hand built tableware
Monday 2nd - Friday 6th June 2025
SUMMARY
This intensive week-long course is designed for both beginners and intermediate potters who want to explore hand building techniques and create their own handmade tableware or dinner set.
THE COURSE IN DETAIL
Students will learn the fundamentals of working with clay, including pinch, coil, and slab building methods, before moving on to creating tableware using a one-piece plaster hump mould. The course will cover the entire process from concept and design, to the creation and finishing of your own hand built pieces.
Lilly will guide students through all aspects of the building process giving each student plenty of individual attention.
Course Breakdown
Day 1: Introduction to clay & basic techniques
AM: Lilly will lead a discussion on the importance of handmade tableware and its creative potential before talking about different types of clay and their properties. Students will then be given an introduction to basic hand building methods: pinch pots, coil building, and slab construction. Students will start to create simple forms using pinch, coil, and slab techniques.
PM: In the afternoon students will receive an overview of plaster and its properties. Lilly will demonstrate how to create a one-piece plaster hump mould and students will create their own moulds. Student will also continue to work on, and refine, their forms created in the morning.
Day 2: Introduction to using a plaster mould
AM: Students will demould their plaster moulds and allow to dry. Students will then begin to research and plan their tableware sets. Using books, reference materials and the internet, and through drawing and sketching, students will discuss ideas with Lilly as to how best to approach their sets and which techniques to use.
PM: Students will start to hand build their pieces from concept and drawings. Lilly will demonstrate rolling slabs, texturing, and forming over the mould.
Day 3: Hand building
AM & PM: With Lilly’s guidance students will continue creating their pieces, using their chosen technique(s). Lilly will demonstrate how to refine the forms using trimming techniques, adding foot rings, smoothing edges etc, as well as making handles and other attachments.
Day 4: Forming & refining pieces
AM & PM: Lilly will give an introduction to decorative techniques using carving, slip trailing, sgraffito and inlay. Students will practice surface decoration on their pieces and will continue forming additional pieces for their dinner set.
Day 5: Drying, finishing & course wrap-up
AM: Lilly will guide students in inspecting and refining their pieces for consistency and quality. Students will finish pieces and add final decorative elements.
PM: Lilly will lead a discussion on the next steps: bisque firing, glazing, and final firing (for students to complete independently) as well as a Q&A session covering troubleshooting, advanced tips, and personal project planning.
FIRING
There will be no specific kiln firing during the week, however, students’ dinner sets will be fired following the workshop and be ready for collection a few weeks later.
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 Lilly
Lilly Maetzig is the maker behind Mae Ceramics, which started in New Zealand and moved to London in 2016. She now is based in a studio on the River Thames in South East London.
Lilly first experimented with ceramics in 2011 whilst at art school, where she learned how to slip cast and make sculptural work. After graduating, she worked from a shared studio, which is where she fell in love with the art of wheel thrown ceramics.
She has spent a number of years working on the craft, and is passionate not only about well crafted, well designed ceramics, but also about teaching pottery. Her first book, Handbuilt: A Modern Potter's Guide To Handbuilding With Clay, was released in 2023, and her second book Thrown: A Modern Potter's Guide To Working With Clay On The Wheel in late 2024. Additionally, Lilly creates frequent YouTube videos covering pottery and business lessons. She also has a full hand building course for beginner potters on Domestika.
THE SCHEDULE
DAY 1 - Arrive 9am Monday 2nd June
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 Tuesday 3rd June
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 Wednesday 4th June On the third day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.
DAY 4 - Arrive 9:30am Thursday 5th June On the fourth day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.
DAY 5 - Arrive 9:30am Friday 6th June 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 five-day course is £1,100. 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.
Date: Monday 2nd - Friday 6th June 2025
Duration: Five-day workshop
Venue: The Ceramic Studio (Brenchley)
Class Size: Maximum 10 students
Level: All levels
Clay type: Stoneware
Cost: £1,100 (pay in full or in instalments)
