{"product_id":"clay-class-for-beginners","title":"Clay Class for Beginners","description":"\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 128, 0);\"\u003eWith Tutor:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 128, 0);\"\u003e \u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eMel Ford\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eThis is a 6 week course that will run on \u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 128, 0);\"\u003eSaturday mornings\u003c\/span\u003e starting on the \u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 128, 0);\"\u003e2nd of May \u003c\/span\u003eup to the \u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 128, 0);\"\u003e6th of June\u003c\/span\u003e from 9:00am to 1:00pm.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJoin us for a series of 6 relaxed Saturday morning sessions as we explore the dynamic material properties of clay.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eLearn simple hand building techniques to shape and create unique pieces, while enjoying a relaxed and creative atmosphere. Come ready to connect, experiment, and have fun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIn the first 3 weeks you will be guided through a set of simple hand building techniques enabling you to create bowls and other vessels. We will also explore ways to create interesting textural and decorative surfaces using a selection of tools, paper stencils and coloured clay slips.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIn the remaining 3 sessions you will be encouraged to explore your own ideas and develop projects which harness the techniques you have learned. Work at your own pace with discussions and technical input from your tutor as required. Both functional vessels and more sculptural ideas are welcome at this stage. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 128, 0);\"\u003eCourse Structure: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeek 1:\u003c\/strong\u003e  \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eLearn how to make a pinch pot\u003cb id=\"docs-internal-guid-62a89ef7-7fff-5e51-b5da-79cc6147c671\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeek 2:\u003c\/strong\u003e  \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eSlab building\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeek 3:\u003c\/strong\u003e  \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eCoiling\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeek 4-6:  \u003c\/strong\u003eDevelop and extend projects which harness the skills gained in weeks 1-3. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eWeeks 1 - 3 will include explorations of coloured slips and textures applied in a variety of ways.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeeks 5-6 will include the use of glazes.\u003c\/span\u003e Because a final glaze firing for the class will occur after the last session, completed work can be collected from the TLC shop approximately one week after the final class.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 128, 0);\"\u003eSkills You Will Gain:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this course, students will develop practical skills in a range of hand-building techniques, including:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePinch pots\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCoiling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlab construction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGlazing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFiring\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou will learn how to enhance your clay pieces through texture, pattern, and the application of coloured slips and underglazes, and gain an introduction to applying clear glazes to fired work. Students will also explore firing processes for both functional and sculptural forms, helping them understand how different techniques affect the finished piece.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBy the end of the course, students will have created a variety of projects using these techniques, discovered their preferred hand-building methods, and gained confidence in working creatively with clay. The shared studio environment encourages experimentation, idea exchange, and collaborative learning, supporting your growth as a ceramic artist.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 128, 0);\"\u003eWhy Join This Course?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf you’ve ever wanted to work with clay but didn’t know where to start, this class is the perfect introduction! You’ll learn from an experienced ceramic artist, explore hand-building techniques, and gain confidence in shaping, decorating, and glazing your own pieces - all in a relaxed, welcoming studio.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e⭐ No experience needed - beginners welcome!\u003cbr\u003e⭐ Hands-on learning - work with clay using pinch, coil, and slab techniques\u003cbr\u003e⭐ Guidance from an expert tutor - receive personalised feedback and support\u003cbr\u003e⭐ Create functional \u0026amp; decorative pieces - bowls, cups, vessels, or small sculptures\u003cbr\u003e⭐ Fun, supportive environment - enjoy learning with fellow creatives\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 128, 0);\"\u003eWhat You'll Walk Away With:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy the end of the course, you’ll have created a collection of hand-built clay pieces using pinch, slab, and coil techniques and gained skills with surface decoration and glazing. You’ll also leave with a solid foundation in hand-building skills, plus the confidence to keep exploring your own creative direction in clay.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 128, 0);\"\u003eArtist Bio: Mel Ford\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eMel Ford graduated with a BFA from the University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts in 1989 and has spent more than 30 years immersed in creative industries, including theatre and film, community-based art spaces, and as both an artist and educator.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eShe has been a finalist in the Portage Ceramic Awards for over a decade, receiving awards, residencies, and an Honourable Mention in association with this prestigious annual event.  Most recently, Mel received the People’s Choice Award for the 2025\/2026 Portage Ceramic Awards. Her work was featured in Slip Cast – A Survey of Contemporary Studio Ceramics at the Dowse Art Museum, and her ceramics are held in several private collections, including Quartz, Museum of Studio Ceramics in Whanganui.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eSince 2020, Mel has been an elected member of the artist-led space The See Here in Wellington. In 2024 she was selected to take part in the CRNZ-funded Object Maker Aotearoa Fellowship, which will culminate in a group exhibition in June 2026. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.melfordartist.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehttps:\/\/www.melfordartist.com\/\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Get grounded with clay and create objects which will enrich your world. Engage, connect, learn, laugh.\" \u003c\/em\u003e– Mel Ford\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 128, 0);\"\u003eFAQs\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat should I bring?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003ePlease bring an apron or an old shirt to protect your clothes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou’re welcome to bring drawings, photos, or other reference materials for inspiration - these can be helpful, but they’re not essential.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRemember to bring water and snacks to stay hydrated.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat will be provided?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e10kg clay Max Buff 2\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003eTools will be provided but feel free to bring your own if preferred.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003eUse of studio equipment for hand-building and decorating techniques.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan anyone do this class?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThis class is suitable for all levels - for beginners and people with some prior knowledge of clay, who wish to work on their own projects within a friendly, creative clay studio environment. You will have input and guidance from an enthusiastic tutor who will encourage you to take creative risks and think outside the square. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Casual Art Classes at The Learning Connexion","offers":[{"title":"May 2nd - June 6th","offer_id":55608725635145,"sku":"WW26MAY-CCFB","price":380.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0613\/8914\/4137\/files\/e4d8a3b4-ea9d-4104-9081-3e9ca8bb8cba.jpg?v=1775097345","url":"https:\/\/casualartclasses.co.nz\/products\/clay-class-for-beginners","provider":"Casual Art Classes at The Learning Connexion","version":"1.0","type":"link"}