Workshops
Making ceramics is a tactile, mindful and social experience. My workshops are designed to be relaxed, friendly and rich in ideas and possibilities.
Start your creative journey, grow your skills and connect with others.
Join me to make something unique and beautiful. Workshops are designed for beginners and more experienced makers who need a workspace and a little guidance. Choose the workshop(s) that suits you.
Hand-building Workshop for Beginners
This fun, creative and social workshop is designed to give you the best possible introduction to working with clay. I'll guide you through the process of making a basic form to transform into an object of your choice —you could make a cup, vase, jug, plant pot or sculpture — the possibilities are only limited to your imagination.
I'll help you with the style of the work, creating texture, refining and finishing your work. I'm amazed at how good the works can be, given that students have little or no experience.
During this 2.5 hour workshop we'll cover:
- pinch pot making and/or coil building techniques
- how to transform a basic form into a functional vase, cup, jug, bowl or sculpture
- carving, cutting, shaping and joining techniques
- refinement and finishing
Workshops are small, usually 4—6 people, to give you maximum assistance. They can also be one-on-one, or up to eight people — and are great for individuals, couples, team building, small parties, or a great gift. Workshops are held in Glebe, Sydney or we can organise another venue for larger numbers.
Clay and tools are provided. Bisque firing, a beautiful white dolomite glaze and glaze-firing after the class are also included. Your ceramic work will be ready to collect 2 — 3 weeks after the workshop.
$120 per person
Saturdays 2:30pm — 5pm
Tuesdays 2:30pm — 5pm
Thursdays at 6:30pm — 9pm
Clay Hand Building Workshop
A very fun workshop. It was my first time attending the hand clay workshop, the facilitator Carol was excellent, taking the time to explain and demonstrate the processes and helped us with techniques. She was very warm and engaging.
There were 4 participants and it was the perfect class size. I was thrilled with the design of my 2 cups. A highly recommended workshop.
Jenny W
4 January 2025
Glazing Workshop
This 1.5 hour workshop is a great opportunity to create a specialty finish for your already bisque-fired piece without having to source materials or firing services. I'll introduce you to glazing techniques and guide you through successfully glazing your piece.
During this 1.5 hour workshop we'll explore:
The piece you'd like to glaze in this workshop will need to be bisque-fired before you can glaze it. Bisque-firing is the low-temperature firing that stabilises a piece for safe handling and decoration/glazing before the final glaze-firing at a higher temperature.
Be sure to know which type of clay you have used so we can match it to the correct glaze. It will need to be made from mid-fire, stoneware or porcelain clay. I don't usually fire earthenware — but we can discuss how that might work.
If you don't have a bisque-fired piece, I have pieces available for purchase. Prices range from $30 — $120. You're welcome to bring your own mid-fire or stoneware glazes.
This workshop includes glazes and firing of a small to medium size piece — up to 150 x 100 x 100mm. If you have larger or multiple pieces there's an additional glaze and firing cost — up to $15 for glaze and glaze-firing an additional ceramic piece, and $15 to $25 for larger ceramic pieces, depending on size.
Underglaze, glazes, brushes, tools and glaze-firing 1 piece after the workshop are included. Your ceramic work will be ready to collect 2 weeks after the workshop.
What to bring
Suitable for adults and kids with no experience (minimum 8 years old). I have a Working with Children Certificate. An adult must accompany kids and can observe for free, or better still, join in.
$75 per person (including glazes and firing).
Tuesdays 6:30pm — 8pm
Fridays 2.30 — 4pm
This 1.5 hour workshop is a great opportunity to create a specialty finish for your already bisque-fired piece without having to source materials or firing services. I'll introduce you to glazing techniques and guide you through successfully glazing your piece.
During this 1.5 hour workshop we'll explore:
- what a glaze is, and how they're made
- how to prepare your work for glazing
- how to choose a glaze
- the range of glazing techniques — brushing, dipping, painting and pouring
- how to use underglaze and/or glaze decorate your piece
- finishing and refining your glaze coverage
The piece you'd like to glaze in this workshop will need to be bisque-fired before you can glaze it. Bisque-firing is the low-temperature firing that stabilises a piece for safe handling and decoration/glazing before the final glaze-firing at a higher temperature.
Be sure to know which type of clay you have used so we can match it to the correct glaze. It will need to be made from mid-fire, stoneware or porcelain clay. I don't usually fire earthenware — but we can discuss how that might work.
If you don't have a bisque-fired piece, I have pieces available for purchase. Prices range from $30 — $120. You're welcome to bring your own mid-fire or stoneware glazes.
