramic Studio: The Magic and The Mess

My instructor, Payten, asked if I had any ceramics experience, and other than buying ceramics for my home, I've taught elementary students how to make pinch pots. Pinch pots are entirely different than the wheel-throwing class I signed up for.

My intro to wheel throwing class started with a tour of the Salish Sea Ceramic Studio, which is gorgeous, with floor-to-ceiling windows and plants all around. I can't imagine there is a more beautiful space to make art in. There is clay covering almost every surface, but art is messy sometimes. Payten explained the occasional metal banging against metal sound was their neighbor. Next, I ogled the work waiting to be dried in the kiln and the finished pieces for sale.

Then we picked out the needed supplies and went to a table that I can't remember the name for. I don't have notes because I either had supplies in my hands or they were covered with clay, so bear with me on the details. Payten had already cut our clay pieces for us, and we went through a process I can't remember the name for - something about the shape of a ram's horns and nose. I do know the process was to get all the air out of the clay. It took some muscle and body weight, but I got my clay to an acceptable point.

See the ram’s horns and nose? // Linda War Bonnet

Next, Payten demonstrated the first half of the process of centering a piece. First, you need to stick and seal the clay to the wheel. I'm pretty sure it wasn't called stick and seal, but no notes. Then she build it up and smashed it down. Built it up and smashed it down again. Then it was my turn.

“Payten then showed me how to make a cylinder. It was magical. ”

I picked a wheel next to hers so she'd be nearby for all my questions. The wheel was straightforward to use. I sat close to it, got the clay situated with the stick and seal, braced my left arm against my leg as instructed and then started the wheel. After my first smash down went awry, I had to stick and seal again. And so it went.

Payten making the magic happen // Linda War Bonnet

Payten then showed me how to make a cylinder. It was magical. And then I gave it a shot. I had more water and clay everywhere than she did. And it is as fun as it looks. And pretty quickly, I could "feel it." Nope not magic, but one spot getting too thin. Soon enough, my thumb when through the side. Long story short. I ended up with a wet lump of clay at the end of the lesson. And I'm okay with that.

I cleaned up, put everything away and then admired Payten's amazing commission she had just finished. She used recycled clay and made a bunch of vases. They were glazed white, and because the clay was recycled, it had dark specks showing through the glaze. I want to make something like that.

Payten’s final class project. She said she can make one in about 12 minutes // Linda War Bonnet

My experience at Salish Sea Ceramic Studio was fun, overwhelming, mesmerizing, challenging, disappointing and intriguing. I've come away with an even higher respect for the artists who made the pottery in my home.

It's obvious that there is a long learning process for making pottery. Salish Sea has a 10-week course, and that sounds about right for a learning curve. It's evident to me that you must practice to build the intuition required to shape the clay into your vision.

Look at this gorgeous studio // Linda War Bonnet

If anything about my experience gives you pause, like the mess or not having a completed project, take the intro class. Or maybe try a handbuilding class that doesn't involve clay spinning fast on a wheel.

I need to decide how badly I want to learn to make vases like Payten's. I love that ceramics is a hobby I could have without needing to leave the city. And I'd love to be able to hang out in that beautiful studio.

Salish Sea Ceramic Studio offers a variety of classes. In addition to intro to wheel throwing and handbuilding, they have private lessons, glazing classes, studio memberships.

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Salish Sea Ceramic Studio
1111 Hewitt Ave
Everett, WA 98201

Linda War Bonnet represents south Everett on the Live in Everett Team. When she isn’t working, she is running the Westmont-Holly Neighborhood Association. You might spot her walking her dog in the Holly neighborhood.