BLOSSOM HILL CRAFTS
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    • Private Events
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    • Contact Us
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  • Pottery Classes
    • 5-week Beginner Classes
    • One-time Classes
    • Workshops
    • Student Portal
  • Membership
    • Join our studio
    • Porcelain Studio
    • Member Portal
  • Workshops
    • Fall Workshops
  • STORE
    • BHC Store
    • Tools Shop
    • Clay Shop
    • Gift Cards
  • Private Events
    • Private Events
  • About Us
    • Studio Overview
    • Contact Us
    • Employment-studio tech
We are excited to share our lineup of free & paid workshops.  
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We have a wide variety, ranging from easy to learn,  to more advanced workshops. Please take the time to read through the workshop descriptions you are interested in to make sure you have the skill level required, can complete the necessary prep, are able to attend alternate dates, and/or have the supplies/tools needed for the workshop.  Some workshops provide materials which we incorporate into the base price cost, but for the Free Gold Luster workshop BHC does not provide the luster.  Workshop descriptions will call out tools, materials, and pottery you will need to bring to the workshop so read through them completely.


You have the opportunity to select up to 5 workshops, but are not limited to 5.  If you would like to sign up for more email teambhc@blossomhillcrafts.com. 2-3 business days after you sign up a confirmation email will be sent.  Please review it and let us know if changes need to be made.  If you don’t receive a confirmation email check your junk or spam folders before emailing or calling us to follow up.  We want to be sure you are receiving our communications and are signed up for the correct workshops. We’ve also made paying for workshops even easier.  The cost of workshops will be processed monthly along with your membership fees each month (ACH’s).

Email is our primary form of communication to our members.  Unfortunately there is no way for us to know if you haven’t received our emails.  It is important to follow up with us know if you do not receive a confirmation email after signing up.
WORKSHOP REGISTRATION
Member registration
Non- Member Registration
HOW OUR FREE WORKSHOPS WORK:
Free Workshops are a first come first serve with a waitlist. Read through each description to make sure you have the skill level required, can complete the necessary prep, and/or have the supplies/tools needed for the workshop. These workshops are free to members but a $20 "No Show Fee" will be applied to memberships fees if you do not show up. Please send us an email as soon as you can if you are unable to attend. We want to make sure our waitlisted members are able to attend if space is available.
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HOW PAID WORKSHOPS WORK:
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We’ve also made paying for workshops even easier.  The cost of workshops will be processed monthly along with your membership fees each month (ACH’s). Waitlists will be created for full workshops. A second date could be offered for popular workshops.  The minimum number of students must be met for a workshop to run.  If the minimum is not met a workshop will be canceled via email 7 days before. Cancellation policy:  No Refunds 7 days or less prior to the workshop.
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September

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Porcelain Painting - Mina Kwok
Learn the fine art of porcelain painting with our guest artist, Mina Kwok, in this 3 week introduction to porcelain painting workshop. Her 40 years of experience and step by step direction will relieve any reservations will make learning easy. This introduction to porcelain painting requires absolutely no drawing experience but for the experienced painters, Mina will give guidance on how to fold your current skills into the process of painting on porcelain. In Week One, you will lay down the linework for your images. Week Two Mina will demonstrate how to shade the image to create depth. In the final class, Week Three, the background will be painted and the shading will be refined with a final layer. After each week your porcelain piece will be fired to set the layer. You will have the option to freehand a drawing or images will be provided. All tools, materials, and porcelain pottery is included in the price of the workshop.   Free Event: Meet the Artist August 26th at 7:00pm

Date: September 13th, 20th, 27th
Time: 10am - 12:30pm
Teacher: Mina Kwok
Member Fees: $125 - Non-Member Fees: $225

Spray Glazing 101
Learn to use (and clean) the spray booth to spray glazes on your pieces. Spraying glazes allows you to apply thinner coats than cannot be achieved through pouring and dipping methods, and the "overspray" effect can help you achieve an "ombre" effect wherein one color transitions more smoothly into another. A spray gun, adapter, and N95 mask for you to keep are included in the cost of this workshop.

