Schulz's Twisted Clay Studio has hundreds of pounds of clay stockpiled and a massive electric kiln, to boot. So rather than let her studio sit unused, Schulz kicked off her Shelter in Clay program.
"It's real, meaningful projects that we're making, and [we're] learning how to just use the older methods of working in clay," she said. "That includes ... pinching and coiling. And a lot of times, we think of pinching and coiling as things that we do when we're kids. But the truth is that you can make some really interesting pots [that way], and it's great for kids."
The at-home program provides students a block of clay and instructions on various clay building techniques, such as slab, pinch-and-coil and more. Schulz also guides participants through the various techniques via prerecorded videos.
All of the various packages offer at least 10 pounds of clay, building instructions, a glazing sheet, slab templates and instructions on how to return the work for firing and glazing.
Schulz said offering the new take-home service is helping carry her business during the uncertain economic climate.
"It's also been great for me because I love to teach, and it makes me feel like I'm in my element," Schulz said. "There was ... one week where I was just closed and not teaching, and it made me feel a little bit lost because I didn't feel like I was engaging in ... [teaching] pottery to people. I get a lot out of that."
Under normal operating conditions, Twisted Clay Studio offers equipment and instructional space for hand-thrown ceramics and slab building. Schulz said she has already arranged her classroom space to maintain a 6-foot distance between students in the future, but she has not decided when she will reopen the studio doors.
"My main concern is trying to keep the distance," she said. "Even if we're wearing masks, it might not be the smartest to have hands-on instruction."
Until conditions improve for studio operations to resume, students can pick up their take-home packages at Twisted Clay Studio, 441 E. Northwest Hwy., Grapevine. Pickup times are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2-8 p.m., and orders should be placed 24 hours in advance.
Twisted Clay Studio
441 E. Northwest Hwy., Grapevine
817-527-6019
www.twistedclay.co
