Level 2: Handbuilding

Ready to take your hand-building skills to the next level? Hand Building Level 2 builds on the fundamentals while introducing more advanced construction, design, and surface techniques. Over five weeks, you’ll learn to plan and create more complex forms while developing greater independence and confidence in your work.

What you'll learn:

Week 1: Planning & Templates

• Sketching forms and creating paper templates

• Planning proportion, shrinkage, function, and construction

• Focus: Turning an idea into a workable plan

Week 2: Advanced Slab Construction

• Beveled seams, reinforced joins, fitted lids, feet, handles, and knobs

• Projects: Lidded or keepsake boxes

• Focus: Precision, structure, and professional finishing

Week 3: Complex Slab Forms

• Curved and angled slabs, darts, folds, and multiple templates

• Projects: Teapot, vase, pitcher, casserole, or sculptural vessel

• Focus: Creating more complex three-dimensional forms

Week 4: Building with Extrusions

• Hollow and solid extrusions

• Cutting, altering, bending, joining, and combining with slabs

• Focus: Larger, sculptural, and modular forms

Week 5: Surface & Finishing

• Carving, piercing, Mishima/inlay, texture, slips, underglazes, and glazing

• Focus: Refining your work and using surface design to enhance your finished form