What you'll learn
Learn to create with clay in one of our pottery short courses in Sydney!
Join our creative and fun pottery & ceramics course and learn how to hand-build pots, cups, bowls, vessels and plates out of a lump of clay.
This hand-building course introduces students to the five fundamental hand-building techniques such as pinching pots, coil building, slumping in or over moulds, slab building, and coil and pinch.
Explore the mindful craft and learn best practices when designing anything in clay. Gain an understanding of the medium and learn how to glaze your work. You will be able to learn all about the different glaze types and techniques that are available as well as know how to create some decorative effects on your beautiful project.
With assistance, you will start a simple self-initiated pottery project using the techniques learned over the first weeks of the course.
By the end of this course, you'll have learned foundational hand-building techniques and created a variety of unique pieces. To continue your growth, consider enrolling in the Pottery & Ceramics Course: Hand Building Intermediate for more advanced techniques and exploration of different types of clay.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this pottery and ceramics hand-building course, you should be able to:
- Understand how to design and plan your project
- Use different hand-building techniques
- Create different decorative effects
- Understand the fundamentals of clay including the drying process
- Prepare and apply glazes
Course content
What will be covered in this pottery course?
Week 1 - Pinch Pots
Learn to make a small pot, a simple cup, or a bowl by hand while learning to handle and understand clay. This class will introduce you to the fundamentals of clay, drying, firing, and hand-building. The pots will be bisque-fired, then glazed in week 3 or 4.
Week 2 - Coil Building
Learn to make larger and shaped vessels using coils, an ancient (and still widely used) hand-building technique. The vessels will be bisque-fired, then glazed in week 4 or 5.
Week 3 - Slumping in or Over Moulds
Using rolled-out sheets of clay, create new items from existing plates and bowls. In this class, various glaze types, decorative effects, and glazing techniques will be discussed. The vessels will be bisque-fired, then glazed in week 5 or 6.
Week 4 - Slab Building
Learn how to join rolled-out sheets of clay to create geometric forms and vessels. The vessels will be bisque-fired and then glazed either in week 6 or after the course.
Week 5 - Coil and Pinch
Learn how to make larger vessels using the age-old technique of coil and pinching. We will also discuss your individual project to be started in the next session. The vessels will be bisque-fired and then glazed after the course.
Week 6 - How to Design Functional Ceramics and Individual Project
Learn best practices for designing with clay. With assistance, you'll start a simple self-initiated project using techniques learned during the first 5 weeks of the course.
Upon completing the course, you can retrieve your projects from the Rozelle Office after they've been bisque-fired and glaze-fired. You'll receive an email notification when they are ready for collection.
Intended audience
Who is this pottery course for?
This course is for absolute beginners or students with minimal working knowledge of ceramics.
Course materials
Materials provided
All the necessary materials are provided, including:
- One bag of clay
- A beginner tool kit
- A limited variety of glaze colours will be available for use during class.
- The firing of your projects
*If you have a specific colour theme preference, you're welcome to bring your own stoneware glazes.
Additional information
Please note the following:
- Please don’t wear your best clothing! Clay will wash out, but it’s better to wear some older clothes
- If you have long hair, please tie it back
- Wear closed-in shoes
- Following the course's completion, your projects will undergo bisque-firing and glaze-firing. You will receive an email notification when your stoneware is ready for collection from the Rozelle office.
- While rare, pottery pieces may break or explode during the kiln firing process. Precautions are taken to minimise this risk.
- Students must collect their pottery within one month after firing completion and notification.
Course testimonials
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Cailyn said: The course was great and Carol was a brilliant teacher. We covered a range of hand building techniques over the 6 weeks and Carol was always happy to assist, answer questions and provide helpful tips. The only issue was that the clay we were supplied with was very wet, and was difficult to work with as beginners. I would love another course following on from this introduction, to revise and refine hand building techniques and learn more about design, sculpting and making patterns, working with different clay types and glazing etc.
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Jo said: Freedom to work at your own level and choose your own projects. Carol was a great teacher who gave plenty of encouragement and guidance.
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Takis said: The course provided the opportunity to develop ceramic handbuilding skills in an enjoyable, relaxed atmosphere, largely due to the tutor, Carol.
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WADED said: Carol is a fantastic tutor. I really enjoyed the course. I will definitely recommend
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Emma said: Carol was so lovely and we had so much fun doing this course :)
Course tutors
Carol Hudson
Great reasons to enrol in a short course with us
Small classes
A personal approach means quality learning, so you can enjoy plenty of interaction with your instructor and the chance to ask questions.
Short & sweet
Our short courses & workshops get straight to the point, providing the skills you need with minimal commitment of your precious time.
Facilities & equipment
Our range of venues suit every type of course, are easy to get to, and have the equipment and tech needed to support your learning.
Easy, secure enrolment
Enrol online 24/7 with a safe, convenient 3-step process, and you can change your mind up to 7 days before class starts.
Quality instructors
Our educators bring first-hand experience and knowledge, with up-to-the-minute practices from diverse industries.
Business or pleasure
Our courses help you rapidly increase your skills and knowledge, for professional development or personal interest.
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Classes Online Courses
<p>Learn to create with clay in one of our <a href="https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/courses/handcrafts/pottery">pottery short courses</a> in Sydney!</p>
<p>Join our creative and fun pottery
...If there isn't a class to suit you, please join our waitlist and we will notify you when we have places available. Join waitlist for Pottery & Ceramics Course: Hand Building
If there isn't a class to suit you, please join our waitlist and we will notify you when we have places available. Join waitlist for Pottery & Ceramics Course: Hand Building