Hand Building Level 1

Ready to dive into the world of pottery? Our Hand Building Level 1 class is the perfect starting point for anyone eager to learn the fundamentals of working with your hands to hand build beautiful masterpieces. Over five engaging weeks, you’ll be guided through everything a budding potter needs to build confidence, skill, and creativity in this skill.

What you'll learn:

Week 1: Pinch Pot Basics & Texture Play

• Techniques: Pinching, smoothing, joining clay.

• Projects:

  • Pinch pot bowls or cups.

  • Experiment with textures using stamps, lace, leaves, or carving tools.

• Focus: Comfort with clay, shaping with hands, learning slip & score.

Week 2: Coil Building & Sculptural Design

• Techniques: Rolling coils, stacking, blending.

• Projects:

  • Coil-built vase, planter, or pencil holder.

  • Option to keep coils visible as a decorative feature.

• Focus: Building taller/larger forms, combining functionality with design.

Week 3: Slab Building & Functional Ware

• Techniques: Rolling slabs, cutting shapes, draping over molds.

• Projects:

  • Slab-built mugs, plates, or trays.

  • Optional decorative tiles, coasters, or wall hangings.

• Focus: Clean joins, structural strength, and introducing form variety.

Week 4: Combining Techniques & Personal Project

• Techniques: Mix pinch, coil, and slab in one piece.

• Projects:

  • Students design their own functional or decorative piece (e.g., lidded jar, sculptural planter, lantern).

• Focus: Creativity, independence, and problem-solving with clay.

Week 5: Glazing & Surface Decoration

• Techniques: Underglaze, resist techniques, brush-on glaze, dipping.

• Projects:

  • Glaze all finished pieces from the course.

  • Learn how glazes interact with clay and how color changes in the kiln.

• Focus: Finishing techniques, surface design, and creative expression.