Requirements: Minimum of 6 months (should definitely be confident and competent at pouring/dipping glazes).
Bring 2-3 pieces of bisqueware to spray.
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Date: September 14th (Full Waitlist Only)
Time: 10am - 12pm
Teacher: Xander
Member Fees: $50 - Non-Member Fees: Members Only
Date: September 14th (Full Waitlist Only)
Time: 12:30-2:30pm
Teacher: Xander
Member Fees: $50 - Non-Member Fees: Members Only

Throwing Pumpkins
Let's get ready for fall and throw some pumpkins! In this workshop, Charleen will teach you how to throw, shape, and add curly stems and lots of character to your pumpkin. Decorating with glaze, underglaze, and oxides will be discussed.  This workshop is not recommended for Beginners

Requirements: Intermediate throwing skills required. Should be able to throw even-walled cylinder from 4 pounds of clay.
Basic Pottery tools
Date: September 26th
Time: 9:30am - 12:30pm
Teacher: Charleen
Member Fees: $25 - Non-Member Fees: $125 (+ $40 glazing upcharge)
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October

Intro to Slip Casting
​Learn the basics of slip casting with 2 part molds! We will provide variety of decorative and functional molds to choose from. Each participant will walk away with a small and medium sized slip cast piece. Cone 5-6 Porcelain slip

NEW DATE ADDED
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Date: October 2nd (2 Spots Left)
Time: 9:30am - 1pm
Teacher: Victoria
Member Fees: $40 - Non-Member Fees: $145 (Bisque Firing included, no glazing)
Date: October 4th  (FULL WAITLIST ONLY)
Time: 9:30am - 1pm
Teacher: Victoria
Member Fees: $40 - Non-Member Fees: $145 (Bisque Firing included, no glazing)
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Trimming Refined! (FULL WAITLIST ONLY)
Are you struggling with bottom-heavy pots? Are a lot of your pieces cracking in the process due to uneven thickness? The care and detail in the trimming process is overlooked by many potters. This workshop will help you improve your trimming, achieve more evenness, thinner pots (if you'd like), and beautiful foot rims. The specific instruction will be adjusted based on the desires of the students, but can include- Xander's essential trimming tips and avoiding the most common mistakes, how to trim off a chuck without hating the world, and an introduction to tap centering.

Requirements: Beginner to intermediate. Bring at least 3 pieces of greenware to trim
Date: October 5th
Time: 5:30 - 7:30pm
Teacher: Xander
Member Fees: Free - Non-Member Fees: Members Only
Slip Cast Mix 'n' Match 
​(This class is for those who have already taken introduction to slip casting, or have prior experience) We will provide decorative and functional studio molds for participants to expand on previous slip casting experience. Learn how to manipulate slip cast forms with a variety of techniques to create new sculptures, and discover ways to incorporate ornamental slip cast details onto existing work. 

Requirements: Must have experience with slip molds.  If you took the slip casting workshop with Victoria in June or plan to take the Oct 4th slip casting workshop you satisfy the requirement.
Date: October 11th
Time: 9:30am - 1pm
Teacher: Victoria
Member Fees: $40 - Non-Member Fees: Members Only
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"TASHIMA" - Mishima Tasha's Way (FULL WAITLIST ONLY)
Learn Tasha's Sgraffito combined with Mishima techniques in this unique workshop dubbed “Tashima". After carving into your leather hard pot you will apply colored slips for an inlay effect - Mishima. This process will allow you to create finer colored lines more effectively than a paint brush. For all of you that don't feel comfortable with drawing freehand, stencils will be provided. All skill levels are welcome
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Requirements: Please bring one leather hard pot that isn't too thin since you will be carving into it. 
Date: October 12th
Time: 3:30 - 6pm
Teacher: Tasha
Member Fees: $10 - Non-Member Fees: $50
Holiday Slip Casting
Join Greg and our collection our collection of Fall slip molds. Pick a pumpkin mug, a Christmas tree, or any of the other molds we have to make a mid-fire Porcelain slip cast.    This workshop requires previous slip casting knowledge.  Taking the slip casting workshop with Victoria 10/4 (or last Spring) satisfies this requirement. Cone 5-6 Porcelain slip
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Requirements: Must have experience with slip molds.  If you took the slip casting workshop with Victoria in June or plan to take the Oct 4th slip casting workshop you satisfy the requirement.
Date: October 17th
Time: 6 - 9pm
Teacher: Greg
Member Fees: $40 - Non-Member Fees: $145  (Bisque Firing included, no glazing)
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Constructing Narrative: Building Larger with Clay
Push the boundaries of your creative practice and challenge yourself to build bigger! We will draw from historical and contemporary references, build paper models, expand on fundamental handbuilding techniques, and work 1:1 to design and construct a narrative sculpture. We will ideate together, break down your designs, and construct in a supportive environment. Must have some handbuilding experience.

