Skill Share Sessions
At Cardiff Pottery Workshops, we’re committed to being one of the best membership pottery studios in the UK. We offer more than just studio facilities — we provide an environment where you can continue to learn, develop and grow as a maker throughout your pottery journey.
So how does this work?
As part of your 3-month or 12-month membership, you have exclusive access to our programme of free Skill Share Sessions.
There are 12 sessions throughout the year, covering a variety of pottery techniques and skills. Each session offers an opportunity to learn something new, refine an existing technique or explore a different approach to your practice.
Booking is essential. To reserve your place, simply click the schedule link beneath the session you’d like to attend.
Why do we offer this as part of our membership?
We believe that learning never stops. Whether you’ve been making pottery for two weeks or ten years, there’s always something new to discover, a technique to refine or a familiar process to explore in a different way.
Our Skill Share Sessions bring together our experienced tutors and our members to share knowledge, exchange ideas and develop skills in a supportive, collaborative environment. They offer the opportunity to build confidence, broaden your creative possibilities and deepen your understanding of the craft.
By making continued learning part of our membership, we aim to help you get more from your time in the studio and support your development as a potter, whatever stage you’re at.
Skill Sessions Programme
Explore our 12 sessions for the year below.
Session format: Each session lasts between 45 minutes and 2 hours. Some are demonstration-only sessions, while others combine a demonstration with hands-on practice. The format and duration will be outlined in each individual session description.
Please note: these sessions are for Cardiff Pottery Workshop’s 3 month and 12 month members only and are not part of the Taught or Supported membership.
Techniques Covered
Our programme explores a range of hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques, designed to build on existing skills while introducing new methods and creative possibilities.
Topics include surface decoration, glazing techniques, altered forms and throwing manipulation, alongside other approaches to help you expand your technical skills and creative vocabulary.
A programme that evolves with you. We introduce a new set of Skill Share Sessions each year, bringing fresh techniques, new perspectives and ongoing inspiration to your pottery practice.
Please note: Skill Share Sessions are exclusively available to Cardiff Pottery Workshops’ 3-month and 12-month members. They are not included in Taught or Supported memberships.
There will be a new set of sessions annually, ensuring ongoing development, variety and inspiration as part of Cardiff Pottery Workshop’s dedication to lifelong learning.
Classes For 2027 Available Below
Portrait Sculpture
Date: Wednesday 17th February 6pm–7:30pm
Tutor: Kelly
Studio: Llandough
About the Session
A demonstration-led session introducing portrait sculpture techniques: observe step-by-step modelling of facial anatomy, proportion, and expression using clay, from armature setup to refining features. Techniques include additive and subtractive modelling, texture creation, and surface finishing. Participants learn tool use, problem-solving approaches, and guidance for translating likeness into three-dimensional form.
Click on the scheduling link below to book your space: you must be a current member to attend
Handles Handles Handles
Date: Sunday 21st February 10:30 -11:30 (1 hour)
Tutor: Kelly
Studio: Llandough
About the Session
A hands-on demonstration exploring ceramic handles: methods of forming, attachment techniques, and design choices for strength and ergonomics. We’ll cover practical tips—proportions, scoring and slipping, drying stages, and refining joins—to produce attractive, durable handles. Participants will practice making and fitting several handle styles under guidance.
Click on the scheduling link below to book your space: you must be a current member to attend
Throwing Fundamentals
Date:
Sunday 21st Feb 2-3pm
Sunday 11th April 2-3pm
Tutor: Kelly
Studio: Llandough
About the Session
Revisiting Centering, Throwing Cylinders and Bowls (500g): This session consolidates beginner techniques—refining centering, controlled wall thinning, even compression and trim placement—while introducing speed control, consistent throwing rhythm and subtle altering for bowls. Focused practice and instructor feedback builds confidence, precision and readiness to progress to intermediate throwing more quickly. This will be a demonstration session only.