This workshop includes glazes and firing of a small to medium size piece — up to 150 x 100 x 100mm. If you have larger or multiple pieces there's an additional glaze and firing cost — up to $15 for glaze and glaze-firing an additional ceramic piece, and $15 to $25 for larger ceramic pieces, depending on size.
Underglaze, glazes, brushes, tools and glaze-firing 1 piece after the workshop are included. Your ceramic work will be ready to collect 2 weeks after the workshop.
What to bring
- your bisque-fired piece, ready for glazing — or you can purchase one in the workshop
- an apron and gloves if you have sensitive skin
- any extra glaze you might like
Suitable for adults and kids with no experience (minimum 8 years old). I have a Working with Children Certificate. An adult must accompany kids and can observe for free, or better still, join in.
$75 per person (including glazes and firing).
Tuesdays 6:30pm — 8pm
Fridays 2.30 — 4pm
Carol is the dream teacher: she imparts her extensive knowledge of the skills and techniques required by gently guiding her students to relax and create our own special piece. Her studio is lovely and our time together flew by. Very enjoyable and I will gladly rebook to learn as much as I can from Carol.
Chris Prasad
13 January 2025
4 week Start-up for beginners
Designed to inspire, and ignite your creativity, this 4 week intensive gives you the skills and knowledge to start making fabulous ceramics works. It's social, fun, rich in ideas and possibilities, and packs a wide range of ceramic hand-building techniques into just 4 sessions. I'll share my tricks and accumulated knowledge to help you make refined, beautiful, elegant and functional ceramics.
Week 1: Pinch pot method with texture
I'll guide you through the process of transforming simple pinch pots into a larger cup, vase, jug or lidded bowl . . . your choices are infinite. You'll also explore a range of texture possibilities for your finished piece.
Week 2: Slump mould bowl, perforating, sgraffito and stamping
You will be guided you through the process of using a mould to make a bowl, or platter — or something else that inspires you. We'll also experiment with perforation (making holes), sgraffito decoration techniques and use stamps to create pattern and texture on the surface of your work.
Week 3: Coil-building a vessel and pressings
You'll can explore coil-building a larger vessel, vase or bowl. I'll guide you through pressing botanicals or textured materials onto the surface your work to decorateand/or create texture.
Week 4: Glazing
I'll introduce you to glazing techniques and guide you through successfully glazing your bisque-fired pieces made in weeks 1, 2 and 3.
We'll explore:
During this 4 week start-up course you will:
All materials, tools, bisque- and glaze-firing are included.
$420 per person
Wednesdays 6:30pm — 9pm
Designed to inspire, and ignite your creativity, this 4 week intensive gives you the skills and knowledge to start making fabulous ceramics works. It's social, fun, rich in ideas and possibilities, and packs a wide range of ceramic hand-building techniques into just 4 sessions. I'll share my tricks and accumulated knowledge to help you make refined, beautiful, elegant and functional ceramics.
Week 1: Pinch pot method with texture
I'll guide you through the process of transforming simple pinch pots into a larger cup, vase, jug or lidded bowl . . . your choices are infinite. You'll also explore a range of texture possibilities for your finished piece.
Week 2: Slump mould bowl, perforating, sgraffito and stamping
You will be guided you through the process of using a mould to make a bowl, or platter — or something else that inspires you. We'll also experiment with perforation (making holes), sgraffito decoration techniques and use stamps to create pattern and texture on the surface of your work.
Week 3: Coil-building a vessel and pressings
You'll can explore coil-building a larger vessel, vase or bowl. I'll guide you through pressing botanicals or textured materials onto the surface your work to decorateand/or create texture.
Week 4: Glazing
I'll introduce you to glazing techniques and guide you through successfully glazing your bisque-fired pieces made in weeks 1, 2 and 3.
We'll explore:
- what a glaze is, and how they're made
- how to prepare your work for glazing
- how to choose a glaze
- the range of glazing techniques — brushing, dipping, painting and pouring
- how to use underglaze and/or glaze decorate your piece
- finishing and refining your glaze coverage.
During this 4 week start-up course you will:
- create at least 3 beautiful ceramic pieces
- learn 3 essential ceramics hand building techniques — pinch pots, slumping, and slab building
- learn professional tips and tricks for hand building with clay
- learn how to add texture to clay surfaces
- experience the ceramics making process and how to ensure successful work.
All materials, tools, bisque- and glaze-firing are included.
$420 per person
Wednesdays 6:30pm — 9pm
Open Studio Projects
(or Hand-building for Intermediates)
When you have some experience and confidence in making, join 3 hour Open Studio Projects where you can mainly work at your own pace to make your own self-directed ceramic projects — perhaps a dinner set, set of cups, sculptural projects or ongoing making. You'll have my guidance, assistance and support as you need it.
