HAND-BUILDING — 4 Day Intensive Intermediate Level (some experience required)
Dates: 16 November - 20 November 2026 (excluding Tuesday 17 November
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 slow down, deepen your practice, and explore what becomes possible when making is approached with care and intention.
Designed for intermediate makers, this course moves beyond repetition and into refinement. Together, we'll focus on developing a deeper understanding of form, structure, and the subtle relationship between your hands and the clay.
Guided by experienced potter Sasa, you'll be introduced to the essential principles of sculptural hand-building through demonstrations, discussion, and personalised support. Rather than concentrating on producing finished pieces, this course is about building knowledge, confidence, and a stronger foundation for your future work.
Throughout the four days, you'll explore how larger and more ambitious forms can be created with balance and integrity. Sasa will share insights from her own studio practice, helping you understand the delicate art of constructing both open and enclosed forms while recognising the natural limits of the material.
You'll learn practical techniques for:
- Building larger forms with confidence
- Maintaining structural balance and strength
- Managing moisture, timing, and wall thickness
- Extending working time without compromising the clay
- Preventing common issues such as cracking, warping, and collapse
- Refining your touch and developing a more intentional making process
This course is for those ready to step beyond the familiar — makers who are curious about forms that lean, stretch, breathe, and quietly challenge expectations.
Course Goals
Over four immersive days, you'll be supported to grow your skills thoughtfully and at your own pace. Together, we'll explore:
- A welcoming introduction to the studio environment and materials
- Techniques for creating larger hand-built forms
- Understanding balance, scale, and structural integrity
- Moisture control, timing, and construction strategies
- Solutions to common challenges encountered in larger builds
- Personalised feedback and guidance throughout the making process
Experience Level: Intermediate
A basic understanding of clay handling and hand-building is recommended.
What's Included
Everything you need to settle in and begin creating:
- 10kg of BRT clay
- Full access to studio tools and equipment
- Use of studio aprons
- Demonstrations, guidance, and personalised support from Sasa throughout the course
Additional clay is available for purchase if you'd like to continue building or begin creating your own studio toolkit.
Firing Information
- First (bisque) firing included
- Up to one-third kiln shelf space included
- Additional kiln space available for a small fee, depending on size
- Glaze firing charged separately
Glaze firings — including high firing without glaze — are charged at $15 per kilogram and payable upon collection of your finished work.
What to Bring
- Comfortable clothing you don't mind getting messy
- Closed-toe shoes (required for safety)
- An apron (or borrow one from the studio)
- A notebook for sketches, ideas, and observations
- Lunch or snacks for the day
And most importantly:
Curiosity. Patience. A willingness to explore.
Herbal tea and fresh rainwater will be available throughout the course, so make yourself at home.
Studio tip: Short nails make working with clay much easier.
After You Enrol
You'll receive a confirmation email containing:
- Course dates and times
- Studio address
- What to bring
- Additional course information
Your confirmation email will also serve as your receipt.
Terms & Conditions
As places are limited and the course runs across four consecutive sessions, we are unable to offer refunds for missed classes.
If you cannot attend a session, we'll do our best to arrange a make-up class where possible, subject to availability.
Should you require additional studio time after the course to complete your work, extra tuition can be booked at $30 per hour.
Ready to Join Us?
Slow down.
Work with your hands.
Discover new possibilities in clay.
Meet like-minded makers, deepen your understanding of hand-building, and create work that feels uniquely your own.
We look forward to welcoming you into the studio.