Clay Journey: Shape, Fire, Glaze

With Tutor: Mel Ford

This course will run on Saturday Afternoons from 25th October to 6th December from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.
(Excluding Sat 22nd Nov, when we will have our TLC Open Day)

Join us for a series of 6 relaxed Saturday afternoon sessions as we explore the dynamic material properties of clay.

Spend six Saturdays exploring the joy of clay. Learn 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.

In the first three 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.

In 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. 

Course Structure:

Week 1:   Learn how to make a pinch pot

Week 2:   Slab building

Week 3:   Coiling

Week 4-6:  Develop and extend projects which harness the skills gained in weeks 1-3. 

Weeks 1 - 3 will include explorations of coloured slips and textures applied in a variety of ways.

Weeks 5-6 will include the use of glazes. 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.

Skills You Will Gain:

In this course, students will develop practical skills in a range of hand-building techniques, including:

• Pinch pots
• Coiling
• Slab construction
• Glazing
• Firing
  

You 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.

By 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.

Why Join This Course?

If 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.

⭐ No experience needed - beginners welcome!
⭐ Hands-on learning - work with clay using pinch, coil, and slab techniques
⭐ Guidance from an expert tutor - receive personalised feedback and support
⭐ Create functional & decorative pieces - bowls, cups, vessels, or small sculptures
⭐ Fun, supportive environment - enjoy learning with fellow creatives

What You'll Walk Away With:

By 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.

Artist Bio: Mel Ford

Mel 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.

She 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. 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.

Since 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 2026. Most recently, Mel has been invited to travel to Jingdezhen, China, to participate in the city’s renowned ceramic art market.

https://www.melfordartist.com/

"Get grounded with clay and create objects which will enrich your world. Engage, connect, learn, laugh." – Mel Ford

FAQs

What should I bring?

• Please bring an apron or an old shirt to protect your clothes.
• You’re welcome to bring drawings, photos, or other reference materials for inspiration - these can be helpful, but they’re not essential.
• Remember to bring water and snacks to stay hydrated.
  
  

What will be provided?

• 10kg of Stoneware Clay will be provided.
• Tools will be provided but feel free to bring your own if preferred.
• Use of studio equipment for hand-building and decorating techniques.
  

Can anyone do this class?
This 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.