Level 2 | Hand-building with Shane | 12 weeks

This level is ideal for students who have taken one of our Level 1 classes or equivalent and would like to develop their skills. You'll focus on refining technique, exploring more complex forms, and developing personal expression through your work. Classes are kept to 6-12 participants ensuring individual guidance and the space to develop your skills.

For more information on our course levels go to; https://throwingshapes.ie/pages/levels

For more information on our course levels see our Levels Guide

This 12-week Level 2 Handbuilding course with Shane includes 30 hours of teaching, all materials, tools, and firing for up to 10 finished pieces. Please bring a notebook for ideas, sketches, and note-taking.

Weeks 1–4: Foundations & Form Planning
Students revisit and refine core handbuilding skills, focusing on slab construction, refining coiling, and building confidence with more complex forms. Emphasis is placed on joints, structure, best approaches and laying the groundwork for more ambitious projects.

Week 5: Advanced Construction & Surface Techniques
Develop more considered forms using refined coiling, slab assembly, and attachments, with guidance on structural integrity and functional design. Begin experimenting with surface decoration techniques such as sgraffito and resist methods, adding personality and texture to your work.

Weeks 6–10: Exploration & Personal Projects
Students focus on developing complex hand-built pieces, experimenting with form, texture, and decorative approaches. Techniques include slab building, coiling refinement, carving, and layered surface treatments, with support to plan and execute a cohesive series of work that reflects individual style.

Weeks 11–12: Glazing & Final Review
Explore glazing through layering, and surface experimentation, complementing your hand-built forms and decorative effects. Complete your final pieces, review your progress, and discuss next steps for continuing your handbuilding practice.

By the end of the course, students will have strengthened technical handbuilding skills, developed a personal approach to surface and form, and produced a collection of finished pieces within a supportive, structured studio environment. Pieces will be ready for collection approximately 4–6 weeks after the final glaze session.

What is your cancellation policy?
To request a cancellation and refund, you must email refunds@throwingshapes.ie. Refunds requested more than two weeks prior to the first class are fully refundable. There will be no refunds after this point under any circumstance, nor can we transfer you to another class. Unfortunately we cannot be flexible on this policy for any reason. Should a class not fill sufficiently, we may cancel or reschedule it one week prior to the first class session.

What if I miss a day of my course?
If you miss a day you will not be able to make it back. you must be able to attend each week/day of the same course. You cannot transfer days or make up time. Please check you are available for every date before booking your course.

Are there any additional fees?
No - everything is included in your course. If you'd like to buy your own toolkit you can at checkout when purchasing your class, but tools will be provided either way.

Can I sign my kids up for classes?
No, all students must be 18+ to attend classes.

Can I gift a class to someone?
Of course! You can book them an available class and add their name on checkout, or purchase a gift card for them to decide on their own class.

Can I fire and glaze my own work?
For our taster classes you pick a glaze and we glaze the work for you.
For our 6 week courses you pick 5 of your favourite pieces and glaze them on your 6th week.
For our weekend 2-Day or 3-Day courses you will return 4 weeks later to glaze your own work. You will be notified of this date after you have booked the course.

If I don't see any classes available - when will they be added?
We add new blocks of classes three months in advance of classes starting.

Can I join a waiting list for classes?
Yes you can! Our waiting list works per date - so please go to a date or course you'd like to attend if it became available. You can sign up there and you will get notified if there are cancellations

Can I prebook classes for the next block before they are released?
No, classes are available on a first-come first-served basis and can not be prebooked.

Can I switch between a class our course if my availability changes?
This is subject to availability. You can email info@throwingshapes.ie to see if we have anything available to switch to. If we do not your spot will be cancelled according to our cancellation policy (above).

• All students must be 18+ to register for classes.

• All levels welcome, from beginner to expert. 6-9 people per class. Should a class not fill sufficiently, we may cancel or reschedule it one week prior to the first class session.

• To request a cancellation and refund, you must email refunds@throwingshapes.ie. Refunds requested more than two weeks prior to the first class are fully refundable. There will be no refunds once the class begins in any circumstance, nor can we transfer you to another class.

• For multiple day courses, you must be able to attend each week of the same course. You cannot transfer days or make up time. Please check you are available for every date before booking your course.

• For courses or classes on Mondays - we run through bank holidays from the start date of the course unless otherwise stated.

• If you would like to gift a class you can enter the attendee's name at time of booking or send an email to gifts@throwingshapes.ie.