Carve Clay Stamps for Textured Pottery

Service Description

Carve Clay Stamps For Textured Pottery with Anita Lawrence Sunday February 22, 2026, 10:00 AM - 2 PM, $110 Open to adults with some handbuilding experience Please bring an apron, all other supplies included Carve Clay Stamps for Textured Pottery is an in-depth workshop for those with some experience in handbuilding who want to expand their surface design vocabulary through hand-carved clay stamps. This class shares techniques and ideas drawn from original course content the instructor studied with artist Sarah Pike on Domestika, combined with Anita Lawrence’s own creative process and stamp designs. Participants will carve stamps from leather-hard to nearly hard clay blocks using a variety of carving tools. We’ll explore how simple geometric shapes can be combined, repeated, and rotated to create cohesive designs and dynamic patterns. Attention will be given to how shapes relate to one another, how positive and negative space creates visual rhythm, and how thoughtful carving leads to versatile, durable stamps. Before carving, you’ll use provided paper templates to plan your designs, allowing you to refine patterns and experiment with layout. We’ll also play with cardstock cutouts to explore relief and layering ideas. You’ll have the option to carve both sides of a stamp with complementary patterns, maximizing design potential. Anita will demonstrate carving approaches, discuss stylistic variations, and share finished stamps for inspiration—and, if time allows, participants may use these stamps to texture their own slab-built mug. This workshop emphasizes intentional design, repeatable pattern making, and practical tools you can integrate into your existing studio practice.