Handbuilding Taster Course

Service Description

This 3-week handbuilding course is a great way to get a taste for handbuilding before jumping into one of our 6-week courses. You'll learn three versatile handbuilding techniques, as well as learning all about glazing in week 3. No previous experience is needed. Handbuilding is ideal if you enjoy shaping and moulding things in a tactile and meditative way. It's great for those looking for a creative way to slow down and shut the outside world out. HOW THE COURSE UNFOLDS: Each week will focus on a different handbuilding technique, leaving you to decide what you make using that knowledge. Week 1: PINCH & COIL - creating small forms such as cups and bowls while learning about thickness and balance Week 2: SLAB - making functional or flat-sided work like plates, boxes, vases, mugs, trays or more Week 3: GLAZE - finishing your pieces and learning how colour and texture come alive in the kiln WHAT YOU CAN MAKE: Depending on your interests, you might create mugs, bowls, plates, vases, planters, candle holders, wall pieces, or small sculptural forms. You’ll be encouraged to experiment and develop your own ideas, with some inspiration from us. STUDIO & FORMAT: Classes are limited to 9 students to keep the studio calm and supportive, with plenty of individual guidance. Each session lasts 3 hours, including clean-up time. EXPERIENCE LEVEL Perfect for complete beginners or improvers looking to grow their skills. If you have some experience, we’ll support you to work at your own level. SOLIDARITY PRICING To keep pottery accessible, we offer three price options. Please choose the one that best fits your circumstances: Low Income: £100 Standard: £110 Lend a Hand: £120 (helps subsidise low-income places) FINISHED WORK Student work will be bisc fired throughout the course, and glazed at the end. 2.5 kilos of fired work is included in the price and any work fired beyond this will be charged at a rate of £6 per kilo. Your pieces will be ready to collect 1–2 weeks after the course ends, once they’ve had their final firing. WHAT TO WEAR Wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy (clay washes out easily). Bring an apron if you have one - we have spares if not. Please note: Participants must be 16+.