24-25 October 2024

Come and join me in my beautiful pottery studio in Faversham, a former mineral water bottling factory. Spend two days (10am - 4pm) in a small group of three students experimenting with clay and learning new skills.

On day one, after a welcome, introductions and refreshments, you will learn the basics of this incredible creative material, prepare the clay for the wheel by wedging and kneading, and, with access to your own electric pottery wheel for the whole day, have a go at throwing a selection of small pieces. Demonstrations and guidance will be given, and you can also try out the traditional Leach kick-wheel, which is a wonderful experience.

We will work on learning a series of standard pottery forms, including cylinders, bowls and, depending on your ability, open forms such as plates or platters, or closed forms with lids.

The second day, you will return to the studio to trim your work ready for firing. At leather-hard stage, your pottery forms will have a beautiful firm but flexible texture, perfect for applying the final touches. This will include finishing the bottom of your piece, choosing from a variety of options depending on your ability, including a smooth base, a trimmed foot-ring or a handle.

Before you go, you can choose from a selection of glazes and, once it has dried completely, have one chosen piece glazed, fired and posted to you.

An optional overnight stay is available in the fully-refurbished, very comfortable studio accommodation, should you be travelling some distance. You will need to book this separately.