Tried it Tuesday...Sorta

Today we are linking up with Fourth Grade Flipper for the last Tried It Tuesday of July!  Check out what everyone is up to this week HERE!

So, this is an abbreviated version of Tried it Tuesday, and not yet a final product, but I just thought I had to share.  I (Emily) have been in the mountains (Montreat, NC) with my husband's wonderful family for the past few days.  It is really a fabulous and relaxing place.  Finally after all the rain and several bottles of wine, we have gotten out to do some outdoor things, rock hoppin, hiking, fishing, etc.  This week the kids (all 5 of them, cousins included) are doing camp during the day, so my sister-in-law, my mother-in-law, and I have really been taking advantage of the free time!  My sister-in-law and I decided to take advantage of the pottery center that offers classes.  We decided to try the simple, basic, coffee mug class.  Now I know what you are thinking...Ghost, Patrick Swayze, hands getting dirty in clay...this scene...

Well, it wasn't quite like that.  There was a lot of assistance, but unfortunately they didn't look like Patrick Swayze.

So who knew, but making a mug has many steps.  First, you had to beat the clay, and kneed it like dough...that was quite nice, lots of slamming the clay and getting out a bit of frustration. This part was easy!  Now on to what they call centering.  What I like to call misery!  It was def. the hardest part of all.  Getting the clay centered on the wheel.  Lots of redos here.

Check out that concentration.  See the tongue sticking out and the solemn look on my face.  I was really taking it seriously. 

Here is the stage where you bring the clay up so you can make a mug.  They wanted you to think about what shape you wanted and work the clay that way.  I, on the other hand, just wanted it to be able to hold liquid.  I didn't care about the exact shape.  :)

The final stage was just making sure it was perfect complete and getting it off the wheel.  I let the professional do that.

Now the mug will under go a spa treatment, a little trimming, another spa treatment, a handle, glazing, then a final spa treatment...wait I could stand to undergo all of that, 3 spa treatments, trimming, glazing...sounds delightful, he he he!!!  I will update on Friday with the final product.  Let's hope it holds liquid!!  That is all I ask for!


Stay tuned for tomorrow.  We are getting "piggy" with it and have a little Freebie!