Development - Working Taller and Gas Reduction

Build on your foundational wheel skills to throw taller vessels and work confidently with more clay. Develop your spiral wedging, tap centering, and trimming skills while exploring different clay bodies, firing methods, and the effects of gas reduction.

Dates: Nov 22 – Dec 20
Time: 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Instructor: Adam Blythe
Experience: Students interested in this class must be able to throw a neat and uniform one (1) pound cylinder. The cylinder should be uniform throughout.
What's Included: Hands-on class instruction Practice with studio reclaim during every class One 25-pound bag of clay in your chosen course clay body Practice during scheduled open studio sessions, including Sundays, starting after week one Make as many pots as you like with your course clay; glazing and firing are included for that work

$250

01 / Outcome

About the Class

Develop enough control to work with larger amounts of clay, spiral wedge, tap center, and trim taller vessels. Build an understanding of different clay bodies and firing methods, how the gas kiln works, and how to glaze work for reduction firing.

02 / Scheduled Classes

01 - Nov 22, 2026

Working with More Clay

Meet your classmates, choose a favorite cup, and tour the facility. Explore different clay bodies and select one for the course, then practice coning, centering, and throwing 3 lbs cylinders. No pieces are kept this week; the focus is on practice. Open studio begins after this class.

02 - Nov 29, 2026

Spiral Wedging & Clay Management

Learn spiral wedging through demonstrations and plenty of hands-on practice. We’ll discuss managing clay through the reclaim process, with particular attention to water use, then continue practicing 3lbs pound cylinders

03 - Dec 6, 2026

Tap Centering & Trimming

Learn to tap center and practice trimming your work. Explore different trimming tools and the use of chucks to support taller forms. We’ll also discuss managing clay as it dries and recognizing when a piece is ready to trim. And no surprise, more 3 lbs cylinder practice.

04 - Dec 13, 2026

Taller Cylinders & Firing Methods

Through slides and finished pots, explore electric and gas firing, oxidation and reduction, and the effects of soda, wood, and salt firing. After the hands on discussion practice throwing five-pound cylinders. All work must be finished and submitted to the ware cart for bisque firing

05 - Dec 20, 2026

Gas Glazing & Final Firing

Explore the path of fire through the gas kiln and how the firing atmosphere affects your work. We’ll cover glaze basics and a little glaze chemistry, then demonstrate how to use our gas-firing glazes. Glaze your pieces, wipe the feet clean, and submit them for the final gas firing.

Your Instructor

Adam Blythe

Adam is the founder of Shared Floor. With a background in engineering, Adam works to bring an approachable technical perspective to the creative possibilities of clay. With a particular interest in gas reduction firing, intentional making marks, and thrown vessels. Adam teaching focuses on developing skill and finding satisfaction in making something well made