This weekly group workshop encourages generous sharing of ceramics experience, ideas, experimentation, knowledge and fun. You’ll also learn new ceramics skills, techniques and tips and hints to successfully complete your projects. You can try out different clays, glazes, tools, techniques and even gold lustres.
If you don't have any experience, I recommend that you do my 4 week Start-up for Beginners (see above). Learning these basic skills you'll be ready to come along.
In these workshops:
Firing of work made in these workshops is an additional charge.
$75 per person
1pm — 4pm Thursdays
(or Hand-building for Intermediates)
When you have some experience and confidence in making, join 3 hour Open Studio Projects where you can mainly work at your own pace to make your own self-directed ceramic projects — perhaps a dinner set, set of cups, sculptural projects or ongoing making. You'll have my guidance, assistance and support as you need it.
This weekly group workshop encourages generous sharing of ceramics experience, ideas, experimentation, knowledge and fun. You’ll also learn new ceramics skills, techniques and tips and hints to successfully complete your projects. You can try out different clays, glazes, tools, techniques and even gold lustres.
If you don't have any experience, I recommend that you do my 4 week Start-up for Beginners (see above). Learning these basic skills you'll be ready to come along.
In these workshops:
- you'll have individual attention and the opportunity to learn from others
- the workshop is mall with up to four people per class
- you'll have help to plan your project and assess skills and materials needed
- help to develop your design ideas
- help to refine your making skills
- recommendations for clay types, glazes, testing and tools that may be needed
- guidance you through your project from beginning to end
- address ceramics skills gaps
- drawings or inspirational images to get us started
- the clay, glazes, materials and any specialty tools you'll need for your project
- an apron or wear clothes you don't mind getting dirt
Firing of work made in these workshops is an additional charge.
$75 per person
1pm — 4pm Thursdays
Carol is an amazing teacher and guide and patiently took me through the three hour class. It was great talking to her and I really enjoyed working on my ceramics!
Anu Mishra
13 January 2025
4 weeks of Drawing for Beginners
Contrary to what we're led to believe — anyone can learn to draw.
All things are made from a few basic geometric forms — sphere, cone, cylinder and cube. Once you can draw those, and with some practice, you can draw anything. In these 4 workshops we begin with these ideas, learn to more closely observe light and form, and build from there.
Developing drawing skills are foundational to painting, sculpture, illustration and design and a great skill to have to explore you ideas. Join me in this mindful small group workshop.
During this 4 week workshop we'll cover:
Materials are provided. Workshops are small, usually 3 — 4 people, to give you maximum assistance.
You can also request a one-on-one session, or group sessions of up to eight people.
These workshops are great for individuals, couples, team building, small parties, or a great gift. Workshops are held in Glebe, Sydney or we can organise another venue for larger numbers.
$360 per person for 4 weeks
Wednesdays 2:30pm — 5pm
All things are made from a few basic geometric forms — sphere, cone, cylinder and cube. Once you can draw those, and with some practice, you can draw anything. In these 4 workshops we begin with these ideas, learn to more closely observe light and form, and build from there.
Developing drawing skills are foundational to painting, sculpture, illustration and design and a great skill to have to explore you ideas. Join me in this mindful small group workshop.
During this 4 week workshop we'll cover:
- materials and types of drawing
- observing light on objects
- line and tone
- how to simplify different forms and structures
- creating the illusion of space
- negative space
- perspective
- proportion and composition
- how to draw realistically
Materials are provided. Workshops are small, usually 3 — 4 people, to give you maximum assistance.
You can also request a one-on-one session, or group sessions of up to eight people.
These workshops are great for individuals, couples, team building, small parties, or a great gift. Workshops are held in Glebe, Sydney or we can organise another venue for larger numbers.
$360 per person for 4 weeks
Wednesdays 2:30pm — 5pm
Was such a fabulous class. So much fun! Carol was patient and helpful, guiding us who have beginners experience and allowing us to be as creative as we like. Would recommend to anyone!
Alex Evans
1-on-1 Practice Development and Mentoring
Art practice mentoring includes discussion and development of your work and artistic concerns, exhibiting, awards, artist branding/marketing + more, in person or Zoom.
HSC Project Mentoring
Mentoring helps HSC Art students to stay on track to deliver their work, refine their ideas, and assist them with technical and creative aspects to complete their HSC Art Project.
Art practice mentoring includes discussion and development of your work and artistic concerns, exhibiting, awards, artist branding/marketing + more, in person or Zoom.
HSC Project Mentoring
Mentoring helps HSC Art students to stay on track to deliver their work, refine their ideas, and assist them with technical and creative aspects to complete their HSC Art Project.