Classes & Courses for 2020
Introduction to Pottery – Level 1, Level 2 & Level 3
Potter’s Wheel Master Class
Glaze Chemistry 101
Mould Making 101
Slip Casting – Level 1 and Level 2
Design, Develop & Make a Dinner Set
Getting Online – Etsy, Shopify, WooCommerce & Social Media
Develop Your Range & Market It
Open Studio Classes
Introduction to Pottery – Make, Decorate & Develop
The best way to start your pottery journey is with our amazing Introduction to Pottery course. Between Stage One – Make, Stage Two – Decorate, and Stage 3 – Develop, we introduce you all of the basic hand building and decorating techniques and then take you by the hand as you develop those skills. Small group and focused teaching
This course is the perfect introduction to pottery skills before joining Open Studio Classes.
Go directly to the Introduction to Pottery information page…..
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!
Glaze Chemistry 101
Glaze chemistry is a very complex field! In this 10 week course we break down complex glaze chemistry into more easily understood blocks. We will try to turn the light on in the dark and mysterious world of glazes!
What you will gain from this course is the ability to take any glaze recipe, have a basic understanding of what the ingredients do, be able to manipulate the glaze with some level of expectation of results, and finally feel as though you are in control of all stages of your work. You will also have knowledge and skills to identify and correct glaze faults.
Design & Make A Dinner Set
Design and Make your own Dinner Set is a professional level course. We work through the design brief, researching and creating a mood board.We then consider the clay, glaze formulations, textures and patterns required to create your work. Any moulds, textures, or manufacturing props that are required are gathered or made.
The dinner set will include a four person setting with dinner plate, side plate, dessert bowl, soup bowl and cup and saucer, A serving platter, sushi set, coffee or tea pot, sugar or honey pot, creamer or gravy boat will also be made. Extra considerations might include a casserole dish, and matching table decoration items such as decorative spoons, candle holders and decorations.
This 10 week course will guide you to discovering every aspect of designing ceramics for commission and delivering mood boards, proposals, and samples!
Go directly to the course page….
Mould Making and Slip Casting
Slip casting is a very exciting field of ceramics. It is even more interesting when you learn how to make your own moulds, master basic slip casting and learn more adventurous techniques such as altering the cast form!
Mould Making 101 – 5 Week Intensive Course – Create plugs for a simple drop out mould and a basic two part mould and then mould them.
Slip Casting 101 – 5 Week Intensive Course – Learn the basics of slip casting – making slip casting clay, care of the moulds, cleaning up the work, firing and glazing
Slip Casting 102 – 5 Week Intensive Course – Extend your casting skills – altering the form, more advanced decorative techniques, joining moulded parts and more!
Each course is offered as a stand alone unit, however it would be beneficial to take the three courses together!
Go to the course page…..
Selling Your Work Online
A major aim of Firebird Studios is to create competent potters who sell their work and artists who exhibit.
Options for selling your work are through commissioned work, through shops and cafes, markets, galleries and online.
This is an in depth 10 week course that explores all options, but really focuses on the online aspect.
We will develop our range of connected and complimentary work, brand ourselves, open or enhance social media sites and discover how to best utilize those sites.
Now we are ready to open out Etsy store and explore the pros and cons of Shopify vs WooCommerce. Additionally we will look at other less obvious but very important selling avenues such as Ebay and Amazon!
Classes will be conducted at Firebird Studios – you will need a laptop computer and phone. We will be doing a little clay work and a lot of practical work building your social media and online shops.
Go directly to the course page….
Developing Your Range
In this 5 Week Intensive Course we will delve into the design elements that make a concise and coherent range or body of work. Whether you are looking to sell online or in person at markets the look and feel of your offering is very important.
What do you love to make? Lets explore fully what that passion can be refined into. Do you have more than one look and feel? Why not consider two or several brands? Who is going to buy your work? This question can modify what and how you make it – no point making giant red widgets when everyone is looking for the exact same thing but in a tiny blue!!
We will then cover photography of your work, food photography to enhance your dinner ware, presentation of packaging (if any), professional finishes to your work, and business considerations as you develop.
Go directly to the course page….
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!
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.
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