Handbuilt Ceramics – 5 Week Courses
The Clay Haven is now offering two alternative courses, an introduction course for beginners and those new to working with clay and an intermediate course for those who want move move beyond the basics and are ready to deepen their skills or experiment with new techniques
Introduction to Handbuilt Ceramics
Curious about pottery but not sure where to start?
This welcoming 5-week introduction course is designed for complete beginners and those new to working with clay. Across five sessions, you’ll explore a range of handbuilding techniques and create your own collection of ceramic pieces while learning the foundations of making with confidence.
Each week introduces a new process and builds your understanding of how clay behaves — from forming and joining through to surface finishing and glazing. With demonstrations, guidance and plenty of time to experiment, you’ll leave with practical skills and finished pieces to collect and use.
Over five weeks we’ll explore:
✨ Week 1 — Slab Building | Make Your Own Mug
Learn the fundamentals of handbuilding using slabs of clay. You’ll create your own functional mug while exploring construction, joining techniques and finishing details.
✨ Week 2 — Pinching & Coil Building | Create a Vessel
Discover two of the oldest ceramic techniques and combine them to create a unique vessel. We’ll explore form, shaping and building upward with confidence.
✨ Week 3 — Sculpting Forms
Move beyond function and explore clay as a sculptural material. Learn how to shape, add and refine forms to create expressive decorative pieces.
✨ Week 4 — Independent Project | Design Your Own Piece
Bring together everything you’ve learned to create your own project with tutor support. Whether functional or sculptural, this session is all about developing confidence and making creative choices.
✨ Week 5 — Decoration & Glazing
Complete your work with glazing and decorative techniques. Learn how colour, texture and finish transform clay into finished ceramics ready for firing.
This course is designed to give you a strong foundation in ceramics while creating a relaxed and encouraging space to learn, make and explore.
No previous experience needed — perfect for complete beginners or anyone wanting to reconnect with creativity through clay.
You will receive three fired, glazed makes included within the course price, Additional items you wish to have fired and keep will be charged separately.
Starting 5th July
Sunday morning 10:30
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Intermediate Handbuilt Ceramics Course — Develop Your Style in Clay
Ready to move beyond the basics and start creating work that feels more like you?
This 5-week improvers course is designed for makers who already have an introduction to working with clay and are ready to deepen their skills, experiment with new techniques and begin developing their own creative voice.
Each week introduces a new process and encourages exploration, problem solving and personal design choices — with plenty of support along the way. Rather than following set outcomes, you’ll build confidence making more independently and creating pieces that reflect your own ideas.
Over five weeks we’ll explore:
✨ Week 1 — Pierced Ceramics | Make Your Own Lantern
Learn the art of cutting light into clay. We’ll explore slab building and piercing techniques to create atmospheric lanterns and sculptural forms that transform when illuminated.
✨ Week 2 — Surface Decoration
Experiment with ways to bring personality and texture into your work through slip trailing, sgraffito and surface impressions. Discover how decoration can become part of the design rather than an afterthought.
✨ Week 3 — Designing Templates & Working in Series
Learn how to develop and adapt your own templates to create two matching pieces. We’ll explore proportion, repetition and what makes a collection feel cohesive.
✨ Week 4 — Independent Project | Create Your Own Piece
Bring together the techniques and ideas from previous weeks to design and make your own piece with tutor support. This session is all about creative development and making choices with intention.
✨ Week 5 — Glazing & Finishing
Complete your work with glazing and decorative finishes. Explore colour, surface and final details to bring your ideas to life.
This course is ideal for makers who want to move from learning techniques into developing confidence, creativity and their own style in clay.
Suitable for those who have completed an introductory pottery course or already feel confident with basic clay construction techniques.
Starting 18th June, Thursdays 10:00 to 12:30
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