This one day workshop will give the participants the opportunity to create 2 beautiful keep cups that they make using slab building techniques and decorate over the day. Students will be guided through basic design, hand building, decoration and finishing techniques, and will be provided with silicone lids when their cups are fired and ready to take home. Materials are included in the course fee.

Your Tutor is Rachel Petchkovsky

Rachel Petchkovsky has been teaching at WEA since 2022. 

Rachel completed a Diploma of Ceramics in New South Wales in 2000. She is a practicing artist, pottery teacher and early childhood educator. 

In her practice she works with clay, textiles, natural dyeing, leather, glass and natural fibres and materials. She has a special interest in raku firing techniques and post firing reduction. 

Rachel loves the transformative power of pottery and enjoys sharing her enthusiasm and skills with students.

One Day Pottery Workshop – Keep Cups

Course Description

In this hands-on, one-day pottery workshop, you'll create two beautiful and functional keep cups using slab-building techniques. 

Guided by an experienced tutor, you’ll explore the basics of hand-building, design, decoration, and finishing – all while enjoying the creative process of working with clay. 

Whether you’re completely new to pottery or simply looking for a fun, mindful activity, this workshop offers a welcoming space to experiment and create something truly personal.

Pottery has long been celebrated as both an art form and a practical craft, connecting us to the earth through simple materials and slow, intentional making. By creating your own reusable cups, you’re not only developing a new skill, but also contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle – reducing the need for single-use takeaway cups. 

Your handmade keep cups will be fired and returned to you complete with silicone lids, ready to be used and cherished every day.

The course fee includes all materials, and use of equipment and tools.

Course Structure

This is a hands-on course. The tutor will provide a demonstration of each step, then you will put it into practice.

• Introduction and housekeeping
• Design
• Slab rolling
• Slab construction
• Decoration
• Finishing techniques

Course Learning Outcomes

By attending this course, students will:

• Learn the basics of slab-building pottery techniques
• Design and hand-build your own keep cups
• Explore decorative and finishing methods to personalise your pieces
• Understand the pottery process from construction to firing
• Gain hands-on experience with clay in a relaxed, creative environment
• Contribute to sustainable living by creating reusable, handmade cups