Level 1 | Nerikomi Masterclass: Colour and Pattern in Clay with Ciara Neufeldt | 2 Days
Join artist Ciara Neufeldt for a colourful two-day masterclass exploring the vibrant technique of Nerikomi, where patterns are created by layering and combining coloured clay rather than decorating the surface.
Throughout the weekend, October 17th & 18th from 10:30 - 4:30pm, Ciara will guide students through the complete Nerikomi process, sharing demonstrations, practical tips, and individual guidance as you learn how to create your own patterned clay from scratch. You'll discover how colour, composition, and precision come together to produce striking geometric and organic designs that run all the way through the clay body.
What You'll Learn:
Across the two days, you'll explore the foundations of Nerikomi, including:
Colouring clay: Learn how to stain stoneware using ceramic pigments to create a vibrant palette of coloured clay.
Making patterned canes: Create a range of classic Nerikomi patterns including stripes, checks, gingham, swirls, gradients, and floral designs.
Pattern blocks: Combine your individual canes into larger pattern blocks, ready to be sliced and incorporated into functional work.
Slab building with Nerikomi: Apply your patterned clay to create a unique slab-built mug while learning techniques for construction, finishing, and preserving your designs.
Planning future projects: Learn how to store and preserve your patterned canes so they can be used in future work long after the workshop has finished.
This workshop is suitable for Level 1 and Level 2 students. While no previous experience of Nerikomi is required, participants should have some experience working with clay and be comfortable with basic hand-building techniques.
About the Artist:
Ciara Neufeldt is a participatory artist, craftsperson and facilitator. Her practice centres on bringing a moment of joy and celebration to everyday life, through clay workshops and functional large-scale ceramic installations. She specialises in the technique ‘Nerikomi’, infusing her work with bright colour and playful patterns. Her work is made with the intention of creating accessibility to art in our daily lives, by reimagining public spaces and the objects in them. She is consistently working towards collaborative and socially-engaged practices, through making with other people, artists and communities. She was the 2025 Adobe x V&A Creative Resident in Mosaic and Ceramic Tilework and is one of Glasgow Life’s 2026/2027 ‘Artist in Communities’.
Level 1 | Foundational Skills
For more information on our course levels see our Levels Guide
Course Contents
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.
FAQs
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).
T&Cs
• 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.