Clay Pottery Class - Hand Built Mug

Build and design your own fully food & dishwasher safe durable stoneware mug.



2 hours

Class size 1 to 4 (public classes), 2 to 8

  £54 - £60 (£60 per guest when you book for 1 guest, £57/guest for 2 guests, £56/guest for 3 guests, £54/guest for 4+ guests) (PayPal Pay in 3 available)

Hand building with clay can produce satisfying and functional results quickly for those with less clay experience, whilst offering the very positive experience and well being benefits of handling this remarkable & ancient material.
In this two hour session I am going to guide you through the studio process of correct clay prep, template cutting & print / impression to create your own design. You’ll learn effective construction & joins so your very personal mug will be fully functional and a favourite. Don’t worry about what your design will be, I’ll help you create something that’s really personal to you and often hunt down just the right tool that will help. Bring your own stamps or choose from my huge collection to create pattern, messages, scenes, lyrics.. the only limit is your imagination.
Your finished fired and glazed work will be fully safe to use with hot drinks and dish washer safe. Stoneware doesn’t chip easily so this new favourite mug will be enjoyed for many years.
Request your own dates and timing, [I reply quickly] and book for yourself or build your group, it gets cheaper as you book more places, up to four.

Please note: Public dates for this class require at least 2 guests to run. In the unlikely event that we don't reach this number, we may cancel the session; if that happens, we'll inform you and let you choose between a refund or reschedule, so please watch your email/SMS one day prior to the class.

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Save £6 when you book with a friend
What you'll get
You will make one stoneware mug, which will be around 450ml capacity & glazed in a neutral that suits any interior.
Knowledge required
This is suitable for complete beginners but more experienced clay makers will also develop skills.
What to bring
You are very welcome to bring your own apron [or use mine] but you won’t get hugely messy and clay brushes off.
Suitable for

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

Suitable for adults, and kids (minimum 8 years old).

An adult must accompany any attending kids, and must pay for a separate ticket.

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


FAQ

This seems sociable, is it suitable for a larger group?
Yes! I have taught up to 12 in an additional space which is v close to my space at Thames-side. This allows for desk space each but also for a table for setting up drinks or snacks etc.
What’s the difference between throwing and hand building?
Throwing is on a potters wheel. You sit up to the machine and use the spinning forces to shape and lift the clay. You’ll get results at your first session but not necessarily the shape you were after.. that takes years and years of learning and practice. Hand building is a way of constructing pottery without the wheel. I use mostly slabbing, so rolling very even slabs which are compressed, rotated and lifted correctly to avoid warping and cut accurately and cleanly. Much easier to learn as a beginner and results can be a lot more functional as long as easy steps in construction and joining are followed.
I’m after a well being activity but I’m not really very arty, will this be suitable?
Of course, this session is about working with an earthy natural material with documented well being benefits when it is worked. I will guide your process and show you how best to use simple stamping devices within the functionality of the construction and design to create your own work with no blank space anxiety here! There will be time and encouragement to discover your own design by experimenting with shape & pattern flow.
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If I round up my friends can we bring drinks with us?
There will not be any toxic materials that would compromise any food or drink consumed. Keeping in mind that this is a working environment I am also very welcoming of you enjoying your class in your own relaxed way. I have glasses here for four.
I’m keen to have neutrals in my flat, what colour will my work be glazed?
We are working with a clay body that is biscuity coloured when fired. I use a universally successful and reliable and food safe white glaze and a highlight technique to show off your mark making or text, we can discuss.
I love making things but where do I put it all?
This is going to be a fully functional mug, so will be easy to use at home, office, allotment, where ever! It will be durable, food safe and you can safely bung it in the dishwasher too.
Can I add text and dates?
Yes, often text is added as commemoration, jokes, special dates and so on. This would make a great land mark Birthday or celebratory event present.
Location

Thames-Side Studios Woolwich, Warspite Road, London

Address: Thames-Side Studios, London, SE18 5NR By Car: There is free parking on-site, so you can easily drive to the studio. Enter SE18 5NR into your GPS; allow a few extra minutes for traffic if needed. By Train: The nearest station is Woolwich Arsenal (DLR and National Rail). From the station, it’s about a 10–12 minute walk to the studio. By Bus: Bus routes 51, 53, 54, 96, 161, 177, 180, 472 stop near Woolwich Arsenal. Walking from Woolwich Arsenal Station: Exit the station and head east toward Hare Street. Turn right onto Hare Street, then left onto Thames Street. Continue along Thames Street until you reach the studio on your right-hand side. Tip: Arriving early gives you a chance to enjoy a short riverside stroll before the workshop begins.

Clay Pottery Class - Hand Built Mug location
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Your teacher

Fiona Veacock Ceramics
Fiona Veacock Ceramics

5.0 (6)
female Women-owned

I am an experienced and friendly full time potter with a lovely working space within a vibrant makers creative community right by the Thames. I combine teaching privately and in community spaces with making hand built stoneware homewares for local sale at markets and in prize winning retailers. My ten years’ of teaching has included welcoming many individuals to my studio but also included primary to university level students, whole school arts week projects, SEN students, reach out for adults, adult and young person homeless and carers’ groups. This year I have formalised my teaching with a level 3 qualification, and also I love it, I really enjoy teaching.
It’s brilliant sharing the joy of clay work and the excitement of producing something personal or functional, & that’s even before explaining the miracle that glazing can achieve. At the end of class it’s satisfying to show the kiln and how the clay will progress through the process. And while it is such a pleasure to teach clay skills it’s also important to acknowledge the the well-being benefits, my small group classes allow for peaceful and companionable immersion in making or for a fun group when booked out by friends.
Come and share the clay! #ClayIsOurWay

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class 1E57MXLBSX b30fa37a8c654059964d2a78c24cea95 production london London London GB london