Short Courses

Saturday 22 - Sunday 23 May, 9.30am-4.30pm 

Immerse yourself in the world of design, pattern and colour, exploring and developing techniques to create interest or tell a story on the surface of your vessels. 

This course will cover various techniques and their design considerations: shellac/water resist, stamping and texture, sgraffito, transfers, carving and inlay. Initially experimenting on flat tiles you will then progress to explore a technique of your choice, allowing you to further develop your technique onto a small vessel. 

At the conclusion of your weekend you will have made a series of test tiles and at least one small decorated piece. Work will be left at Sturt for a bisque firing plus an option of a stoneware firing of the unglazed work. Includes a half bag of Lumina Stoneware clay and all materials. 

Level: All | Cost: $330 + $60 materials (includes bisque firing) 

Tracey Mitchell’s working life has led her through fashion and graphic design and into ceramics with a keen interest in nature and an obsession with patterns. Tracey’s ceramic work explores the surface of vessels, specialising in shellac resist, stamping, texture and sgraffito using a combination of slab, slip casting and throwing.

Saturday 22 - Sunday 23 May, 9.30am-4.30pm 

Design and create your own unique metal spoon. Working with copper, brass or silver if you have experience in metalworking, learn traditional silversmithing techniques of forging rod and/ or sheet fabrication to create a spoon from a single piece of metal. 

Forging is a physical process, which requires much hammering and use of stakes to broaden, lengthen, shape and thin a piece of metal rod into a spoon bowl and handle. Fabrication requires a basic spoon form to be saw pierced from metal sheet and then refined with hammers and stakes to form a three dimensional bowl and handle. 

There will also be the opportunity to create a hybrid spoon that is made from part sheet and part rod and joined together by soldering or rivets. 

Level: All | Cost: $330 + $55 materials 

Jane Tadrist is a committed Blue Mountains maker who exhibits and sells her jewellery and silver work locally and regionally. She is an award winning, UK qualified jeweller and silversmith, experienced educator, community artist as well as Masters qualified art therapist who specialises in working with young offenders. 

3 day course: Friday 21 - Sunday 23 May, 9.30am-4.30pm 

Explore traditional methods of coopering (the art of barrel and cask making) and fine furniture production creating a functional desk lamp. In this workshop you will cover: 

• the basic principle and history of traditional coopered woodworking methods 
• the technique and tools used for each step of the coopering process
• the process of designing a wooden handcrafted item 
• basic requirements of extra low voltage electrical components 
• assembly and finishing of the lamp using coopering and fine furniture techniques

Level: All | Cost: $495 + $150 materials (includes light fixtures) 

Martin 

Martin Jones is a Sturt School for Wood graduate and fine furniture maker with an electrical background. He employs traditional and modern furniture making methods to design and make bespoke lighting, furniture and homewares. Martin’s designs and woodworking concepts have featured in Australian Wood Review and Furniture and Cabinetmaking Magazine, UK. He is represented by Sturt Gallery and Bungendore Wood Gallery.