Flameworking

Craft Center Classes

The Craft Center will focus on online content for the Winter. We encourage you to visit our Facebook page where we will make announcements about Craft Center Zoom classes, tool lending information, and video tutorials. 

The Craft Center offers more than 90 classes each quarter in our 10 different studios, ranging from one-day workshops to seven-week courses. These classes are small, so you get lots of one-on-one attention. After developing a skill, you may purchase a day or quarter pass to use the studios whenever our classes are not in session. Many classes include passes as well.

Below you will find a list of our classes and their descriptions. Registration for these listed classes will be available at rec.ucdavis.edu

We apologize in advance for any inconsistencies between newer copies of the Class Listings sheet attached. Some details may be subject to change to due scheduling conflicts. All final dates, times, and prices will be listed on rec.ucdavis.edu 

To learn more about our waitlist, refunds and orientations, please visit our Class policies section.

Arts and Crafts

Book Binding

Make your own beautiful books! The class will emphasize the visual and tactile aspects of the book and how to use color, design and texture in the process of fabrication. The terminology, styles, materials and tools of bookbinding will be covered and creative design will be encouraged! (Three…

Cake Decorating

Learn the basics of fondant and learn how to make fondant at home. Learn how to prepare a round cake for fondant by measuring the cake and the fondant amount needed for each size of the cake. Learn how to get perfectly smooth fondant and learn basic fondant techniques such as quilting, swags,…

Candle Making

Learn how to make candles! This class will teach the basics of color and scents in candles to add onto more complicated designs in later classes. Different substances and themes will be used to help anyone make a candle for any occasion, holiday, theme, or design. (Five classes.)

Drawing (Beginning)

Drawing is the most fundamental form of art and students will explore different techniques on paper using charcoal, pencil, pen and ink etc. They will learn how to look at objects in a contemporary way using traditional materials. Drawing supplies are included for use in class, and the…

Imaginative Gesture Drawing

Students will learn to draw the human figure, applying the concepts of contour, shading, composition, and perspective introduced in Beginning Drawing to the study of the human form. The class will use charcoal and pencil to draw portraits, self portraits, and full figure drawings of models.…

Relief Printmaking

Create your own limited edition and one-of-a-kind colorful prints using traditional methods. You will learn basic carving and printing techniques in linoleum for both press and non-press printing. Paper, ink, and basic tools will be provided for use in class, and the instructor will provide…

Soap Making

Students will learn how to create soap from lye, including mixing the fats, molding the mixture, and adding scents and color. The milling process will be covered, and participants will also learn to make simple glycerine soap in the microwave. All supplies are included in the class price. Please…

Ukrainian Egg Dyeing

Pysanky, derived from a Ukrainian word meaning to write, is the name for eggs decorated using a wax-resist method to create simple or intricate designs. In this one day workshop, students will learn to “write” on their eggs with a specialized…

Zentangle

Zentangle is a form of artistic meditation through a very specific method of deliberate intention that produces non-objective drawings composed of patterns (tangles) that can be viewed from all four sides. Zentangle is about process, not outcome. The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn,…

Ceramics

Beyond Handbuilding

Beyond Handbuilding: Texture. Coiling, and Extrusion

This class assumes you know the basics of handbuilding: joining techniques, the use of templates, properties of clay bodies, basic forming techniques and glazing. This is an intermediate level…

Ceramic Forms and Handles

This class focuses on applying handles to ceramic vessels whether it be for a mug, pot, dish, etc. We will be using both hand built ceramic  handles and various other materials. Students will learn various techniques and styles of handle making along with beginning wheel throwing.…

Glaze Workshop

In this single workshop, students will learn a variety of creative techniques to enhance the results of our glazes, underglazes, and oxides. Participants should bring four bisque-fired pieces to the class. All other supplies are included. (One class.)

Prerequisites:

Handbuilding Basics

Students will learn to fabricate forms by combining simple pinch pots, slabs and coils, as well as shaping hollow forms, texturing the clay surface, and glazing the final product. Glazes, firings, and one bag of clay are included in the class price. Class price adjusted to include…

Handbuilt Teapot Workshop

The teapot workshop is an overview of teapot construction, design and function. This class will show students how to construct teapots using handbuilding techniques, as well as provide valuable insight to the unique challenges that potters face while constructing teapots of various forms (Three…

Raku Potluck

Raku is a dynamic glaze firing process that produces spectacular results. Beginners are welcome in this one-day workshop, where students will learn the basics of raku and participate in the glazing and firing of pre-bisqued pieces. Glazes are included in the class price. Students can bring their…

Tall Throwing

Students will learn how to throw large forms, such as vases and bowls, and how to increase the height of thrown pieces. This is an intermediate level class and has prerequisites. First bag of clay, glazes, and firings are included in the class price. Clay is available for purchase at the Craft…

Wheelthrowing (Beginning)

Instructors will focus on making students comfortable with the kick wheel, so they can learn throw a few basic forms such as cylinders, bowls, and cups. Glazing techniques will also be covered and students can expect to produce some finished pieces. Glazes, firings, and one 25-pound bag of clay…

Flameworking

Flameworking 101

Learn the basics of working with borosilicate or hard glass in this four-class tutorial. You will practice multiple decorative and coloring techniques as you complete several glass objects. Projects include pendants, marbles, and similar solid objects. No prior experience is necessary. Some…

Glass Vessels (Beginning)

Learn the basic skills needed to create and shape hollow glass forms. Students will learn techniques for manipulating borosillicate glass tube–including pulling points, making a punty, shaping a design, fuming metals, and wrapping and raking vibrant color. (Four classes, includes flameworking…

Intro to Marble Making

In this two day workshop students will explore basic marble making techniques including how to gather and mold glass into a sphere. Design techniques will cover internal work such as vortexes and implosions as well as surface work such as dot stacks, pinwheels, and wrap and rakes. Students will…