Hand Building
Handbuilding pottery is one of the most traditional and accessible methods of working with clay. Unlike wheel throwing, it doesn’t require a pottery wheel, and can be done using just your hands and a few basic tools. There are three main techniques used in hand-building: Pinching, Coiling and Slab Building
Each method can be combined, and handbuilders often use all three techniques in one piece. Handbuilding is ideal for sculpting, textured work, and creating unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. It encourages creativity, giving artists the freedom to explore form without the constraints of a wheel.
Whether you’re just starting or have some experience our skilled tutors will guide you all the way. No previous experience needed.
New 6 Week Hand-building Courses for 2026
Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
We’re proud to announce that for 2026, Cardiff Pottery Workshops has launched a new series of handbuilding courses! With three levels — Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced — each six-week course is designed to help you grow your skills and confidence step by step.
Our six-week Beginners Course introduces you to the fundamentals of handbuilding, providing a strong foundation in essential ceramic techniques. You’ll explore slab building, pinch pots, coil building, press moulds, and push-press methods, as well as slip decoration and dip glazing. Designed for complete beginners or those wishing to refresh their skills, this guided course will lead you through the process of creating your very own tea set.
Please click the button below to book your space. The date shown on the calendar is the start date of your 6 week course.
Our six-week Intermediate Handbuilding Course builds on your foundational skills, helping you refine techniques and take your creativity to the next level. You’ll develop greater precision and confidence as you create more complex forms and projects. This course is ideal for those who have completed the Beginners Course or have prior experience with basic handbuilding methods.
Please click the button below to book your space. The date shown on the calendar is the start date of your 6 week course.
Our six-week Advanced Handbuilding Course is designed for confident makers ready to refine their skills and explore more ambitious forms. Building on established skills, this course focuses on the coil-building technique, guiding you through the creation of two larger vessels — one open form and one closed form. You’ll develop precision, control, and creativity while deepening your understanding of structure and form in handbuilt ceramics, experimenting with advanced surface decoration and finishing methods.
Please click the button below to book your space. The date shown on the calendar is the start date of your 6 week course.
Cardiff Pottery Workshops is excited to announce the launch of a brand-new 6-Week Surface Decoration Course, offering ceramic artists the opportunity to explore a wide range of decorative techniques using coloured slips that can transform their pottery into striking, personal works of art.
Led by studio manager James Lee, this hands-on course will guide participants through an array of processes including paper resist, wax resist, tape resist and shellac resist, as well as transfer and reverse transfer techniques and slip trailing. Students will first build a personal reference library of decorated test tiles before moving on to create a cylindrical piece, incorporating layered effects learned throughout the course.
In addition to mastering decorative skills, students will gain access to an expanded slip colour palette—developed especially for this programme—designed to inspire creative exploration and provide a broad range of hues for experimentation.
Please click the button below to book your space. The date shown on the calendar is the start date of your 6 week course.
1-2-1 Handbuilding Sessions
To book your session please email info@cardiffpotteryworkshops.com, Anna will then send you dates and times available for a session, and will arrange payment.
All 1-2-1 sessions last 2 hours, and prices are as follows:
For 1 person £75
For 2 people £120
For 3 people £180
For 4 people £240
DISCLAIMER:
Classes are non refundable once booked.
Working with clay can be very messy. We supply aprons but it is probably best if you come to the classes in clothes and footwear you don't mind getting dirty. No watches or jewellery to be worn and you may want to tie your hair back in preparation. Cardiff Pottery Workshops Foundation will not be held responsible for any damage to clothing, shoes, jewellery, watches or mobile devices whilst in the studio.
Unfortunately if you miss a class this cannot be taken at a later date and no reimbursement will be offered.
Classes start on time and if you are late you can join the class but time cannot be made up at the end of the workshop.
Classes must be paid for in full.
Please be aware you are in a working studio and due care and attention must be given. Inductions will be given on the equipment you will be using. You must not use any other equipment in the studio. Cardiff Pottery Workshop Foundations will not be held responsible for any injury you may incur if you break the rules of the studio.
We want you to have the best experience during your time in the studio and part of that is making sure all participants comply with our health and safety procedures. You must sign a form agreeing to comply with our Health and Safety practice. The company reserves the right to exclude any participant if they consistently fail to meet any of these conditions.
All work made in classes will be bisque fired and glazed. Please be aware that although every due care and attention is given to every piece we put in the kiln, once inside the kiln we cannot be held responsible for any work that cracks, explodes or is damaged due to another object exploding. This unfortunately, is out of our hands and is part of the many difficulties of working with clay.
We endeavour to have all finished work ready for collection within 5 weeks. After this date we hold all work for a minimum of 12 weeks. Any work not collected after this date will unfortunately be discarded due to minimal studio space. Collection of work is the responsibility of the maker.
All images on the website with our logo belong to Kelly Campbell and are her designs.
Filming is prohibited whilst in the studio during your class.