From the Ground Up - Coiling with Clay
Wednesday 1st - Friday 3rd October 2025
SUMMARY
Jane’s aim is to give students confidence to progress independently and introduce them to the very human, uplifting joys of coiling.
THE COURSE IN DETAIL
This three-day course is devised as an access to those in the earlier stage of their hand building journey. Jane will share her experience as practitioner, lecturer, teacher and Interfaith Minister to guide students through what clay is, how to prepare it, look after it, work with it and refine it. Over three steady-but-full days students will become familiar with clay properties and coiling skills. Learning through demos and practice, students will meet common difficulties and learn how to avoid them.
Students will gain a thorough, gentle and inclusive grounding that will enable them to progress independently. Students will discover what they need, what they don’t, and have a bank of tips embedded by practice.
Course Breakdown
Day 1: Students will ‘Get Started’. Students will learn clay preparation techniques, receive an introduction to clay types and an introduction to pinching and coil-making.
Day 2: Students will ‘Become Familiar’. Students will work with moulds, join clay, work in clay-time, control form.
Day 3: Students will ‘Gain Confidence and Execute Decisions’. Students will learn how to attach handles, refine their skills, burnish and incise.
FIRING
This is an intensive making and refining course and there will be no specific kiln firing during the week. Students’ coiled pieces will be fired following the workshop and ready for collection at a later date.
Please note, there will be a small additional firing charge for final pieces. Details of our firing charges can be found in our Student Contract.
Please read our Student Contract here.
Please also note, we do not offer a glazing service.
About Jane
Jane has worked with ceramics since training as a teacher in art and design in the late 1980s, quickly discovering her passion for handcoiling and natural low-fired decoration. She developed her own resist techniques, exhibiting nationally including Selfridges London, St Ives gallery and Gallery 27 in Cork Street London, represented by Kate Chertavian Fine Art who was then David Bowie’s art agent.
Jane developed her ceramics career as lecturer in Art and Design at Bath College for 15 years, teaching all ability levels.
Jane began training as an Interfaith Minister in 2016, ordained in 2018. After a year teaching in the OSIF faculty she returned to hand building; the core passion of her life and heart of her ministry. Jane’s work now centres on the metaphorical language of clay and the value of making.
THE SCHEDULE
DAY 1 - Arrive 9am Wednesday 1st October
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.
DAY 2 - Arrive 9:30am Thursday 2nd October
On the second day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.
DAY 3 - Arrive 9:30am Friday 3rd October On the final day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 4pm.
A two-course lunch is provided every day. Please inform us of any special dietary requirements at the time of booking.
PAYMENT
This cost for this three-day course is £600. This cost includes all necessary materials, tools, refreshments, a superb two-course lunch every day and a Welcome Breakfast on the first day.
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.
“Clay is my teacher and I work with it as healer and guide. I’m grateful for the conversations and gateways it brings to connect with others, particularly the commissioning of urns for loved ones.”
Date: Wednesday 1st - Friday 3rd October 2025
Duration: Three-day workshop
Venue: The Ceramic Studio (Brenchley)
Class Size: Maximum 10 students
Level: All levels welcome.
Clay type: Earthenware
Cost: £700 (pay in full or in instalments)
