Workshops

Due to the catastrophic bush fires that burt us out in December 2019. We will not be able to hold any workshops in 2020/21. We hope to be re-built and back in business in late 2022. Sorry.

Well, we didn’t get it all built and ready in time. So now that it is summer, we will have to wait until mid 2023. (edit Dec 2022)

I will be teaching a tea pot making workshop at the Hazelhurst Regional Art Gallery in Sydney from 20th Jan to 24th Jan 2021.

Please contact Hazlehurst Gallery about this workshop directly. 02 85365738

One Day Wood-fired RAKU workshops for 2019. Fee $150

We will be offering one-day raku firings in July,

on the 6th and 7th of July.

the 13th and 14th of July.

and the 20th and 21st of July.

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Stoneware Wood firing Workshops for 2018. Fee $350

I’m a bit late putting these dates up this year as we are already almost fully booked for the winter, even without posting up any dates.

There will definitely be one Stoneware Wood firing on 26/27th May and this is already full with repeating students rolling over from last year.

Pack and fire, weekend of 26th/27th May, Unpack on Sunday 3rd June.  FULL

Pack and fire, weekend of 8th/9th Sept, Unpack on Sunday 16th Sept.  FULL

We may offer another Stoneware firing Workshop in September, but only on the basis that it may have to be cancelled, just as we had to do last year due to hot weather and early fire bans. So we might start here with the tentative offering of the weekend of 8th/9th of September for a Stoneware firing. If it fills we may offer another later date. All dependant of the weather and total fire bans.

One day Woodfired RAKU workshops. Fee $150

We will be having a day with the Port Hacking Potters Group on the 20th May. This is a re-scheduled firing from a day that had to be cancelled last year due to a total fire ban.

We will be offering other one-day raku firings on the

2nd June. FULL

28th July. FULL

15th Sept. FULL

and possibly others in the first weeks of October depending on the weather. I will post these possible dates up later in the year as our schedule becomes more resolved.

Notes – Reduced Stoneware Wood Firings.

$350 each. Limited to 10 participants.

You get one large pot or 10 small pots. (About the volume of a milk crate.)

We will direct the packing of the kiln and decide which pots go where. Every effort will be made to get an equal amount of work in the kiln from each participant. All pots will need to be bisque fired and glazed internally (if at all) with a stable stoneware glaze before arriving at the work shop. This is essential so as to be able to get the kiln packed and fired in one weekend.

