As her hands worked skillfully at the wheel and the clay transformed before 40 amazed children, local potter Lisa Ingram could only watch their reactions and be thankful to be able to do what she does.

Ingram recently took her pottery wheel and clay to Mount Berry Square Mall as part of the mall’s Summer Fun Days series of events.

Having done demonstrations at local and regional arts and craft shows before, as well as demonstrations at kids camps, Ingram said she’s comfortable showing pottery to kids and relishes the opportunity to bring pottery to a new audience.

“It was sort of a lesson, you could say,” Ingram said. “I showed them how to make a pot with their playdough and demonstrated on the wheel.”

Ingram spoke to the kids, who ranged in age from seven to 14.

Ingram said she was encouraged by the children’s fascination with the clay and wheel as they came together to create a form they recognized.

“I would take requests,” she said. “The first request I got was for a turtle. But when I explained that I wanted to demonstrate simple forms, then they started asking for things such as a vase, a pitcher, a bowl. I did all the basic objects.”

Ingram even showed the kids what happens when a pot falls apart during the process.

“It’s important for them to know it doesn’t always go as planned. It takes a lot of practice,” she said. “We like to say it’s like playing an instrument. The first couple times you’ll play a note, then you’ll put the notes together and eventually you’ll play beautiful songs. It’s the same concept. You get better over time.”

All the kids were given home-made playdough by mall staff so they could create objects of their own as the demonstration took place.

Later, the kids were given playdough to take home, along with the recipe for making more of it using readily available household ingredients.

“They made fruits and animals and all kinds of neat things,” Ingram said. “I love when I see people connect with pottery for the first time. Some of those kids had never ever seen pottery being made before.”

Ingram teaches pottery classes to adult groups at Earthworks Pottery on Second Avenue. She said at the age of five, a child should be able to grasp the basic skills needed to take pottery lessons which are catered specifically to each age group.

But whether she’s teaching a lesson or creating a bowl or vase that may someday adorn a Rome home, Ingram said she is simply happy to create.

“I am so blessed to be able to do this as a livelihood,” she said. “This is my dream and it’s what I get to do all day. I share that with the kids. You can do whatever you imagine.”

To see Ingram’ at work or for more information about her upcoming shows and classes, visit online at potterybylisa.com which includes a “Classes” page which is updated regularly.

Ingram’s visit to Mount Berry Square Mall was just one of its Summer Fun Days series which also included a Cupcake Day, Arts and Crafts Day and its Summer Games.