Nerikomi – Designs in Colored Clay with Gretchen Grawunder

Upstairs in The Mall
587 Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 208
Borrego Springs, CA 92004

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. 

Member: $75
Non-member $90

Marbled clay techniques date back to the 16 century. Artisans used local clay for kneading and to create effects. The term Nerikomi is a more contemporary term and refers to a design that is created in such a way that it extends through a block, imilar to millefiori glasswork from Italy.

This three-hour workshop wil be a demonstration of the Nerikomi process I use in my work. I wil show how to color clay, how to make a colored clay blend, how to make simple “canes” for designs, and how to assemble the canes into a block. If time permits, I wil show how to cut a slice from the block and laminate to a base clay and how to form a simple dish.

Each participant will receive:

• a finished piece of Nerikomi
• an outline
• notebook to jot down thoughts and ideas

Gretchen Grawunder started her clay journey in Borrego Springs at The Pottery in 2017 under the tutelage of Ginger Dunlap-Deitz. Working with stoneware clay, she made functional as well as sculptural pieces which she sells on ETSY, at local street fairs, and at BAI. In 2021, she enrolled in a week-long online ceramics course in colored clay taught by Dean McRaine, which inspired her to explore that medium. She continues using Dean’s process and inspiration and is now excited to share it with others.

Min: 5, Max: 15