Hello! I'm looking to pick up a hobby that I can do with my hands and that is artistic, after a few days of reading, thought, and pondering my interest level, I narrowed it down to pottery and blacksmithing. Strangely, regardless of how artistic the end product is, I really don't think my neighbors (while a fair distance away) would appreciate either the smell of burning coal in a forge or the sound of a hammer ringing off an iron and anvil, so I figure I had better head down the pottery route to prevent run ins with the police or pitchfork wielding neighbors :).
While I have gotten alot of very good information from other newbie posts here the one reoccurring thing I notice is that everyone suggests classes. I too believe classes are a good way to start almost any new endeavor, but while searching the web I have been unable to come up with any classes in the NE Ohio area (Canton/Akron specifically), perhaps I am overlooking them or perhaps I'm just having a slow moment or searching for the wrong things.
I personally have never touched a potter's wheel in my life nor do I have any idea how to glaze my finished product, so I definitely need to start at pottery 101. I do work from 7:30am-4:30pm m-f, but am available on weekends pretty much anytime. I live in the Canton area (44730) and would be willing to travel up to 100 miles. If anyone could give me a resource that has a listing of classes in my area or knows of any classes specifically in the near future, I would greatly appreciate the help.
If I am unable to find any classes in my region, how would you suggest I proceed?
If I missed any obvious posts in the newsgroup related to these issues, sorry just point me in the right direction, 1500 posts is alot to take in at once :)
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