Raku Pottery Course

Learn about Raku pottery making and firing in this two part course.



4 hours total (over 2 dates) Class size 3 to 8 guests       £100 (PayPal Pay in 3 available)

Raku is a spectacular Japanese pottery firing method that takes pieces out of the kiln red hot! Get the full experience as you take your piece from clay to kiln and through each incredible step of raku firing.
Over two pottery workshops, you will create some handmade pottery pieces to then put through the raku firing process. Paula, your talented pottery expert and guide through out this course, will share some top tips and tricks on the raku process so you know what to consider as you make your clay creation to give it the best chance of success.
Your pieces will then be fired in Paula's special gas-fired raku kiln. When they are taken out they are then placed in vessels filled with sawdust that ignites on contact. We then put the lid on and let them reduce and cool for a bit before taking them out and quenching them in water (most pieces anyway). The colours and effects you get from raku are stunning and the process is both daunting and exhilarating!
For the firing part of the workshop, you'll be working in Paula's garden as it’s outdoors. It does mean the workshop is weather dependent, but if it is postponed your teacher will find the next best day to try again.
Please note both dates listed but book for the making workshop.
Making at Studio (1–3pm) → Glazing & Firing in Longstanton (from 10am)
8 March → 28 March
7 June → 27 June
6 September → 26 September
All safety equipment is provided (goggles, gloves and tongs) and Paula will run through the details of the firing as we go.
Please note:
The first session which is the making part will take approximately 2 hours. The next session which is the firing part will take 3 to 5 hours in total.
Please book the making date but take note of the firing workshop date so that you're available for both.
What you'll get
  • Safety equipment.
  • All the tools and materials needed to make a raku piece to take home.
Knowledge required
Beginner-friendly. No previous knowledge is needed as I'll show you everything you need to know.
What to bring
Just wear old clothes that can get messy and smelly.
Session repeats

After the first session, the next session is: The firing workshop will be the last Saturday of that month.

Location

5 Rookery Place, Fenstanton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE28 9LZ

The making is at the studio in Fenstanton & the Firing is in my home garden in Longstanton.

Raku Pottery Course location
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Your teacher

Paula Armstrong Ceramics
Paula Armstrong Ceramics

4.9 (11)
female Women-owned

I passionately believe that everyone has the ability to be creative and love teaching because of this. I get a kick out of seeing students’ faces light up when they see a piece they made fresh from the kiln that they love, especially when they weren’t expecting it to work. I have heard too many people say, “I envy you. I’m just not creative.” including some students when they first arrive. Being creative doesn’t mean being good at art and craft. It’s soooo much broader than that (but I won’t go into that here!).
For myself I love trying new techniques and pushing clay to its limits. I often get asked, “how did you make that?” even by fellow ceramicists. The infinite possibilities of clay as a medium appeals to my need to constantly evolve my work and my love of learning and challenging myself. Teaching adds another layer to that.

Paula Armstrong Ceramics is also a ClassBento award winner:

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class 1E57MXLBSX b30fa37a8c654059964d2a78c24cea95 production peterborough Peterborough East Midlands GB peterborough