WEEKEND STONEWARE WOODFIRE WORKSHOPS
The Fine Print
TIMETABLE OF EVENTS
It is expected that everyone will arrive by 10 am. on the Saturday for the packing of the kiln. On arrival pots are dropped off in the kiln shed and set out the trestle tables. Then there is time for the participants to set up their tent or camper. We can chat and have coffee during this time, once your camp is established.
Once all the pots are set out and touched up. We can start to plan out the packing with the help of 2 or 3 people. All the others can set up their tents in shifts, so that there is always someone helping to pack on a rotating basis. That way every one gets to help for a time and learn something and also gets their tent up before dark.
Hopefully, everyone should be set-up by 12.00 noon, we can all share a light lunch together from what we have all brought. Think about bringing food that is suitable for sharing. You will need to cater for Saturday lunch and dinner, then Sunday breakfast and lunch.
After lunch we will start to pack the kiln.
If you want to use glaze, all the pots will need to be pre-glazed. There won’t be enough time to be glazing pots and packing the kiln if we are to get it all done in a few hours. Any glaze used must be on the inside only. We can’t afford to have glazes running onto our kiln shelves.
It takes about 4 or 5 hours to pack the kiln, then brick-up and seal the door. We start firing as soon as the door is in. The firing takes between 15 and 18 hours. We usually finish the firing after lunch on Sunday afternoon.
We all come back together to unpack the kiln on the following Sunday morning from 10.00 am. It doesn’t take long and we are usually all finished and cleaned up by 1.00
How many pots will I get into the firing:
I really can’t say how many of each person’s pots we will be able to pack in the kiln.
I get about 100 of my bowls in, but my bowls are pretty small things that don’t demand a lot of space.
As long as your pots are as small as my bowls, then you might get 10 pots in the kiln, but if any one pot is bigger, it will exclude a lot of other pots.
I will be as fair in the packing as I can be. But, I will have the first and the last say as to what goes in and where. I know the kiln and how it works best. There are certain positions for kiln shelves and heights of work and props to get the best outcome for everyone. I will explain this as we go through the process on the day.
I like to start by spreading all the pots out on trestles so we can see what we have to work with, then we can pack as efficiently and as fairly as possible. Going on past firings here and others workshops that I have done. I have a sneaking suspicion that the pots will be all over the place in size and shape, such that some people will only get 5 or 6 pots in the kiln.
I will do my best to get a fair selection of everybody’s work into the kiln.
COOKING and FOOD:
We have plenty of rain water for drinking, cooking and washing up
We have quite a bit of cutlery here, but it is best if you bring your own everything, if you are particular, then everyone will be happy with what they have to eat with and off.
We have a domestic fridge/freezer in the pottery and single burner ring LPGas stove for camping.
As long as everyone is aware that they are responsible for their own food, there shouldn’t be any problems with dietary concerns.
CAMPING
The only accommodation that we can offer is camping. There are lots of places to pitch a tent in the orchards and lawns. There are several places where a camping trailer or camper van can be parked.
There is only one toilet, and that is up in the house.
Everyone is expected to do a part of the night shift at some point. We have a roster of 4 hour shifts to be manned in pairs over the night. I, or Janine, will be there for the whole time during the firing to supervise and make sure that the best outcome is obtained.
CLOTHING:
Everyone who wants to stoke the kiln, or be in the kiln shed near stacked wood and spitting sparks must have denim or heavy cotton jeans and a long sleeve cotton or, non-flammable, shirt, like a flannel work-wear shirt. One that can cover all of their arms. You will also need a pair of boots or very sturdy foot wear that covers all of the foot and is not flammable. No synthetics, like nylon puffer jackets or synthetic fleece jackets. A woollen jumper is very good for the over-night shift. Long, gauntlet style, leather welding gloves are the best protection for your hands and arms.
OH&S is very important. Sorry, but this is non-negotiable. No suitable clothing – no taking part in the process.
I can’t risk being sued.
WEATHER:
I think that seeing everything to do with the kiln and pottery is undercover, we should go ahead rain or shine. Only very heavy rain should stop us. Not because of the kiln, but because of the comfort in camping.
I will have the wood cut, split and stacked ready to go. The wadding made up and bagged, the kiln shelves and props washed and the cones supplied.
It is expected that everyone will help with the unpacking of the kiln and cleaning of the props and kiln shelves at the unpacking.
It can be hot during the day – or cold depending on the weather, but is usually cooler over night.
COST
The cost is $350 and payment must be made in full before the weekend. As soon as the numbers are confirmed. I will send you an email with our banking details.

More details of the workshop and how we run them are available on request. hotnsticky@ozemail.com.au

Notes – RAKU Wood Firings.

Cost $150. Limited to 10 participants. The one day raku workshops are run on weekends from 10 till 4pm. All work will need to be made from suitably grogged clay bodies and bisque fired prior to the workshop. We will provide all the glazes and oxides for decorating. Students will work in small groups, pairs, or individually to glaze, pack and fire their own small wood fired kiln. There will be multiple firings in each kiln throughout the day.

Plan to arrive at 9.30 to get unpacked and ready to start at 10.00
You can bring up to 6 pieces each. the pieces should be of average size. Somewhere around 100 mm to 200 mm. size. There is only just so much room in the kiln to get them all in, so if a lot of bigger size pieces turn up, then it will only be 4 pieces each. If all the pots are small, then we will get a lot more of them into the kiln.
We can guarantee to fire the first 4 pieces of average size. If there is room in the kiln and time left, we will fire more pieces. We don’t fire more pieces after 3.00 pm, as we need time to fire them up, unpack and reduce them down, so that we finish at 4.00 pm. We need to clean to site up before dark!
Yes, you need to bring your own food and preferred drinks. We will provide an urn for hot water along with tea bags and milk.
You should all come dressed appropriately in non-flammable clothes like jeans and long sleeved cotton shirt. Please avoid anything synthetic and fire prone. You will need to wear sturdy foot wear the is not synthetic, leather work boots are good.It could be cold in the afternoon, so please bring a woollen jumper. Not a nylon puffer jacket!
Safety first!

