Level 1 | Hand-building Course | 6 week

Ideal for those who’ve completed a taster session or first timers. This course offers a structured and in-depth learning experience over six weeks, focusing on essential techniques in hand building. You'll build confidence with form, process, and studio practice in a relaxed, supportive environment.
Classes are kept small from 6 to 12 participants, to ensure individual guidance and space to develop your skills. On completion, you’ll have the experience needed to become a studio member.

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

For more information on our course levels see our Levels Guide

Over six weekly 2.5-hour sessions, students will develop their hand-building skills through demonstrations, technical exercises, and individual tuition. The course begins on the first date listed and runs weekly from that date (including bank holidays unless otherwise stated).

Week 1: Pinching
Learn one of the oldest and most versatile hand-building techniques while exploring form, proportion, and wall thickness through a series of functional and decorative projects.

Week 2: Slab Building
Develop confidence using rolled slabs to construct functional and sculptural forms, while learning accurate joining, construction, and refining techniques.

Week 3: Coiling
Explore coiling as a method for creating larger, more complex forms, focusing on structure, shaping, and blending coils to produce strong, refined pieces.

Weeks 4–5: Personal Project & Surface Decoration
Bring together the techniques learned throughout the course to create a larger hand-built project of your choice. Explore carving, texture, stamps, and underglaze decoration while refining your work with individual guidance.

Week 6: Glazing
Learn about glaze application, colour, layering, and surface finishes while glazing your completed work.

The course includes 15 hours of tuition, all clay, tools, and firing, with glazing for up to five finished pieces. Please ensure you can attend all sessions before booking, as missed classes cannot be repeated. Finished work will be ready for collection approximately 4–6 weeks after the glazing 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 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 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.

• You must read the levels description for your class and take the correct level for your abilities. We reserve the right to move you from a class you do not have enough experience for.

• 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.