Express yourself with clay

and learn new skills

Even if you haven’t got access to a pottery kiln, you can learn pottery skills at home with air dry clay. Its fun and therapeutic. What’s more you can work on the look and feel for your own collection or play around with ideas or creations.

This course will take place over 5 weekly sessions  and is suitable for people of all levels and abilities. Families or individuals are welcome.  Prior to the workshop start, we’ll post out a basic pottery kit with some air dry clay. Participants with access to a pottery kiln can choose to work with clay for kiln firing.

Each week we’ll take you through a series of exercises and the main hand building techniques pinch pot, coil and slab as well as how to make cups, bowls, vases or small ornaments and sculptures. We’ll cover topics such as surface decoration,  joining techniques, moulds, how to make spouts and handles as well as topics specific to kiln fired pottery including glazing, firing. Participants will also be  encouraged to use a sketchbook to develop design concepts or ideas and will be coached in design development and sketchbook skills. To support development we’ll also include contextual studies to build a growing awareness of ceramics and at the end of each session participants can upload their creations for feedback.

Course overview:

main handbuild techinques: pinch pot, coil and slab
tools and equipment
how to make a bowl, mug and vase
handles and spouts
how to create footers
joining techniques
surface decoration
press moulds and different types
design development and how to be inspired
sketchbook use and basic research
contextual studies
additional hints and tips for air dry or kiln firing clay

Kit Contents:
Mat,
Rolling Pin
Wooden pottery tools
Wire for clay cutting
Sticks
1kg Air Dry

Kiln firing services: