Introduction to Hand Building with Clay - with Ruth Jones
The Eskdalemuir Community Hub and Old School Cafe, Dumfries and Galloway, DG13 0QJ
Wednesday 10th June 2026 - Wednesday 8th July 2026
Join ceramic artist Ruth Elizabeth Jones for a relaxed and creative six-week introduction to handbuilding with clay. This practical course is suitable for beginners and those wishing to develop their ceramic skills further.
Over six weekly sessions you will explore a variety of traditional handbuilding techniques including pinch pots, coil building, slab work, decorative surface techniques, glazing and finishing.
All materials and equipment are provided.
Course Programme
3 June – Introduction to Clay
What is clay, where does it come from, and a brief look at its long history. Introduction to pinch and coil building using contrasting textured clays. Begin a coil-built pot.
10 June – Coil Building Techniques
Continue developing your coil pot while exploring applied and incised decoration techniques and burnishing.
17 June – Slab Building with Soft Clay
Rolling slabs and working with cylinder forms and press moulds with impressed decoration.
24 June – 3D Slab Forms
Using templates to create slab-built forms including boxes and tealight holders.
1 July – Finishing & Glazing
Complete any unfinished clay work and apply glaze to bisque-fired pieces.
8 July – Final Glazing Session
Complete glazing of slab-built work including colour washes.
Over six weekly sessions you will explore a variety of traditional handbuilding techniques including pinch pots, coil building, slab work, decorative surface techniques, glazing and finishing.
All materials and equipment are provided.
Course Programme
3 June – Introduction to Clay
What is clay, where does it come from, and a brief look at its long history. Introduction to pinch and coil building using contrasting textured clays. Begin a coil-built pot.
10 June – Coil Building Techniques
Continue developing your coil pot while exploring applied and incised decoration techniques and burnishing.
17 June – Slab Building with Soft Clay
Rolling slabs and working with cylinder forms and press moulds with impressed decoration.
24 June – 3D Slab Forms
Using templates to create slab-built forms including boxes and tealight holders.
1 July – Finishing & Glazing
Complete any unfinished clay work and apply glaze to bisque-fired pieces.
8 July – Final Glazing Session
Complete glazing of slab-built work including colour washes.