Raku ware is not particularly durable, and any low-fired glaze with a lot of copper in and on it is definitely not for food use. Therefore, it is recommended that participants bring non-functional work. It is also advisable to avoid slab built work with hard corners, as the thermal shock encountered by raku ware makes this style of construction vulnerable to cracking at the corner joints.

More details on these workshops and how we run them are available on request. hotnsticky@ozemail.com.au

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Wood firing Workshops for 2017 

We will be offering a few more wood-firing workshops in 2017, as they always seem to be popular and very well supported. I’m always pleased and surprised how fast the dates fill up.

Reduced Stoneware Woodfirings in the Bourry Box kiln, Cost $300

Pack and fire, weekend of July 8th and 9th.  Unpack on Sunday 16th July. FULL

Pack and fire, weekend of 30th Sept and Oct 1st.  Unpack on Sunday 8th. Oct. FULL

One day Woodfired RAKU workshops. Cost $100

One day for glazing, packing, firing and unpacking.

Sunday 25th June FULL

Sunday, July 2nd. FULL

Sunday, Aug 20th. FULL

Sunday, Aug 27th. FULL

Sunday 17th of Sept. FULL

Saturday, Sept 23rd. FULL 

Sunday, Sept 24th. FULL

Sunday, 7th Oct. FULL

I will be teaching a Master Class in porcelain throwing and turning techniques at the Hazelhurst Arts Centre, in January 16th to 19th. 2017.

Please contact Hazlehurst Arts Centre about this workshop directly.

02 85365738,   10 places only.   FULL

2016 Workshops

We will be offering a few wood-firing workshops in 2016.

These dates below are tentative as yet, as there are a lot of things coming up for us this year that are not within our control. So we have chosen these dates to allow those interested in attending a workshop to start planning. We are already fully booked up until the end of June. So our remaining wood firings will not be able to commence until July this year.

Sorry about the uncertainty, but some things are out of our control. Please email us if interested in taking part, at  <hotnsticky@ozemail.com.au> We may program other firings, if we can find suitable dates. See below for the fine print.

Reduced Stoneware Woodfirings in the Bourry Box kiln, Cost $300

Pack and fire, weekend of July 9-10.  Unpack on Sunday 17th July. FULL

Pack and fire, weekend of Oct 1st-2nd.  Unpack on Sunday 9th. Oct. FULL

One day Woodfired RAKU workshops. Cost $100

One day for glazing, packing, firing and unpacking.

Sunday, July 3rd. FULL

Saturday, Sept 25th. FULL

Sunday, 8th Oct. FULL

I will be teaching a Master Class in fine throwing and turning techniques at the Hazelhurst Arts Centre, in January 18th to 21st. 2016.

Please contact Hazlehurst Arts Centre about this workshop directly.

02 85365738    FULL

2015 dates. See below for details;

Reduced Stoneware Woodfirings in the Bourry Box kiln

Pack and fire, weekend of April 11-12.  Unpack on Sunday 19th April. FULL

Pack and fire, weekend of April 25-26.  Unpack on Sunday 3rd. May. FULL

Pack and fire, weekend of June 13th-14th.  Unpack on Sunday 21st June.  FULL

Pack and fire, weekend of June 27th/28th.  Unpack on Sunday 5th of July. FULL

Pack and fire, weekend of July 11th-12th.  Unpack on Sunday 19th July. FULL

One day Woodfired RAKU workshops.

One day for glazing, packing, firing and unpacking.

Sunday, May 17th. FULL

Sunday, May 24th. FULL

Sunday, May 31st. FULL

We may make another day available if there is enough interest.

Throwing Workshop – Hazelhurst Gallery, Gymea 19th to 22nd of Jan 2015

FULLY SUBSCRIBED

THE BEAUTIFUL BOWL – Elegant, balanced and light.