Requirements: Basic handbuilding skills like pinch pots, scoring/slip, slab roller, sculpted/built smaller projects.
Date: October 18th, 25th & November 1st, 8th, 15th
Time: 9:30am - 12pm
Teacher: Victoria
Member Fees: $150 - Non-Member Fees: Members Only
Teapot Basics: Form and Function
Get ready to master the potter's classic challenge! Let's learn to throw, fit, and assemble a teapot. Workshop will focus on throwing techniques and design considerations. Day one: Throw teapot body, spout and lid. Day two: trim pot and lid, make handles and nobs, and assemble.  This workshop is not recommended for Beginners.

Requirements: ​Intermediate throwing skills required. Students should be able to throw an even-walled 7" cylinder, and ideally will have some experience coning clay, collaring clay, and making handles. Minimum 4+ months throwing experience & has successfully put attachments on pots is recommended.
Bring basic throwing tools and a fettling knife and/or X-Acto knife. Students are encouraged to bring pictures of teapots for inspiration.

Date: October 24th & 26th 
Time: 6 - 9pm
Teacher: Charleen
Member Fees: $50 - Non-Member Fees: $150
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November

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Glazing to Showcase Texture (Full Waitlist Only)
Learn glazing techniques to highlight textured surfaces. We will cover the use of glazes, underglazes and oxides to enhance, but not hide, the character of your pot. Whether your piece is stamped, carved, or coiled, we will show you the perfect technique to make your pot shine! All skill levels are welcome

Requirements: Bring 3-10 bisqued pots, ready to glaze. Pots should be textured using any of your favorite methods: carving, stamps, texture mats, coils, throwing lines, slip trailing, etc. Use the clay body of your choice - cone 5/6 or cone 10.
​Date: November 5th
Time: 6 - 9pm
Teacher: Charleen
Member Fees: Free - Non-Member Fees: Members Only

Horse Hair - Raku (FULL WAITLIST ONLY)
Warm up around the raku kiln with Greg for Horsehair Raku. You will learn how to apply hair and other combustibles to create unique surface decoration. The best part of this workshop is you get to take your pieces home the same day! Bring 1-2 bisque fired pots made from a groggy clay.  Having choices is good so throw and fire more pots than you need early to not feel rushed. Raku pots are decorative only.  They will not hold water and are not food safe.  All skill levels are welcome. Please follow this link for additional details and workshop instructions. 
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Requirements: 2 bisqueware pots made from a groggy clay
​Date: November 14th
Time: 9:30am- 12:30pm
Teacher: Greg
Member Fees: $25 - Non-Member Fees: $125
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Gold Luster!
Pump up the "WOW!" factor for your pottery with a little gold. Learn how to safely apply luster to your pottery. Bring 3-5 small finished glazed pots.  The final look of your luster will be determined by the glaze you use.  Matte glazes will give you a matte luster and glossy glazes will make the luster shiny.  This will work on Mid or High fire glazed pottery. Gold Luster kits are not included.  Kits are available for purchase through the BHC store. All skill levels are welcome

Requirements: 3-5 Small finished, glaze fired, pots
​Date: November 16th
Time: 10am- 12pm
Teacher: Tasha
Member Fees: $Free - Non-Member Fees: Members Only
Blossom Hill Crafts
Nurturing creativity & the passion for clay
Studio:  15900 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos
Store:  354 East Campbell Avenue, Campbell