Raku Weekend workshops with helen rondell

Learn the art of RAKU, and discover this wonderful technique of glazing and firing pots outdoors.

Ceramicist Helen Rondell will be delivering three two-day workshops where students will learn how to achieve a variety of amazing and unique effects on your ceramic objects.

Throughout the workshop, you will be shown how to decorative and prepare your own work to be fired with the different raku firing techniques. You will learn about 'Naked' Raku which is the way Helen fires her own work, where the glaze is removed after the firing.  As well as crackle and reduction glazes you will be able to try copper fuming and horse hair.

By the end of the workshop, you'll have a collection of unique and personalised pieces that showcase your newfound skills.

We will provide all the materials and glazes you need to create these finishes.

Participants will be provided with a delicious light lunch on both days of the workshop, along with refreshments. Please give details of any dietary requirements at the time of booking.


What to bring

We encourage each student to bring up to 6 pots.

• The pots must be bisque fired.

• The size limit is 20cm in height and/or width.

• Vase and bottle forms work best.

If you are unable to bring your own pots then you may purchase bisque fired pots from us on the first day of the workshop. When you come to book you will be asked to confirm whether you will be requiring pots or whether you will be bringing your own. Please tell us this at the time of booking. You will be prompted on the booking form.

If you have any questions about this workshop please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Before you book, please make sure you read our terms and conditions page here.

Key information:

Choose from one of the following dates:

• Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th July 2025 - SOLD OUT

• Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th July 2025

• Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th Sept 2025

Timings: 10am - 5pm (both days)

Location: The Ceramic Studio

Class size: Limited to 10 participants per workshop

Experience: No prior pottery experience is required.

Cost: The two day workshop costs £370 per person (includes tuition, materials, glazes, bisque and raku firing, refreshments and a light lunch on both days).

5-6 July Workshop has sold out

About Helen and her work

Helen Rondell is a UK based ceramic artist who specialises in the Raku firing technique using resist slips.

Helen’s love for raku firing began during her time studying ceramics at North Staffordshire University in Stoke-on-Trent, and was excited by the unpredictable nature of the process. “The surfaces I produce are very tactile, smooth and soft because of the low firing. This is very important to me as I strive to create work that flows and curves – leading the viewer around and through the piece which, being hand-coiled, often evolve during the building process, almost like I’m drawing with clay.”