Click on the scheduling link below to book your space: you must be a current member to attend
Screen Printing Transfer and Gel Printing Transfer
Date: Wednesday 7th April 6pm -7:30pm
Tutor: Kelly
Studio: Llandough
About the Session
This demonstration examines creating images with screen printing and gel printing, then transferring those images onto flat clay slabs and three-dimensional forms. You’ll see step-by-step preparation, application, and layering techniques, plus best practices for transferring, firing considerations, and surface finishes. Participants can try both methods; bring one or two leather-hard pieces if you want to apply transfers directly to your own pots.
Click on the scheduling link below to book your space: you must be a current member to attend
Developing Your Own Art Language
Date: Tuesday 25th May 6pm-8pm
Tutor: Paul Wearing
Studio: Llandough
About the Session
Discover the importance of visual art language and how to develop your own. Explore what interests you, your style, and your unique way of working. This demonstration with Paul includes a chance for questions and answers, offering practical insight to help you build confidence and shape your personal creative voice.
Click on the scheduling link below to book your space: you must be a current member to attend
Making Templates from Found Objects or Drawings
Date: Wednesday 14th July 6pm-7:30
Tutor: Kelly
Studio: Llandough
About the Session
This sessions is a demonstration and practice session of making templates from found objects and using them for slab-building. Students bring a found object to recreate in clay. We’ll trace and refine templates, critique designs, then use them to cut and join clay slabs, developing accurate, structurally sound ceramic reproductions through the creation of our templates. we will work small and then scale our templates up (we will show you how to do this) enabling the templates to be developed quickly so that alterations can be made with ease.
Click on the scheduling link below to book your space: you must be a current member to attend
Using Sodium Silicate and Slip
(Throwing and Hand-building Techniques)
Date: Sunday 18th July 10:30am-12pm
Tutor: Kelly
Studio: Llandough
About the Session
This session examines how sodium silicate and thicker slips produce a nitrated surface texture on both thrown and handbuilt forms. Participants will learn safe handling, application techniques, layering, and firing considerations. Practical demos show experimentation with texture, surface variation, and finishing to achieve controlled, durable results. This will be a demonstration session only.
Click on the scheduling link below to book your space: you must be a current member to attend.
Surface and Texture
Date: TBA
Tutor: Paul Wearing
Studio: Llandough
About the Session
This session explores ways to add interest, pattern and tactile detail to pottery, exploring how the surface can transform a simple clay form. Covering both techniques that change the texture of the clay itself and methods of applying decoration to the surface.
Click on the scheduling link below to book your space: you Must be a members @ CPWF
Faceting Thrown Pots
Date: Sunday 5th September 10.30am-12pm
Tutor: Kelly
Studio: Llandough
About the Session
Exploring how throwing informs making through faceting. The demo examines bowls and beakers, focusing on throwing techniques that prepare forms for faceting. Learn how careful wall thickness, profile shaping and opening allow controlled cutting, revealing planes and structure. Practical tips for throwing and faceting will be demonstrated.
Click on the scheduling link below to book your space: you Must be a members @ CPWF
Lino Stamp Making
Date: Wednesday 20th October 6pm-7pm
Tutor: Kelly
Studio: Llandough
About the Session
Learn the basic skills of Lino cutting to make a clay stamp. This Skill Share will demonstrate how to create a personalised clay stamp, including preparing the design, cutting the Lino and creating a clean, reusable stamp for your pottery.
Click on the scheduling link below to book your space: you Must be a members @ CPWF
Throwing Tall Necks and Bottles
Date: Sunday 24th October 2pm-3pm
Tutor: Kelly
Studio: Llandough
About the Session
This session will demonstrate the necessary intermediate skills needed to throw elegant forms through tall necks and bottles. This Skill Share will demonstrate the key techniques for throwing tall necks and bottles, including building height, controlling the walls and creating a narrow, balanced neck. This will be a demonstration session only.
Click on the scheduling link below to book your space: you must be a current member to attend
Preparing to sell at our Makers Market
Date:
Sunday 23rd May 2pm-3pm
Sunday 17th October 2pm-3pm
Tutor: Kelly
Studio: Llandough
About the Session
A talk on how to get ready for selling at a craft market. Covering aspects such as pricing, the types of work you offer, your branding, how to engage with your audience and more. Perfect for members who have applied or are considering applying for a future makers market here at the pottery or elsewhere.