Lamp Bases

In this workshop, we’re learning how to create your own ceramic lamp bases using coil-building techniques.

We’ll start with a strong slab base and build upwards, focusing on structure, balance and proportion to create a lamp base that is both functional and stable.

You’ll learn how to plan the relationship between your base and walls, account for clay shrinkage and create an opening large enough to accommodate wiring and fittings. We’ll also look at how to incorporate a discreet channel at the base for the power cord.

From there, we’ll explore how to join coils securely, blend and reinforce the walls and shape your form as it develops. You’ll also have the opportunity to add surface texture and decorative details that create beautiful patterns of light and shadow when the finished lamp is illuminated.

Finally, we’ll look at how to finish and refine the edges with safe, functional use in mind.

This workshop is ideal for beginners and intermediate potters who want to combine sculpture, practical function and creative surface design in one project.

What you'll learn

• How to build a stable slab base for a ceramic lamp
• How to plan your base-to-wall ratio
• How to account for clay shrinkage when designing your lamp
• How to build strong and consistent walls using coils
• How to securely join and blend coils
• How to reinforce your structure as you build
• How to create an opening suitable for wiring and fittings
• How to create a discreet channel for the power cord
• How to design surface texture that creates interesting light and shadow
• How to shape organic lamp forms
• How to finish and refine edges for safe, functional use