I'm letting the secret out... there is a wonderful clay studio in Leeds, AL called Cahaba Clayworks owned and operated by master craftsman, Tena Payne and Larry Allen, along with Earthborn Pottery where you can purchase their wonderful works of pottery art.
Tena Payne
Larry Allen
Yes, this fine group of Alabama bloggers had a fun filled 4 hours of playing in the mud, getting together with old friends and making new ones. For me, most were all new and it was a pleasure to have met them.
MeRachel from Grasping for Objectivity and Alabama Bloggers
Here is Tena at the potters wheel, along with her sister in-law, Sara, who was our photographer for this event, thanks Sara. The clay comes in large pieces that they cut into smaller blocks that are easier to work with.
Tena gave us a lot of information on how we get clay, a bit of history and the steps you take for ALL pieces on the wheel. You start out taking the clay in your hands and forming a ball. Put it on the wheel with a little water to start coning up. At this point I had visions of my clay flying all over the place that I apologized before hand to the gals on either side of me.... you know...just in case. For those of you with that same thought....you can adjust how fast the wheel goes.
And then taking it down; but not having your hands the right way can make your cone lean such as Tena is showing here. You can do this several times before you take your thumbs to start your opening. Want to know more? Keep on reading...
Tena and Larry helped each group of us that went on the wheel (half went on the wheel and half did the hand formed) so we would get the feel of the pressure applied and how to hold our hands and fingers.
Here is Rachel our event planner with her piece, thanks Rachel and Tena happens to be her aunt. Don't you think that Rachel's piece has character? Love it.
Tena showing us how to go about making pieces of pottery by using our hands; there are several things you can use to make imprints in the clay for a design and we are shown all the different things they have (you can also bring your own items to use).
Some pieces that are ready for firing and glazing that Cahaba Clayworks does for places such as The Bellagio resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Hot & Hot Fish Club in B'ham and Isla's Kitchen at Treasure Island just to name a few.
Some of the girls hand formed pottery.
Here is Larry, the master of the clay helping me to "cone up"...
And my finished piece. I thought I would be intimidated using the potter's wheel but I LOVED it. Larry and Tena are wonderful teachers and extremely helpful. They won't let you leave without making something, a bowl, plate and depending how good you are, maybe even a pitcher.
Rhoda and Trina with some of their pieces. I wanted to have a base like Rhoda's but I just couldn't make it happen, guess I'll have to go back... oh twist my arm.
Look at these spectacular earth tones of some of the beautiful pottery made at Clayworks. This ain't your kids mud pies...
Wenday from Long Days, Short Years
Jill from Jill's Real Life
Jamie from Jamie's Rabbits
Rhoda from Southern Hospitality
Leigh from Tales of Bloggeritaville
Tammy from Greek GRITS
Beth from Unskinny Boppy
Nanci from Birmingham Mom Online
Trina from XOXO, Trina
Jessica from Thoughts of A Bama Belle
Here is Tena at the potters wheel, along with her sister in-law, Sara, who was our photographer for this event, thanks Sara. The clay comes in large pieces that they cut into smaller blocks that are easier to work with. 
Tena gave us a lot of information on how we get clay, a bit of history and the steps you take for ALL pieces on the wheel. You start out taking the clay in your hands and forming a ball. Put it on the wheel with a little water to start coning up. At this point I had visions of my clay flying all over the place that I apologized before hand to the gals on either side of me.... you know...just in case. For those of you with that same thought....you can adjust how fast the wheel goes. 
Coned up
And then taking it down; but not having your hands the right way can make your cone lean such as Tena is showing here. You can do this several times before you take your thumbs to start your opening. Want to know more? Keep on reading...
Tena and Larry helped each group of us that went on the wheel (half went on the wheel and half did the hand formed) so we would get the feel of the pressure applied and how to hold our hands and fingers.
Here is Rachel our event planner with her piece, thanks Rachel and Tena happens to be her aunt. Don't you think that Rachel's piece has character? Love it.
Tena showing us how to go about making pieces of pottery by using our hands; there are several things you can use to make imprints in the clay for a design and we are shown all the different things they have (you can also bring your own items to use).
Some pieces that are ready for firing and glazing that Cahaba Clayworks does for places such as The Bellagio resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Hot & Hot Fish Club in B'ham and Isla's Kitchen at Treasure Island just to name a few.
Some of their finished pieces.
Some of the girls hand formed pottery.
Here is Larry, the master of the clay helping me to "cone up"...
And my finished piece. I thought I would be intimidated using the potter's wheel but I LOVED it. Larry and Tena are wonderful teachers and extremely helpful. They won't let you leave without making something, a bowl, plate and depending how good you are, maybe even a pitcher.
Rhoda and Trina with some of their pieces. I wanted to have a base like Rhoda's but I just couldn't make it happen, guess I'll have to go back... oh twist my arm. 
Look at these spectacular earth tones of some of the beautiful pottery made at Clayworks. This ain't your kids mud pies...Want to have an awesome time with friends or just on your own...Cahaba Clayworks offers individual and group classes.
Classes:
Regular classes (morning, day, and evening) meet once a week for 6 weeks and the cost is $150 with a material fee of $25 for clay, glazes, and firing costs.
Groups:
Clay and instruction are provided and the cost is $35.00 per person. You can bring your own wine or beer and you will leave having a piece ready for firing to pick up in about 2 weeks.
Contact:
Tena Payne or Larry Allen
(205) 702-4180
7575 Parkway Dr.
Leeds, AL 35094
Go here to Earthborn Pottery for more information on purchasing pottery pieces and http://www.cahabaclayworks.com/ for information on classes or events.
Please come back next week for my first ever give away... I am so excited.
3 comments:
That looks like such fun!! Great pics! The closest thing I have ever done to that is taking my daughter to a paint-your-own-pottery place. :)
Looks like you had fun. Maybe you have found a good new hobby? Wish that the photos were a little bigger to see.
Why to go Cheri - I am thrilled - you have made some new friends - went to a new place - and it looked like so much fun and very interesting.
I love to do things like that - especially with friends.
I'm glad for you.
sandie
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