Hand-building Pottery Course
Sculpture, useful household items, and prize-worthy studio art can be created with hand building. Learn how in an evening or daytime pottery course. They run throughout the year in my cosy studio in West Sussex.
Pottery for Beginners to Advanced Students
Hand-building techniques are doable for all abilities. Nobody is really a beginner. Yet the results are sophisticated and desirable. Classes are small enough to ensure lots of one-on-one instruction – yet large enough for lots of fun socialising.
Learn a wide variety of building and decorating techniques
The joy is in the making! My courses are technique-driven so that you experience a wide variety of things you can do with clay. I lead with a project and students can follow along or create their own. Through 4 or 5 projects, you will learn how to pinch, coil, and slab clay. In the process, you will work with templates, clay tools, rollers and stamps. We decorate with a wide variety of techniques from maiolica to slip trailing to oxide washes.
“I encourage my students to respect what happens when hand meets clay – both the wonky and the wonderful.”
Students’ Testimonials
Great for your mental health!!
“I thoroughly enjoyed my 5 week hand building course with Julie. I found myself looking forward all week to my Wednesday evenings where I could relax and be creative. It was a perfect group size and a relaxed environment. Julie was extremely supportive and encouraged us to have fun and love any imperfections. She is a brilliant teacher. The projects covered various hand building techniques/decorating and glazing methods. I made a mug, pen pot, money bank and tray. I will be returning! “
Jenny
I really can’t wait for my next course
I’ve just finished my first course with Julie and already thinking about my next! Julie is an amazing teacher and it was fascinating watching everyone’s creations take shape under her watchful eye ( she has unlimited patience!)
Jacquie
Thoroughly enjoyable!
A delight. In fact so good, I (and another person) went round for a second introductory course, as that was the only time available that suited me. Informal weekly meeting under Julie’s helpful, enthusiastic guidance. Even though this was my second introductory course, she had thoughtfully changed the course content just enough for us to be encountering new challenges at every lesson.
Jon
Can highly recommend it!
I learned so much whilst having a ton of fun 🤩. Would and will join again.
Ben
The classes have been great fun too.
I thoroughly enjoy this course, in fact I’ve done two and will be doing more! I learnt so much about hand building with clay.
Nicky
The classes are nice and homely.
I have done a few terms here since moving to the area and will definitely be doing more. Lovely relaxed class and you make so many great things – pots using different techniques, mugs, butter dishes, jugs, clocks! I thoroughly enjoy each class and Julie the teacher is amazing. She is very experienced and really friendly.
Joanne
Definitely recommend!
Julie is a fantastic teacher. We had a lot of fun and managed to make a variety of pots that were good!
Jacqui
Fantastic teacher and course!
Have done two courses with Julie and thoroughly enjoyed both. Already planning to do more
Suzanne
I enjoyed it so much I have now been on 4 courses
“My first course was bought as a gift and i enjoyed it so much I have now been on 4 courses. I would highly recommend for anyone interested in ceramics, no matter what your experience. Julie is really talented and provides excellent support to all students. Look forward to coming back again soon”
Tracey
The group was great fun.
“I loved the 5-week course. The group was great fun. I hadn’t done any pottery since school but that didn’t matter and I was pleasantly surprised with the pieces I produced under Julie’s excellent and patient guidance. “
Emma
Recent Pottery Blog Posts
- Short Courses
Gnomes and Mugs for £75Take a short course in the run up to Christmas. You can make a gift for somebody or give one to yourself. Christmas Gnomes£75 Tuesday Evenings, 6:30 – 9:3025 November2 December This gnome is approximately…
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- Sponge Printing
This is a very old decorating technique that the Scots did particularly well. There are potteries still using traditional motifs but it can also be used to create more modern or abstract patterns. Find a design you like…
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- CLOCKS
May 2025 Course Homework Try to make a clock that means something to you. It can be inspired by your pet, your garden, your football team, a holiday, or your sweet old Aunt Rose. You can find ideas…
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Gnomes and Mugs for £75Take a short course in the run up to Christmas. You can make a gift for somebody or give one to yourself. Christmas Gnomes£75 Tuesday Evenings, 6:30 – 9:3025 November2 December This gnome is approximately… Read more: Short Courses
