Classes
Introduction to Pottery 10 Week Intensive Course:
- Stage One – Make
- Stage Two – Decorate
- Learn all the Basic Skills required to develop your own work
Potter’s Wheel Master Class:
- 10 Week Master Class to learn Advanced Skills
- 4 Week Fast Track Course to learn the Basics
- Master Potter Instructor
Open Studio Classes:
- Advanced Techniques Demonstrated
- Develop Your Own Ideas
- Teacher Support
- Memberships Available
Introduction to Pottery – Make & Decorate
The best way to start your pottery journey is with our amazing Introduction to Pottery course. Between Stage One – Make, and Stage Two – Decorate, we introduce you all of the basic making and decorating techniques and you will learn many clay possibilities, while in a small group!
This course is the perfect introduction to pottery skills before joining Open Studio Classes.
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!
Go directly to the Introduction to Pottery information page…..
Stage One – Make
- Types of Clay
- Plates and Platters
- Pinch Pots
- Slab Building
- Coil Building
- Slip Casting
- Underglazes
- Intro to Glazing
- Getting a Professional Finish
Stage 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
The 10 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 10 week course. By the end you will have the concepts and knowledge to throw practically anything you choose, and understand how to throw to “spec” – predetermined finished product measurements! Just like a pro! It will just take practice!
Throwing is a fine motor skill that takes time to build up. We give you a 10 class pass for Open Studio (valued at $300) included in your course fees so you can come in and practice in a non-throwing course Open Studio time!
Our 4 Week Introduction to Throwing Course is a great taster to the basics of throwing. The skills learned and demonstrated will set you up for long term self discovery of your throwing technique!
Stage One
- Clay preparation
- Centring
- Opening
- Pulling
- Bowls and Cylinders
Stage Two
- Controlling shape
- Plates and larger bowls – throwing on a bat
- More clay – up to 1.5kg
Stage Three
- Making the same thing over and over again
- Sets of bowls
- Set of cups
- Up to 2kg clay
Stage Four
- Bottles
- Lidded Containers
- Teapots
- Joining multi piece work
- Throwing to spec.
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 – $650 for 10 Weeks – Includes a 10 Class Pass for Open Studio (valued at $300) and all of your materials and firings.
Potter’s Wheel Masterclass – 10 week course – $650 for 10 Weeks – Includes a 10 Class Pass for Open Studio (valued at $300) and all of your materials and firings.
Potter’s Wheel Introduction 4 Week Course – $280 for 4 Weeks – Includes a 5 Class Pass for Open Studio (valued at $200) and all of your materials and firings.
Open Studio Classes – $50 per session casual, $200 for a 5 class pass, $300 for a 10 class 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 and 6 pm – 9 pm.
Tuesday – 9:30 am – 12:30 pm and 6 pm – 9 pm.
Wednesday – 9:30 am – 12:30 pm and 6 pm – 9 pm.
Thursday -9:30 am – 12:30 pm and 6 pm – 9 pm.
Friday – 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Saturday 9 am – 12 noon
Sunday – CLOSED
Open Studio Class students normally come at the same day/time each week. If you plan to attend more often then the Monthly Membership Package is ideal. Please book your classes via email or phone and pay for your passes in person. Thank you.
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 and Courses – 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. Materials are NOT included in your Class Pass Fees – as everyone is building and making entirely different things the fairest way is to charge you $10/kg of finished work when you take your work home! These fees change if you use your own clay, or are on Monthly Membership level.
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 and Keane’s Black clay) – $10/kg finished work ($4/kg bisque, $6/kg glaze)
Using your own clay, colourants and glazes (all clay – MUST be mid-fire 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 and Keane’s Black clay) – $7/kg finished work ($3/kg bisque, $4/kg glaze)
Using your own clay, colourants and glazes (all clay) – $5/kg finished work ($2/kg bisque, $3/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.
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Sign up for our newsletter to stay in touch regarding classes, workshops, exhibitions, market days, open days and more. Our newsletter also has tips and hints for your pottery skills development!