3-Week Handbuilding Taster

Service Description

This 3-week handbuilding course is the perfect introduction to working with clay before committing to one of our longer courses. Across three sessions, you’ll explore a range of handbuilding techniques - pinch pots, slab building, and glazing - giving you the chance to create and finish your own ceramic pieces from start to finish. No previous experience is needed, and complete beginners are very welcome. SCHEDULE Week 1: PINCH POTS In the first session, you’ll learn the foundations of handbuilding through pinch pot techniques. Using simple hand-forming methods, you’ll explore shape, form, and texture while creating functional or sculptural pieces. Week 2: SLAB BUILDING In week two, you’ll be introduced to slab building techniques, learning how to roll, cut, shape, and join clay slabs to create larger or more structured forms. Week 3: GLAZING In the final session, you’ll glaze your pieces and discover how colour, texture, and surface finish transform through the firing process. WHAT YOU’LL MAKE Depending on your interests and experience, you might create cups, bowls, plates, candle holders, planters, wall pieces, small sculptures, or decorative objects. Handbuilding offers plenty of freedom to experiment with both functional and sculptural forms. STUDIO & FORMAT Classes are kept small, with a maximum of 10 students, creating a calm and supportive studio environment with plenty of individual guidance from tutors. Each session lasts 3 hours, including clean-up time. EXPERIENCE LEVEL Suitable for complete beginners, as well as improvers looking for a shorter refresher course covering the full ceramic process. If you already have some experience, we’ll support you to work at your own pace and level. SOLIDARITY PRICING To help keep pottery accessible, we offer three pricing options. Please choose the rate that best reflects your circumstances: Low Income: £100 Standard: £110 Lend a Hand: £120 - helps subsidise lower-income places FINISHED WORK The course fee includes up to 1kg of finished fired work. Additional firing will be charged at £6 per kilo. Your pieces will be ready to collect approximately 1 week after the course ends, once they’ve completed their final firing. WHAT TO WEAR Pottery can get messy, so we recommend wearing comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting clay on. Clay washes out easily. Please bring an apron if you have one. We also have spares available at the studio. PLEASE NOTE Participants must be aged 16 or over.