Learn how to build your own plant pots from local terracotta clay. In this hands-on session, participants will design, build, and decorate their own unique pots. You'll be guided through a variety of hand-building techniques to create different forms and explore a range of surface textures and decorative methods. There will also be the option to add drip trays or attachments for hanging pots.
One Day Pottery Workshop – Plant Pot
Course Description
Create your own beautiful, functional plant pots in this hands-on one-day pottery workshop.
Working with locally sourced terracotta clay, you’ll be guided through the process of designing, building and decorating up to three pieces that reflect your personal style.
This workshop introduces the fundamental principles of hand-building while exploring how form, texture and function come together in ceramic design.
Through step-by-step demonstrations and practical making, you’ll learn how to shape and refine your pots using a variety of techniques, with the option to add features such as drainage holes, drip trays or hanging elements.
Whether you’re completely new to pottery or looking to expand your skills, this workshop offers a relaxed and creative environment to experiment with clay and produce finished pieces ready for firing.
Once completed, your plant pots will be fired by the tutor and will be ready to collect within approximately one month.
The course fee includes all materials, and use of equipment and tools.
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Course Structure
This is a hands-on course where the tutor demonstrates each step before participants put it into practice.
The workshop begins with an introduction to terracotta clay, including its properties, behaviour and the drying and firing process.
Students will then explore design considerations specific to plant pots, including balance between form and function, stability, scale and drainage.
Participants will sketch and plan their ideas before moving into hand-building techniques such as pinching, coiling and slab construction to create their forms.
Guidance will be provided on shaping, refining edges, and constructing bases and rims.
The session then moves into surface decoration, where students can experiment with carving, texturing, smoothing and slip application.
Finally, participants will add functional details such as drainage holes and optional attachments, preparing their pieces for drying, glazing and firing.
Course Learning Outcomes
By the end of this workshop, students will be able to:
- Understand the properties and behaviour of terracotta clay
- Apply basic hand-building techniques including pinching, coiling and slab construction
- Design a functional plant pot considering form, proportion and stability
- Incorporate practical features such as drainage and structural elements
- Experiment with surface decoration techniques including carving and texturing
- Prepare ceramic work for drying, glazing and firing
- Create a unique, functional plant pot ready for finishing.
Your Tutor is Bridget Saville
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Bridget Saville has been teaching at WEA since July 2022.
Bridget is a ceramicist and designer creating functional and sculptural objects through wheel throwing and hand building techniques. A graduate of Interior Design from RMIT University, Bridget’s work explores the relationship between architectural forms and the human body.
Working with clay since 2015, Bridget has been an Associate at the JamFactory in Adelaide since 2023, where she has the opportunity to explore her practice and develop her skills.
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