Beginner

5-Week Handbuilding Course

$400.00

6 in stock

A friendly 5-week introduction (or re-introduction) to handbuilding.

Across 5 weeks, you’ll explore the core techniques of pinching, coiling, kurinuki, and slab-building to create bowls, mugs, plates, and pouring jugs. You’ll also get to play with surface decoration — carving, scoring, and joining — before wrapping it all up with a glazing session.

This course is specially designed to be beginner-friendly and also great for anyone looking to revisit the slower, sculptural side of clay. Class size is capped at 8 pax to provide close guidance.

Duration
One class per week, 2.5 hours each

What you’ll bring home
Up to 6 finished pieces
(Extra pieces and firings can be added for a small fee)

All bookings are final — no refunds, swaps, or cancellations.

Read Before You Book

Important Policies:

Spots are first-come, first-served. We don’t hold slots or run waitlists.
Each course needs at least 3 people to commence. If we don’t hit that, we’ll refund you in full.
Fired pieces must be collected within 2 months of your final class. We don’t send reminders, and uncollected pieces may be discarded after this period.

Things to Prepare:

Keep nails short
Clay can get messy (but don’t worry, it washes off easily!). Bring your own apron if you’d like.
If this is your first time, you’ll need to purchase a basic tool kit from us (required for class).

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week 1: Pinching Basics

Get familiar with the clay and learn the fundamentals of building with just your fingers to create cups and bowls

Week 2: Coiling

Build larger forms by honing the skills to properly layer coils
Option to make vessels to store items, and liquids, or planters with a hole at the base

Week 3: Slab-Making

Roll, cut, and assemble slabs to make flatware - think trays, plates
Be playful with surface decorations techniques to create your unique pieces!

Week 4: Kurinuki

Learn to carve, and build a piece from the outside in! Make sculptural toothpick holders, and ring boxes!

Week 5: Glazing Day

Learn the basics of glazing and how different finishes can transform your pieces
It’s a chance to play with colour, texture, and layering using Studio Tomo’s in-house glazes
Introduction to underglaze application - add colours to your pieces!

Firing & Collection Policy

Your pieces will be ready about 3–4 weeks after your final glazing class. Once they’re out of the kiln, you’ll have 2 months to pick them up.

Do note:

We don't send reminder email, please check your course email for the period to collect your pieces
Uncollected pieces may be recycled or cleared after 2 months to make space

Need more time or special arrangements? Just write to us at hello@studiotomo.xyz. We’ll do our best to work something out with you.

Reschedules & Replacements

Life happens—we get it. Each student may arrange:

One make-up session during Weeks 1–4
One separate glazing make-up (Week 5), held later

Make-ups are subject to our schedule and instructor availability. If you need to miss a session, email us at hello@studiotomo.xyz and we’ll try our best to help you catch up in future classes.

Can’t make the course at all? You may transfer your entire spot to a friend (they must attend all 6 sessions). Just drop us an email to sort it out.

I’ve never touched clay in my life. Can I join?

Absolutely! This course is made for beginners, and will guide you step-by-step through the basics.

What should I bring to class?

Short nails, comfy clothes, willingness to learn. Clay gets messy (but washes off easily). Bring your own apron if you’ve got one!

If it’s your first time, you’ll need to purchase a basic tool kit from us—it’s required for class and yours to keep.

What if I miss a class?

We get it, life happens. You’re allowed:

* One make-up session between Weeks 1–4*
* One glazing make-up (separately scheduled)

Just email us as early as you can, and we’ll do our best to slot you in. No-shows without notice are a bit trickier, so give us a heads up.

*Subject to availability of slots on other course days

When do I get my finished pieces?

We’ll fire your work after class ends—it usually takes 3–4 weeks. You’ll have 2 months to collect your pieces. We don’t send reminder emails, so pop it in your calendar! Unclaimed pieces might get cleared to make space.

Can I pass my slot to a friend if I can’t make it?

Yep! You can transfer your full booking to someone else—as long as they’re taking over all 6 sessions. Unfortunately, mid switches are not allowed as this is a structured course. Just email us with their name before the course starts.

5-Week Handbuilding Course