HAND-BUILDING — 4 Day Intensive Intermediate Level (some experience required)
Dates: 14–18 September 2026 (excluding Tuesday 15 September)
Days: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Time: 10am – 1pm
Location: Federal Village, Byron Hinterland
Ready to Take Your Hand-Building Further?
This four-day intensive is an invitation to deepen — not to rush.
A space to move beyond repetition and into refinement.
Here, hand-building becomes a practice of attention. You’ll learn to listen — to the clay, to your hands, and to the quiet intelligence of form as it unfolds.
Guided by experianced potter Sasa, this course centres on thoughtful making. Through intimate demonstrations and tailored guidance, you’ll explore the core principles of sculptural hand-building: balance, scale, and structural integrity.
This is not a course about producing finished pieces. It’s about building understanding. Each session opens a new layer of knowledge — equipping you with the confidence to work larger, slower, and with greater clarity.
Sasa shares insights from her own practice, revealing the subtle art of constructing both open and enclosed forms. You’ll learn to recognise structural limits — and how to approach them with intention rather than force. Techniques for extending working time, refining touch, and preventing cracking or collapse will become part of your evolving toolkit.
This course is designed for those ready to move beyond the predictable —
for makers drawn to forms that breathe, lean, stretch, or quietly resist.
Course Goals
This course is designed to support you as you grow — gently, thoughtfully, and with intention. Together, we’ll explore:
- A warm introduction to the studio space and materials
- Techniques for building larger forms with confidence
- How to find and maintain structural balance in your work
- Managing moisture, timing, and wall thickness
- Practical ways to avoid common challenges in bigger builds
- Ongoing, personalised feedback during guided hand-building sessions
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Intermediate (basic understanding of clay handling recommended)
What’s Included
Everything you need to settle in and start creating:
- 10kg of clay (BRT or WR) + full use of studio tools
(Extra clay is available to purchase — a great chance to begin building your own toolkit) - Use of studio equipment and aprons
- Expert guidance and support throughout the course
Firing Details:
-
First (bisque) firing included
You’ll have up to 1/3 kiln space — additional space is available for a small fee depending on size -
Glaze firing charged separately
Glaze firings, which include high firing without glaze, are calculated at $15 per kilo, payable upon collection of your finished work.
What to Bring
- Comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting messy
- Closed-toe shoes (essential for safety)
- An apron (or feel free to borrow one of ours)
- A notebook to track your clay journey
- Snacks or lunch to keep you going
And most importantly:
Curiosity, patience, and a willingness to explore
We’ll have herbal tea and fresh rainwater ready for you — help yourself and settle in.
Pro tip: Short nails make working with clay much easier.
After You Enrol
Once you’ve signed up, you’ll receive a confirmation email with everything you need to know:
- Class dates and times
- Studio address
- What to bring
This email will also serve as your receipt.
Terms & Conditions
Please note: our classes are small, same day, same time for 4 days. Unfortunately, we can’t offer refunds if you’re unable to attend. If you miss a class, we’ll do our best to offer a make-up session — subject to availability.
If you require additional time in the studio after the course, to finish your work, extra tuition is available at a rate of $30 per hour.
Ready to Join Us?
Take a breath.
Slow down.
Get your hands into clay.
Meet new people, learn something new, and create work that feels entirely your own.