hand building

While we primarily operate as a wheel-throwing studio, we also offer a selection of hand building workshops for those who want to explore a different way of working with clay.

Hand building is the process of making pottery without using a wheel: you can pinch, coil and roll to create almost any form you can imagine. Given the lack of reclaim associated with these techniques, the hand building sessions will harness and explore the innate qualities of different coloured clay.

Our hand building workshops cater for a range of abilities, from complete beginners to more experienced makers looking to develop new skills. Our hand building workshops are run by the incredible ceramicist, Joelle Davis. Please note, participants must be over 18+ years.

TINY ANIMALS

Beginning by choosing your base colour clay, you will sculpt a tiny animal from beginning to end. It can very much be a real animal, but fantasy is always welcome…

£55/session.

  1. DECORATION (31st October): Create a series of hanging ornaments for the tree with a focus on decoration techniques and underglaze application - afterwards glazed in a transparent glaze.

  2. TEXTURE (7th November): Build your own miniature winter scene, creating a collection of tiny solid clay houses and trees - perfect for a windowsill, mantelpiece or festive table. You’ll work with a selection of different coloured clay bodies and choose from our festive, wintery glazes, exploring how the same glaze can transform and respond differently to the clay beneath it.

  3. FORM (14th November): Combining pinching techniques and Joelle’s iconic animal figurines, make pair of reindeer salt and pepper pots. The pot will be glazed white and finished with gold lustre.

Each session is £60 each and there are 11 people in each class. You can opt in for just one, or book all 3 for £162 using via the Christmas in Clay bundle. All your pieces will be glazed by Joelle and finished before December 1st, ready to join your Christmas decks!

CHRISTMAS IN CLAY

3 part hand building series. Saturday afternoons 2pm- 4.30pm.