Live Sessions: October 17 & 31, 2026 at 1pm Eastern.

Replays Forever

In this two-session course, Laurie will go over her techniques for crafting charming and vibrant ornaments, forms, and miniatures in clay.

In week one, we will discuss slipcasting and altering slipcast forms to create the ornament. Students will also learn slip-inlay techniques and how to create a variety of line qualities and forms using different tools and materials.

In week two, Laurie will cover painting with underglaze on bisqueware to get a vibrant watercolor effect. We will also discuss firing and hanging strategies for a wholly glazed ornament.

Tools and materials needed:

Since this is not a hands-on course, none of these materials are required. These are what Laurie will be using and what she recommends to replicate this process.

• 10-25 lbs any no-grog ^6 clay – Laurie works with Laguna Miller-16

• Casting Slip

• You can use a pre-made porcelain casting slip -or-

• Laurie’s casting slip

  • ¾ bucket of BONE DRY clay scraps of your clay body (I use Miller-16)

  • Water (fill to cover scraps, let soak for 24-48 h)

  • Add 2 capfuls of Darvan 7

  • Mix with any blunger & drill until liquid (like the thickness of a bisque soup)

  • Sieve

• 1 Ornament Mold - This one would work well - feel free to use your own vintage/handmade one

• Kanthal Wire - 20g or 17g

• 3 2 oz containers underglaze – Laurie prefers AMACO Velvets

• 1 2 oz. container V-370 Amaco Velour Black

• 1 Pint ^6 clear glaze – I will share my recipe in class, but any ^6 commercial clear glaze will be fine.

• 1 X-acto knife

• 1 set round watercolor brushes

• 1 mop brush or thick fan brush

• 3 cups for mixing colors: solo cups, repurposed takeout/yogurt containers

• 1 sheet craft foam

• Any preferred stamps, hand tools or clay cutters

• A rolling pin

For Firing-

• Handmade kiln “cookies” to catch excess glaze drips

• Large bead rack pair like this or similar

• 4 or more kiln rods - 4mm