decorative spoons
Hand building spoons with porcelain and stoneware - one-day workshop
Monday 12th May 2025
SUMMARY
Learn to use porcelain and stoneware to make a range of unique decorative handbuilt spoons and quirky utensils - explore techniques such as slab rolling, using press moulds, using slip decoration and coloured clay to create different and exciting designs.
THE COURSE IN DETAIL
This one-day spoon making course provides an opportunity to work with Elaine to explore the delight to be found in making spoons and small decorative objects in clay.
You will be introduced to techniques for hand-building with clay to make spoons of your design. The course aims to cover a variety of ways to make a spoon form, looking at:
• How different ideas can be expressed.
• How different techniques and materials can work together.
You will have a chance to work with:
• Porcelain
• Stoneware
• Coloured clay
You will explore various hand building methods including:
• Pinching
• Slab rolling
• Joining using scoring and slipping techniques
• Using simple moulds
• Slip decoration
The workshop is suitable for all levels including beginners. The subjects covered and ideas shared aim to encourage and develop a set of skills and enthusiasm for continuing to make decorative items in clay.
Your work will be fired for you and either left unglazed or glazed with a simple clear glaze finish.
Please note, there will be a small additional firing charge for final pieces. Please see our Student Contract (below) for details.
About elaine
Elaine Sheppard Bolt is a ceramic artist working with clay and mixed media, creating pieces and compositions guided by a sense of narrative and steeped in the context of her local surroundings. Her work incorporates both porcelain and found objects to create mixed media wall pieces as well as hand-built and thrown porcelain vessels.
Elaine has an MA in Ceramics from UCA Farnham and has many years teaching experience. She works from her studio in Sussex where she also teaches throwing and hand building techniques. Elaine exhibits her work widely in galleries and specialist craft events across the UK.
THE SCHEDULE
Arrive 9am Monday 12th May 2025
Welcome Breakfast (from 9am - 10am). The session will start at 10am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.
A two-course lunch is provided. Please inform us of any special dietary requirements at the time of booking.
PAYMENT
This cost for this one-day course is £250. This cost includes all necessary materials, tools, refreshments, a welcome breakfast and a superb two-course lunch.
You can pay in full or pay a deposit by clicking on the ‘Book Now’ button above. If you choose to pay a deposit we will contact you to arrange paying the remainder of your balance in instalments.
Before you book a course, please make sure you read our terms and conditions page here.
Please also read our Student Contract here.
TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION
The Ceramic Studio is located on a beautiful orchard in Brenchley, and there are lots of lovely surrounding towns and villages offering numerous places to stay.
We are happy to arrange transits to and from your accommodation to the studio for the duration of your course. Please get in touch to arrange this. Please email the office team at info@theceramicstudio.co.uk. To see examples of local accommodation, click here.
Date: Monday 12th May 2025
Duration: One-Day workshop
Venue: The Ceramic Studio (Brenchley)
Class Size: Maximum 10 students
Level: The workshop is suitable for all levels including beginners
Clay type: Porcelain and stoneware
Cost: £250
