Five Week Ceramics Handbuilding Course

By the end of the course, you will understand all the most important elements of design and construction with clay.



4 x 2.5 hours Class size 1 to 6 guests       £250
London Activities
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Craft
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Pottery
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Clay Sculpture & Hand Building Experience Gifts
Important venue update: All workshops will take place at our new studio at 377 Station Road, Forest Gate.
In this ceramic five week course, you will learn the three fundamental hand-building techniques: pinching, coiling, and slab-building. By the end of the course, you will understand all the most important elements of design and construction with clay so you can create original pottery of your own. These foundational practices are the basis for almost all ceramics made by hand-building.
You can expect to leave with 1-2 larger detailed pieces or a collection of smaller items.
No prior experience in the craft is necessary for this course. It is suited to anyone who is curious to work with clay for the first time as well as those who already have a good knowledge and experience. Our smaller class sizes allow the tutor to spend a higher proportion of their time with individuals who would like deeper insights and to further their skills/understanding.
If you don't know what you want to make, don't worry! We have a range of ideas and objects to inspire the design, and we have excellent assistance on hand for the building of your final piece. Think coffee mugs, teacups, pasta bowls, decorative vases, planters, table jugs, wine carafes, candlestick holders, wall hangings, the list goes on.
We also welcome anyone who already has decided on a design or idea of what they want to achieve for their final piece - the tutor will help configure the session plans to that idea and ensure the course material is relevant! We will all create in a communal space with support and instruction.
Throughout the course, you will learn through discussion, doing, and testing the boundaries to understand the limits of clay - making you a truly resilient potter!
The class atmosphere is friendly and supportive, and you should expect to chat and get to know each other as you work - ideas and encouragement are shared throughout. We can’t wait for you to join!
Course Itinerary
Week 1 Introduction to Ceramics
  • Learn about types of clay and how they differ.
  • Learn the three hand-building techniques (Pinching/coiling/slab-building) and try to push them to their limits.
  • Understand how clay can be reclaimed.
Week 2 Finessing Ceramics
  • Learn about decorating techniques including but not limited to; mark-making, burnishing, simple marbling, inlay.
  • Learn how to attach ceramic pieces together.
  • Understand how to calculate clay shrinkage.
  • Understand what happens as clay dries and why/how it is fired.
  • Share and discuss inspirations.
  • Start prototyping and experimenting for your final pieces.
Week 3 Developing an Idea
  • Fast sculpting mini-project, test your hand-building skills with a fun warm-up exercise.
  • Start working on your final pieces, with guidance and discussion from Sorrel and the group.
Week 4 Finishing Your Vision
  • Finish building your final pieces ready to be fired.
  • Use decoration techniques on your final pieces.
  • Week 5 - Glazing pieces
(This date is not included in your booking and is bookable separately on a monthly basis)
Please note: We strive to help you create something amazing during your pottery class. Because each piece is handmade and involves many variables (such as clay handling, glaze, and firing conditions), we’re unable to offer refunds or replacements for defects or damages that occur in items you’ve made.

Upcoming dates for Five Week Ceramics Handbuilding Course

Times are London time. Dates and prices as of 10 Oct 2026, 6:04am; availability and price are confirmed live when booking on this page.

3 upcoming dates between 19 Nov 2026 and 13 Feb 2027.

  • Thu 19 Nov 2026, 6:30pm-9pm (then the same time each week, for the next 3 weeks)
  • Tue 5 Jan 2027, 6:30pm-9pm (then the same time each week, for the next 3 weeks)
  • Sat 13 Feb 2027, 10:30am-1pm (then the same time each week, for the next 3 weeks)
What you'll get
One large ceramic or a small set of ceramic pieces of their own design
Read more details   
Knowledge required
No previous knowledge needed, this class is also great for those with some ceramic experience looking to build on their skills.
What to bring
Aprons and Materials are provided
Session repeats

This class series runs over 4 consecutive sessions, at the same time every week.

Suitable for

This class is great for individuals and couples as well as for a date idea, team building activity, Christmas party, birthday or hen do.

This experience would also be a unique gift for her, gift for mum, Xmas gift or gift for couples.

Location

Roots and Shoots - 377 Station Road E7 0AB

WE ARE MOVING. This class is at our New Location. A short walk from Forest Gate tube or Wanstead Park overground station.

