Learn all the techniques of hand-building/ throwing on the wheel
Plus decoration and glazing techniques
short workshops
6 2 hour weekly courses
Full day courses
Weekend courses
Bespoke workshops
Hen parties (small groups
small group workshops
Courses take place in my beautiful garden studio
Maximum group size - 5/6
Weekend workshops
This hands-on 2 day weekend workshop (10 hours across 2 days) for £192 will introduce you to the versatility of clay, from making functional items like tableware to conceptual sculpture. You will be fully supported in making objects of your choice through group demonstrations and one-to-one guidance, in a fun and friendly studio environment. This course is ideal for a beginner who would like to experience and explore the main techniques of making ceramics through pinching, coiling, slab building and various decoration techniques. There is an opportunity to learn how to throw a pot on the wheel. With practical demonstrations and one-to-one tuition you will be guided through making and decorating a range of ceramic objects. These techniques have the potential to be used to make anything from functional ceramics such as mugs, plates, platters, bowls, cups, planters, to figurative or sculptural works. On the first day you will learn about different types of clay and their uses, how to prepare your clay through wedging, how to pinch a bowl form, roll coils, roll a slab and begin coiling a pot or object of your choice. Lunch included. On the second day you will learn how to roll a slab to build a cylinder, cube shape or object of your choice. You will be shown how to decorate your work with a range of tools and techniques including painting, stencilling, sgraffito and slip decoration. Lunch included. Kiln firing will also be explained and your creations will be fired after the course. Because your work needs to dry and be fired before glazing you will have the opportunity to select a piece of work to be glazed by Elaine after the course, she can also advise you on alternative surface finishes. If you would like to glaze your work from this course, you can bring it along to Elaine's studio to glaze. By the end of this workshop you will have the fundamental skills needed to hand-build in clay and 2-5 pieces of work completed! Light lunch included. Dates in May, June, July and August available, please apply with possible idea of dates. Miniumum of 3 people to run.
one day workshops
This workshop costs £120 and is from 10am - 4pm. This short course covers everything from getting started with clay work, to decorating your pottery or sculpture. This is ideal for someone starting out in learning about pottery and clay. However, it is also suitable for those with experience in clay. We will cover main hand-building techniques; pinch pots, slab building and coil pots and using moulds. There is an opportunity to learn how to throw a pot on the wheel. By the end of the day you will have produced 2-3 small pieces of work and understood the fundamental skills used in pottery. Light lunch included. Minimum of 3 people to run. Please apply with dates in mind.
six week evening/Morning workshops -over 16 years old
Receive individual and group teaching in this 6-week small group (max 6 persons) workshop . The sessions are suitable for all skill levels, so, if you are a beginner or a maker wanting to further develop your practice. I will demonstrate a range of hand building techniques, wheel throwing, surface design and you will learn about different clays and glazing techniques. This will ultimately enable you to develop a personal design led project, whether you want to make sculptural work or tableware. Each workshop is 2 hours long. This is an excellent introduction to pottery and ceramics. Once you have learnt the techniques in the first 3/4 weeks you can then go on to create more independently with guidance from Elaine. Over 60s concessions for morning and afternoon workshops. Price includes tuition, materials and kiln firing. Days can be negotiated.
MORE Workshops dates for October/ November 2022 to follow
Throwing Experience workshops
Each workshop experience is 2.5 hrs long and £54. You will cover the basics of throwing a pot on the potters wheel. This workshop is held as one to one tuition and times and days can be negotiated to your convenience. If you require a series of throwing workshops these too are negotiated pro rata and all completed pieces thrown will be fired and glazed in the kiln. (Max 2 persons)
BESPOKE COURSES
If you have a special request / date for a bespoke course eg Family Celebration, Hen Party, that is not listed, there is an opportunity to negotiate dates etc. with me. Please email for details.