What are Tailored Workshops

We create a programme for yourself or your group and agree the date and price. A large variety of alternative firing techniques are available for you to pick and mix for your workshop, which could be one or two days. Possible techniques are - Naked Raku (One Step) - aka slip resist raku; Naked Raku (Two step - aka glaze resist raku); Horsehair/Feather raku; Copper Matt; Obvara; Paper Slip Saggar; Ferric Chloride fuming; Soluble Salts; Kosai; Flash Firing. Two Step Naked Raku and Paper Slip Saggar are only suitable for two day workshops. Workshop programmes can also include a module on burnishing techniques and how to make and use terra sigillata

How to go about it

Once you have got a group interested in this concept, and happy to come to Worthing, the process starts by you contacting me to talk about the details. This involves arranging a date, starting our discussion about the possible programme, and to agree a cost for the group. These discussions often go back and forth a bit as you, the Group Leader, negotiates with the group to finalise the programme content.

Ferric Chloride Workshop Our Raku Kilns Workshop participants usually bring their own bisqued work for use during the workshop - full instructions on the type of clay, appropriate sizes, etc will be provided after booking. If groups are without facilities to make and bisque fire their own work it is also possible to arrange workshops so that participants come first to make the work, either on the wheel or by hand, and return around a couple of weeks later, when their work will have been bisque-fired, for a firing workshop.

Raku Kiln Confidence Course

Many people buy a raku kiln and, unsurprisingly find that they lack the confidence to fire them safely and efficiently. Our Kiln Confidence Course is designed to help you overcome any fears and learn how to get the best out of your kiln. We can accommodate up to 3 participants at a time who each bring along their own kilns, a firing partner and a couple of pre-glazed pieces to fire in your kiln. We will explain how everything works and the best way to arrange your firings for maximum safety. You will learn about how to maintain your kiln, measure the temperature using visual and technical means and how to carry out post-firing reduction.

Further Information

Group sizes are usually around 5 or 6 people to allow everybody to take home a reasonable number of finished pots. Lunch can usually be provided at additional cost. The price of a workshop varies with the number of people, the number of firings, and the techniques involved. For example, a one-day workshop for 6 participants in 2024 was between £130 and £150 per person. The workshops usually work out at a saving of around 5% on similar pre-programmed workshops. This reflects that the Group Leader makes a single payment in advance for the whole group and handles all communications with their group. To see some specimen programmes click on the box below to select example and press SUBMIT.

Select Workshop Type and press SUBMIT  Naked_Clay_Introduction Naked_Clay_Intensive Glazed_Raku_Make_and_Fire Glazed_Raku_Half_Day Glazed_Raku_Day Raku_Kiln_Confidence Ferric_Fuming Two_Day_Example One_Day_Example Soluble_Salts

Please contact me if you would like to discuss further