Five Week Ceramics Handbuilding Course location
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Recent reviews of Five Week Ceramics Handbuilding Course

  • 5/5 from Denise Granville, attended Jul 2026: It was such a good class. We had people who made clocks, coral vases, soap dishes...I made a jewellery bowl, a mug, a lidded pot. Reckon come to it assuming that whatever direction you decide to go, wil be supported by the instructor
  • 5/5 from Chris, attended Jul 2026: What an amazing, lovely experience! Martha is a great teacher and helped create a really encouraging and supportive atmosphere for the class. Overall a thoroughly enjoyable way to unwind after work. Thanks
  • 5/5 from Phyllida Jacobs, attended May 2026: The class was really fun and I learnt a lot! Really accessible and beginner friendly. Would absolutely recommend this class.
  • 5/5 from Sally Tolson, attended May 2026: Very well organised course, the teaching was informative and useful while also being a relaxed and sociable environment! Thanks very much
  • 5/5 from Zolla Jones, attended Mar 2025: I cannot recommend this course enough!! Sorrel is an incredible teacher as she's super patient, knowledgeable, and always ready to answer any question. I learned so much about different handbuilding techniques like coiling, slab building, and joining forms. Her guidance made everything feel approachable and fun.
  • 5/5 from Saniya Saleem, attended Mar 2025: I had such a great experience taking this hand-building ceramics class! As someone new to working with clay, I really appreciated how approachable and welcoming the environment was. Sorrel was patient, knowledgeable, and gave clear, hands-on guidance through each step of the process. One of the things I loved most was the freedom to explore creatively. We weren’t locked into one project, and everyone’s pieces looked totally different by the end, which made the class feel even more inspiring. Whether you're a total beginner or have some experience, I’d highly recommend this class to anyone looking to get their hands dirty, unwind, and make something beautiful in the process. I left with new skills, a few ceramic pieces I’m really proud of, and a strong desire to come back for more. Highly recommended.
  • 5/5 from Lizette Dodds, attended Nov 2024: I had an amazing time. Really enjoyed it and would recommend.
  • 5/5 from Sophie Scott, attended Oct 2024: This course is perfect for beginners or if you want specific help on how to build something. Its also such a nice thing to do on a weekday evening!
  • 5/5 from Molly Hockley, attended Mar 2024: Sorrel has been an absolutely lovely and attentive teacher! I really enjoyed the classes and feel like Ive learnt a lot, I would definitely come back for more! :)
  • 5/5 from Lucy, attended Mar 2024: This is a fantastic course and I'd really recommend it to anyone interested in ceramics or just those wanting to try something new and have fun in the process. I've been interested in hand-building / sculpture in particular for the longest of time, but could never find the right course. This is perfect and I couldn't have hoped for more. Sorrel makes you feel completely at home and answers all of your questions. The introduction to techniques and materials is fun as well as an important grounding, before being given the chance to extend into a final creative project for the last two weeks which I absolutely loved! You're also given help throughout this time which is definitely needed. I was so pleased with the end result. I'm completely hooked now and can't wait to sign up for more courses. If you've read this far, I'd say definitely give it a go, you won't regret it!
  • 5/5 from Harry Moore, attended Feb 2024: had an excellent introduction to handbuilding. The lesson were engaging and the content was instructive. The advice and guidance given by Sorrel was spot on and was picked at the right level for all the participants. I can't recommend enough.
  • 5/5 from Lisa Melis, attended Jan 2024: Really enjoyed this course with Sorrel! We learnt all the key hand building techniques such as coiling, pinching and slab building. We also experimented with different clays and decoration methods. The perfect course to learn foundational skills or to refresh your memory! You also get to work on your own pieces to take home, with lots of support and input. highly recommend!
  • 5/5 from Hailey Bachrach, attended Dec 2023: So much fun, and really educational. It definitely left me excited to keep experimenting and put the things I learned into practice.
Your teacher

Roots and Shoots London
Roots and Shoots London

5.0 (293)

At the Roots and Shoots workshop, we want to help people make and create. We think it's an essential part of a rounded lifestyle; part of the Human Condition. We've got great infrastructure, great knowledge and great people for that.
London Activities
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Craft
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Pottery
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