Echo Ceramics

Hand Building – Vase, Nerikomi Cup & Terracotta Candle Stick

This TWO SESSION workshop will introduce basic hand building techniques to create small functional pieces. Starting with terracotta clay participants will design a small candle stick holder inspired by organic forms. Further learning will develop through rolling and joining slabs to form a small decorative vase with feet. The final piece will be a food safe cup made using a Japanese technique called Nerikomi. This is a technique that combines stained clay to create contrasted decoration within the white body of the clay.

Session 1 & 2: 3.5 Hours, includes a break
BYO snack and drink

This workshops includes the following:
– Clay: Walkers Stoneware #10, Terracotta Earthenware
– Glazes: Mayco, Amaco and Walkers dipping clear glazes
– Bisque Firing
– Glaze firing
– Worked examples of projects to follow along with
– Studio notes
Please be aware that finished ceramic pieces can take 3 weeks to dry and fire. There is also a risk of breakage although all measure of care will be taken.

Introduction to Wheel Pottery – Beginners 

This workshop offers an introduction to potter’s wheel techniques, structured over four weeks. Here’s a brief overview of what to expect each week:

– **Week 1: Wedging and Centering**
– Learn to prepare clay by wedging and practice centering your clay on the wheel, a core concept for successful pot throwing.

– **Week 2: Wiring Off, Centering, Pulling Sides**
– Develop skills in wiring off completed pieces from the wheel and continue practicing centering. Start pulling up the walls of your pots to form shapes.

– **Week 3: Designing a 300g Form for the Wheel**
– Focus on creating a specific form using 300g of clay. This week is about refining your technique and understanding design principles.

– **Week 4: Trimming for Bisque Firing**
– Learn how to trim your pots for a polished finish and prepare them for bisque firing.

Participants are encouraged to embrace the learning process, understanding that not every piece will be kept.

Introduction to handbuilding

This workshop series aims to introduce beginners to hand building clay methods. Starting at a very basic level, participants will be introduced to slab construction, pinch pots and basic carving techniques to construct basic functional forms like cups, dishes and plates.
You can book into one or all of the sessions, each session will complete one object.
Session 1: Pinch Pot Coffee cup
Session 2: Slab formed Shell Bowl
Session 3: Slab Plate
Session 4: Terracotta Object
All forms created will be clear glazed, fired and returned at a later date; this process can take up to 3 weeks. Part 2 of the workshop series will be focused on basic wheel throwing, this method takes a lot of practice and patience therefore dates for this will be released in 2025.