Hand Building and Sculpture
Garden Ornaments
Hand building sculpting with clay is calming, meditative, and rewarding. Just using your hands and a ball of clay (and some simple tools) you will create a unique, organic shapes.
We love garden ornaments inspired by seed heads and bird or bee baths.
For seed heads, the basic skill is pinch pots, joining and adding texture and surface interest. The shape is your choice, but we have some ideas to inspire you!
For bird baths, we start with a shallow dish and add interest and texture.
The clay we use for thus is stoneware; durable and frost proof. If you choose to make garden ornaments they will suitable to be left in your garden summer and winter.
Sculpture
If you want to sculpt a small figure or animal we will use crank clay which is strong and robust, and designed for the process. It has a toasted honey colour, and a slightly rough texture.
On one session you'll be able to make a small figure, with some personality and character!
You have some options for decoration - traditional glazing may not be the right choice for a sculpture.
Houses
You can make a wide variety of masterpieces with your hands and a slab of clay (and a few other tools!)
A tealight house
Our house tealight holders are very popular - use a standard form, or be inspired to recreate your own home!
You will be using the fundamental skill of slab building, joining and adding texture and surface interest. The end result is your choice, but we have some ideas to inspire you!
Jugs & Mugs
A creative jug is so useful for gravy, custard, or to show off a beautiful bunch of flowers.
You can use shape and texture to create something totally unique.
When?
Sculptural and hand building workshops run on Friday and Saturday mornings.
The session is 2.5 hours, from 10-12.30. This is quite a short time, so don't be too ambitious with what you would like to make.
The session includes one finished piece. If you would like to make more they are £5 each.
If your project is larger you can always come back for a second session to refine and complete - it's no fun to rush things. (If you are coming back for a follow-up session you will be eligible for 20% discount on the place.)
Useful Info
You will find that the hours soon go, aided by a nice cuppa and relaxing music in the background.
You can make whatever sculptural form you are interested in. This will be wet at the end of the session. It needs to be left to dry, and can then be either glazed in one of our studio glazes, or you can come back to decorate in your own style later.
We have a large work table area with space for up to six people. So that will be the maximum building at any time.
Please wear comfy old clothes. Hand building is not messy, but you will get clay dust on your hands.
Ideas Gallery
