Build-A-Bong

Included with your Creative Experience:

Creative Adult Hangout. Semi-private gathering for you and your group, in a professional artists' studio and third space unlike any in metro-Detroit. 

Personalized Guidance and Expert Instruction. Art Coaching from our creative director: a formally trained, highly credentialed Ceramics Expert with years of professional experience. 

Concierge Service. As an important guest at Easel & Wheel Art Space, our staff will handle all cleanup and be attentive to your needs.

Functional Artwork. Your cup is high-fired which makes it a very durable and functional work of art. Microwave and dishwasher safe.

Free Clear Glaze and Firing. Your cup will look beautiful when finished and high-fired in a clear glaze, which shows off the fine porcelain medium and accentuates the intricacies of the cast-figure designs. Colorful glazes available for a fee.

Paint with Underglaze. Paint your cup using a selection of premium underglazes to add some color to your design. This step is time-permitting, if needed an additional session can be purchased if your project requires more time and detail.

Also Included with *Easel & Wheel VIP Ticket*:

Private Studio Experience. Enjoy a fully private creative space for your party of 6-12 guests.

One Extra Hour. Additional studio time: 30 minutes before -and- after scheduled class time. Can be useful, for example to: setup decorations for your event, have extra time to create, or pause class for an intermission to experience downtown Royal Oak, etc.

Free Pottery Wheel Spins. Receive a free beginner's throwing lesson and practice on the pottery wheel. If you love your piece, it may be purchased at an additional cost; otherwise, the clay will be recycled and reused.

Zero Service Fees. Ticket and processing fees waived.

Easel & Wheel Swag. Each guest receives a surprise free gift!

Receiving Completed Project:

You will be notified when your cup is available for pickup, typically in two-and-a-half to six weeks. (Shipping is available for a fee).

Project Timeline depends on:

How long it takes your work to dry- See estimated timeframe for various clay stages below. More complicated pieces may need to be intentionally dried slower to avoid cracks that can occur with certain environmental or experience level factors.

Kiln schedules- Capacity with the current batch firing runs of student work.

The need to re-fire your piece- For whatever reason.

Clay Stages

Class Day: Clay is Wet and ready to build!

Week 1 - (up to) Week 3: Your work of art is Drying.

Week 2 - (up to) Week 5: Bisque- first Firing in the Kiln.

Week 2.5- (up to) Week 6: Glazing and then second, (possibly third) Kiln Firing.

Valuable Skills Unlocked:

Surface Treatment, Joinery, Slipping & Scoring, Modeling, Reductive and Additive Sculpture, Rubber Casting, Handle Placement: function & design, Underglaze Painting, Coil/Strip Building, Pinching, Alternative Design Problem Solving.
*Some techniques are optional/ as needed for your project.