Classes
Introduction to Pottery 5 Week Intensive Courses:
- Level One – Make
- Level Two – Decorate
Potter’s Wheel Master Class:
- 16 Week Master Class to learn Throwing on the Potter’s Wheel
- Fast Track Your Skills
- Master Potter Instructor
Open Studio Classes:
- Develop Your Own Ideas
- Advanced Techniques Demonstrated
- Teacher Support
- Memberships Available
Introduction to Pottery
The best way to start your pottery journey is with a series of focussed mini courses to show you all the basics and introduce you to many clay possibilities, while in a small group!
You can join for one course or both courses before moving into Open Studio Classes.
Classes are held in 5 week blocks mainly within QLD school terms.
These classes are structured to give you a good basic understanding of the major techniques involved in making stuff with clay and the basics of designing and decorating your work! You can enquire by using the form below, or go to the Schedule page to get started in the next Introduction to Pottery course.
Level One – Make
- Types of Clay
- Plates and Platters
- Pinch Pots
- Slab Building
- Coil Building
- Slip Casting
- Underglazes
- Intro to Glazing
- Getting a Professional Finish
Level Two – Decorate
- Intro to Glaze Technology
- Coloured Clay
- Sgraffito
- Nerikome
- Piercing and Carving
- Intro to Sculptoral Work
- Washi and Other Decorative Techniques
- Designing Projects
- Complex Slab Building
Please indicate your interest for these classes using the form:
Potter’s Wheel Masterclass
This 16 week Potter’s Wheel Masterclass is the one course where you can learn professional level skills on the potter’s wheel.
“Throwing” on the potter’s wheel is an artisan skill normally built up over years. Lynda Lehmann will teach you the basics over a 16 week course. By the end you should be able to throw practically anything you choose, and be able to throw to “spec” – predetermined finished product measurements! Just like a pro!
Throwing is a fine motor skill that takes time to build up. Until advised otherwise, your enrolment in this course INCLUDES a Firebird Studios compact Potters Wheel and a bag of clay to take home and KEEP! Yes, that’s right, to keep! Practice is VITAL to your improvement as a thrower. We want our students to succeed, so the only logical choice for us is to give you a wheel to practice on!
Stage One
- Clay preparation
- Centring
- Opening
- Pulling
- Bowls and Cylinders
Stage Two
- Shaping
- Plates and larger bowls
- More clay – up to 1.5kg
Stage Three
- Making the same thing twice
- Sets of bowls
- Set of cups
- Up to 2kg clay
Stage Four
- Bottles
- Lidded Containers
- Teapots
- Joining multi piece work
Please indicate your interest for these classes using the form:
Open Studio Classes
Open Studio Classes are suitable for Intermediate to Advanced pottery students.
If you have never done any pottery, or it’s been a while – get started in our “Introduction to Pottery” intensive courses, above. If you have done the Introduction to Pottery courses, or you have some previous experience, you can join the Firebird Studios Open Studio Classes.
In these classes students work in the direction they are most interested in – all skills will build up as you work on your own projects! Advanced techniques will be demonstrated from time to time. The teacher is on hand to help perfect your techniques and guide you in the methods used to create your project. Get creative and start exploring all the possibilities in clay!
Develop a Range
- Dinner ware
- Other table ware
- Gift ware
- Ornaments
- Jewellery
- Keep cups
- Unified forms and colours
Master the Wheel
- Open Studio Class is perfect for practice
- Practice and more practice
- Key points and hints
- Develop your forms
Mould Making
- Simple drop out moulds
- Simple two part moulds
- Plugs
- Techniques
- Potter’s plaster
Decoration Techniques
- Underglazes
- Engobes
- Slip and glaze trail
- Glaze combinations
- Advanced glaze techniques
- Decals, lustres and metals
Please indicate your interest for Open Studio Classes using this form:
Made by Students
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Are Classes?
Introduction to Pottery Intensive Course – $250 for the Level One and $280 for the Level Two Introduction to Pottery Classes (all inclusive of clay, firings plus some gifts)
Potter’s Wheel Masterclass – 16 week course – $900 (fully inclusive), or $1400 including a Firebird Studios Compact Potters Wheel to take home!
Open Studio Classes – $50 per session casual, $200 for a 5 session pass, $300 for a 10 session pass. Members – $150/month unlimited sessions (plus other member benefits) (Membership level coming soon)
When Are Open Studio Classes Held?
Firebird Studios is open on the following days/times:
Monday – 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm, 6 pm – 9 pm.
Tuesday – CLOSED
Wednesday – 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, 6 pm – 9 pm.
Thursday -9:30 am – 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm, 6 pm – 9 pm.
Friday – 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Saturday 9 am – 12 noon
Sunday – CLOSED
Open Studio Class students may book into a permanent day/time.
Otherwise, all session booking must be through the online bookings found on the Schedule page.
Where Is Firebird Studios Located?
Firebird Studios is located at Unit 4 / 6 Ramly Drive, Burleigh Heads.
The studio is the rear left unit, entry is via the little pergola and garden! There are 8 car parks available, plus on street parking.
What Is Included - What Do I Need To Bring?
Firebird Studios has clay, colourants and glazes, firing, a few tools and more.
Introduction to Pottery Courses – everything is provided and included.
Potter’s Wheel Masterclass – everything is provided and included.
Open Studio Classes – clay, colourants and some tools are provided – you can buy your own clay from Firebird Studios, and you should collect and build out your own tools set. Tools are available for purchase from Firebird Studios.
Firing Costs
Firebird Studios Firing Costs
Many courses and workshops are fully inclusive of clay, colourings, glazes and two firings.
When firing is not included:
NB – All firing must be paid for even if the work failed, you don’t like it or don’t want it!
Open Studio Class Students:
Using Firebird Studios clay, colourants and glazes (all clay except porcelain) – $10/kg finished work ($4/kg bisque, $6/kg glaze)
Using your own clay, colourants and glazes (all clay) – $7/kg finished work ($3/kg bisque, $4/kg glaze)
Firebird Studio Members:
Using Firebird Studios clay, colourants and glazes (all clay except porcelain) – $8/kg finished work ($3/kg bisque, $5/kg glaze)
Using your own clay, colourants and glazes (all clay) – $6/kg finished work ($2.50/kg bisque, $3.50/kg glaze)
Full kiln hire:
$100 +GST bisque
$110 +GST cone 6 glaze
$120 +GST cone 8+ glaze
How Can I Enrol?
Enrolment for all classes and courses is online through the Schedule page – each course/class will show the number of places still available.
You may also save a place by emailing Lynda on info@firebirdstudios.com.au
Regular Open Studio Class students can reserve their place in a class – non attendance for four weeks will result in losing the reservation.
How Can I Pay?
Card or PayPal online
Card or cash in person
What Will I Be Making?
In courses and masterclasses you will make the curriculum pieces, however you can most definitely add your own flair and character!
In Open Studio Classes, the direction you take with your work is up to you. You should have sufficient skills and knowledge to work mostly on your own. One or two teachers and assistants are usually on hand to help you.
Research ideas on Pinterest. Then the teacher can guide you along to create your ideas! Discussions on surface treatment, colour options and glazing options form part of the discovery.
Firebird Studios also runs a lot of workshops to explore more advanced ideas like mould making, porcelain jewellery and raku firing, etc. Avail yourself of these to learn even more!
Enquiry Form
From Our Students
I have learnt more in three lessons from Lynda than I learnt in three years at another class! I call her “Pearl” – always got a pearl of wisdom to make my work better!
As a professional artist looking to expand into clay, I respect the skills and knowledge I am finding at Firebird Studios.
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