A One-Day Polymer Clay Workshop

Plus An Additional Handbuilding Class, Back By Popular Demand!

Author

Jennifer Delare
September 27, 2024

Hello, dear Friends of the Staunton Clayground!

Staunton is gearing up for a magical weekend, and we are kicking off a fabulous fall! We are adding more handbuilding and branching out into polymer clay, so hold on to your hats and keep on reading!

A welcoming polymer clay “Desk Buddy!” by local artist and our newest instructor, Lainie Mabbitt

Our first-ever one-day workshop, An Introduction to Polymer Clay – Make an Inspirational Desk Friend, is scheduled for Saturday, October 26, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon. Come join local artist Lainie Mabbitt of Second Stories Art, our newest instructor, for tea and cookies and a chance to make a one-of-a-kind gift, a “Desk Buddy” to brighten your desk or the desk of someone you love!

In this 3-hour workshop for adults aged 14 and up, we’ll talk about the benefits and fun of using polymer clay. You will practice techniques to create realistic faces and use your new skill to craft a character for your desk who holds an inspirational sign of your choosing.

A happy face to greet you when you sit down at your desk in the morning! Photo courtesy of the artist, Lainie Mabbitt

What will your desk buddy look like? Photo courtesy of the artist, Lainie Mabbitt

Back in the realm of longer-form workshops, we had originally scheduled two handbuilding classes this autumn, but they both sold out before August was even over! So we have decided to add one more session of our super-popular five-week Introduction to Handbuilding. This one is scheduled to run on Monday evenings, October 14–Nov. 18, 6:00–8:30 pm (with a break the week of Nov. 11, Veterans' Day).

So much to explore! So much fun playing!

Join our very own founder, Cary Dahl, to explore some of the essential techniques of handbuilding, making several unique functional pieces to take home (or give as gifts this holiday season). You will build confidence working with both soft and leather-hard clay, and explore a variety of surface texturing techniques. Projects will include a set of small plates, a birdbath with bird sculpture, an angular vase, and a mug (all food, oven, microwave and dishwasher safe).

Is that all? Not by a long shot! We are putting the final touches on a couple more holiday-themed workshops that will be taking place in late November and early December, so keep watching this space!

Meanwhile, if you are in the Queen City, have a magical (and mischievous) weekend!