5 Day In Focus Course: Plates and Bottles
Photo credit: Jonny Weeks
This lively course focuses on these two opposing forms through exploration of approaches. Through making plates and bottles you will encounter different methods of throwing flat and cylindrical forms and advance turning and pulling handle techniques. This course is for intermediate throwers who can center 1kg of clay and acts as a good reminder of best practice in your throwing approaches. Consider modified thrown forms through paddling, fluting and faceting, creating a sake bottle and collection of beakers to play with this approaches. The course allows time of participants to repeat these skills learnt with the support of the tutor.
Skills Covered: Intermediate Throwing, Bottles, Plates, Paddling, Fluting, Faceting, Handle pulling, turning and making to specific measurements
When: Monday 15 – Friday 19 September 2025
Where: Bernard’s Studio, The Leach Pottery. (Unfortunately, courses held in Bernard’s Studio are inaccessible for wheelchair users)
Places: 4
Duration: 5 days. Core teaching hours: 10am – 4pm. Last day of the course: 10 am – 3.30pm. Please arrive at 9.30am on the first day of your course to take part in a tour of the museum.
Equipment & materials: clay and a basic tool kit is provided. We focus on building core skills and working directly with the clay to get the most from a core selection of tools. Please bring additional tools if you wish to use them along with an apron and hand towel.
You will leave with: two pieces (one bottle and one plate) that will be fired & posted to you* up to 12 weeks after the course has finished. This piece needs to be within the footprint of 20 x 20 x 20cm. You are welcome to take one or two pieces of unfired work home if you wish. Please bring boxes and packaging for safe transport.
Level: intermediate, must be able to center 1kg of clay
We are delighted to offer one 10% discount in our Shop for the duration of your course.
Any questions? Please visit our FAQ — The Leach Pottery
Please be aware, only assistance dogs are allowed in the Learning spaces.
Our courses are popular, we do our best to add more dates when we can.
Please sign-up to our mailing list to receive news about courses and the Leach Pottery.
5 Day In Focus Course: Plates & Bottles 2025
2025 dates sold out to be added to the waiting list please email Charmaine charmaine.orkamfat@leachpottery.com