A Pottery Master Class

With Steve Harrison
Mon 19 to Thurs 22 January 2015
Studio 3, 10am – 4pm
Fee: $378 plus materials fee $33 (includes 2 bags of clay)
(Minimum 4, maximum 10)

Intermediate and advanced levels

Course outline:
This four day clay workshop will encourage throwing and turning a number of bowls in different forms. Emphasis will be placed on beautiful form and the interaction of rims and feet.

Turning using chucks will be encouraged to develop a sense of balance and lightness in the finished forms. The throwing of different chucks and clay pads will be demonstrated, as will the designing and making of specific turning tools.
You will be able to make your own turning tool from metal that will be supplied.

Commercial clay will be supplied from Hazelhust stock, However the tutor will supply a small quantity of his own Native Bai-tunze porcelain stone clay body for students to try. Bisque firing is included.
By the end of the week you will have a number of pots in progress and have expanded your ideas of the bowl form.

About the tutor:

Dr Steve Harrison is an Australian Ceramic artist intent on self sufficiency. A wood-fire potter, he has decades of experience building kilns and making pottery. He makes his own glazes and clay. He fuels his kilns with wood from his locality.
Steve Harrison is the author of a number of books including Laid Back Wood Firing and describes himself as ‘Potter, kiln surgeon, clay doctor, wood butcher’.


Materials List:
Commercial clay will be used, However, Steve will provide a small amount of his ‘Bai-tunze native porcelain stone’ clay body for each student to try.

Bucket
large and small sponges
a few batts,
clean towel each day
throwing and turning tools
a small, fine ‘mill bastard’ file for sharpening.

You will also need to bring a note book and pen.
Small digital cameras, ipads and phones are also acceptable for recording techniques.

Please contact Hazlehurst Gallery about this workshop directly. 02 85365738

Stoneware Wood firing Weekend Workshops at Hot and Sticky Studio, 2014

April 5/6 firing – 13th unpack. FULL

April 26/27 firing – May 4 unpack. FULL

July 5/6 firing – 13th unpack. FULL

July 19/20 firing – 27th unpack. FULL

August 2/3 firing – 10th unpack. FULL

Wood fired Raku Weekend Workshops;

All Sundays;

June 15th, FULL

June 22nd, FULL

June 29th, FULL

Throwing Workshop – Hazelhurst Gallery, Gymea 19th to 22nd of Jan 2015

THE ELEGANT BOWL – Elegant, balanced and light.

A Pottery Master Class

With Steve Harrison
Mon 19 to Thurs 22 January 2014
Studio 3, 10am – 4pm
Fee: $378 plus materials fee $33 (includes 2 bags of clay)
(Minimum 4, maximum 10)

Intermediate and advanced levels

Course outline:
This four day clay workshop will encourage throwing and turning a number of bowls in different forms. Emphasis will be placed on beautiful form and the interaction of rims and feet.

Turning using chucks will be encouraged to develop a sense of balance and lightness in the finished forms. The throwing of different chucks and clay pads will be demonstrated, as will the designing and making of specific turning tools.
You will be able to make your own turning tool from metal that will be supplied.

Commercial clay will be supplied from Hazelhust stock, However the tutor will supply a small quantity of his own Native Bai-tunze porcelain stone clay body for students to try. Bisque firing is included.
By the end of the week you will have a number of pots in progress and have expanded your ideas of the bowl form.

About the tutor:

Dr Steve Harrison is an Australian Ceramic artist intent on self sufficiency. A wood-fire potter, he has decades of experience building kilns and making pottery. He makes his own glazes, clay and glass and fuels his kilns with wood from his locality.
Steve Harrison is the author of a number of books including Laid Back Wood Firing and describes himself as ‘Potter, kiln surgeon, clay doctor, wood butcher’.


Materials List:
Commercial clay will be used, However, Steve will provide a small amount of his ‘Bai-tunze native porcelain stone’ clay body for each student to try.

Bucket
large and small sponges
a few batts,
clean towel each day
throwing and turning tools
a small, fine ‘mill bastard’ file for sharpening.

You will also need to bring a note book and pen.
Small digital cameras, ipads and phones are also acceptable for recording techniques.

Please contact Hazlehurst Gallery about this workshop directly.  FULLY SUBSCRIBED