Clay Handbuilding Basics with Iulia Simtion

Learn the basics of Clay Handbuilding!

This six-week handbuilding course is all about getting comfortable with clay and learning the core techniques to make your own ceramics from scratch.

Each week, we’ll focus on a different foundational skill—starting with simple pinch pots, then moving into kurinuki (the Japanese technique of carving from solid clay), soft slabs, and hard slab construction. We'll use the term to practice these individual methods and slowly build our skills toward one main, multi-technique final project.

You'll get a feel for the entire making cycle: constructing your forms, texturing and decorating the surfaces with underglazes, and finally glazing your work to finish it off.

Whether you're brand new to clay or just looking for some dedicated time to practice your hand building, this is a step-by-step class designed to give you a solid foundation

(14th October to November 25th, Wednesdays, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm.):

Tickets are $280 and limited to 10 spots.

About Iulia Simtion

Iulia is a ceramic artist and tutor based in Narrow Neck, Auckland.

She first experienced the magic of pottery as a teenager, later returning to the craft while retraining as a primary school teacher.

This background in education, combined with her belief that working with your hands is essential for well-being, shapes both her teaching style and her creative practice.

Now a full-time maker and educator, Iulia draws daily inspiration from the rich heritage of her native Romania and the natural beauty of her home here in Aotearoa.

Her work and workshops are centred around mindfulness, cultural connection, and the simple, grounding joy of shaping clay.