Tao of Clay

Hand-Building Ornaments and Candlesticks with Ruth Easterbrook

$350.00 USD

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Workshop Dates November 13th–14th

$350 per registration

November 13th–14th, 2026 | 2-Day Workshop

Friday, November 13th: 4:30–7:30 PM
Saturday, November 14th: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Saturday includes a one-hour lunch break.

Join us at Tao of Clay for a two-day hand-building workshop with guest artist Ruth Easterbrook. Participants will learn hand-building techniques to create sculptural ornaments and candlestick holders, primarily using pinch pots and slabs.

Ruth will demonstrate each technique and provide guidance throughout the workshop, with time to decorate pieces using slip and underglaze.

Workshop Schedule

Day 1: Friday, November 13th | 4:30–7:30 PM
Ruth will demonstrate how to construct each component of the candlestick holders. Participants will make slabs and use tar paper to create templates for the wings.

Day 2: Saturday, November 14th | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Ruth will demonstrate how to make pinch pots for the ornament shapes. Participants will cut out wings and assemble their candlestick holders and ornaments. Time permitting, participants will use slip and underglaze to decorate their pieces.

Workshop Includes

Tao of Clay house clay body (our signature red-brown functional clay)
High-fire wire for ornament loops
Temporary storage for workshop pieces
Basic communal tools, including buckets, sponges, rolling pins, wooden boards, and plastic
Tar paper for creating wing templates
Workshop handout and demonstrations

Required Student Tool List

Participants are welcome to bring any hand-building tools they prefer. Ruth recommends bringing the following at minimum:

Scoring tool
Ribs for smoothing
Needle tool
Clay knife
Knife or X-Acto knife for clay
Notebook and pencil

The on-site Tao of Clay Kiosk carries a selection of our favorite studio tools if you need to purchase anything before the workshop.

Firing & Glazing

Firing and glazing are not included in the workshop registration fee.

Firing is available through Tao of Clay at our standard rate of $5.00/lb. Finished pieces will be available for pickup approximately 2 weeks after firing.

If you fire your work with Tao of Clay, you are welcome to return to the studio during open hours to glaze your pieces.

Once your work has been bisque fired, we will hold it for 2 weeks. Pieces not picked up or otherwise arranged for after this period may be discarded.

Studio Access

Workshop participants have access to the studio during scheduled workshop hours only.

Participants who fire their work at Tao of Clay may return during regular open studio hours to glaze their pieces.

About Ruth Easterbrook

Ruth Easterbrook is a studio artist based in Philadelphia. She earned her MFA from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University and her BFA from Syracuse University. Her work has been exhibited across the United States, including at Market House Craft Center in Lancaster, PA, and Charlie Cummings Gallery in Gainesville, FL.

Ruth has completed artist residencies at institutions including the Harvard Ceramics Program, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, and The Clay Studio in Philadelphia. She currently maintains her studio practice in Philadelphia, PA.

Cancellation Policy:

All sales are final and non-refundable. No refunds will be given for cancellations made at any time. Please consider this policy before purchasing a ticket.