7-DAY INTENSIVE CERAMICS CLASS

During this 7-day intensive course, I will teach you my intricate hand-building techniques I use every day for creating my tableware, covering everything from clay basics, clay preparation all the way to my glazing methods. This is an intensive but also fun and relaxing workshop, great time to connect to your creativity of hand-crafting objects and also meeting new people with similar aspirations from around the world, all in a cosy urban setting of my bright studio in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Whether you're a seasoned clay artist or a complete beginner, this workshop is suitable for everyone who are curious about a variety of hand-building and glazing techniques. You will have the opportunity to create a range of pieces that we will fire and glaze together. To ensure personalised attention, the workshop is limited to a maximum of 8 participants.

 

What will you learn

Day 1: Clay Preparation and Getting Started 
After some coffee and introduction, we’ll begin by preparing our materials, getting the clay ready for the creative journey ahead. 

Day 2: Shaping and Forming

This day is dedicated to shaping your pieces. You’ll focus on forming your designs using my techniques, learn how to use styrofoam molds and different tools to create forms you like. I’ll guide you through achieving the right balance of structure and creativity. By the end of the day, you’ll have a range of unique shapes ready for the next steps in the process.

Day 3: Fantasy Project & Kiln Loading
Forming a special fantasy project of your choice in a handbuilding techique of your choice! We will get to know engobes (slips) and different techniques used in adding colour and texture to our clay pieces. Before the day is finished, we’ll load the kiln for a bisque firing, preparing your creations for glazing.

Day 4: Underglazing & Fantasy Project Finishing 
While waiting for the kiln to cool down, we will get to know underglazing techniques on ready-made clay tiles. We will add final touches to your fantasy projects. We’ll open the kiln, sort your pieces, and work on any necessary sanding and finishing before the big glazing day.

Day 5: Glazing & Final Glaze Firing
After introduction into glazing techniques, we will glaze selected pieces in your desired colours and learn about loading the kiln properly observing firing details that work best for your pieces.

Day 6: Field Trip 
In the morning, we’ll fire any remaining fantasy projects. After that, we’ll embark on an inspiring field trip to have a little restful day out and about and gain some fresh creative ideas.

Day 7: Kiln Opening & Celebration
The grand finale! We’ll open the kiln to reveal your final, beautifully finished creations. It’s time to celebrate all the hard work and creativity that went into each piece!

 

Materials & Tools

You'll have access to a some of my favourite stoneware clays as well as all the necessary clay tools. Styrofoam molds will be available for you to use during the workshop and also available for purchase if you'd decide to use them yourself back home. Additionally, aprons, gloves, safety masks and other tools and materials will be provided. I recommend bringing a notebook for taking notes and wearing comfortable clothing.

 

Additional Options & Costs

• Clay Limitation: Each participant will have access to 10 kg of diverse high quality stoneware clay with a maximum of 1.5 kg per object (size of a fruit bowl)

• Glazing Limitation: You will be able to select up to 4 regular sized objects (0.5 - 1.5 kg) and 4 mini objects (up to 0.2 kg) for the glazing, the rest will be bisque fired and taken home with you or shipped to you. In case you'd like for the rest of the objects to be glazed by you/us at the studio, additional charge of 15,00€/25,00€/kg of bisque objects will apply. 

• Extra Clay/Glaze Usage: Participants can use additional clay at a rate of 15,00€/kg (includes material and bisque firing) or 25,00€ per kg (includes material, bisque firing and glaze firing in glaze of your choice).

 

Additional Firing & Glazing Options

All Fantasy Projects and extra items that are not going to be glazed by you can be taken home in bisque form after the workshop ends or left glazed at our studio to be fired later at extra cost and shipped to your desired location.

 

Optional Add-Ons

• Custom Clay Stamp: Participants can send their logos/signatures before the workshop to be made into a professional clay stamp at additional cost of 35,00€.
• Shipping Costs: Shipping of the items to participants will incur additional costs that will be calculated after they are all finished.

 

Accommodation

Accommodation is not included in the workshop fee. However, I'm more than happy to assist you in finding suitable accommodation in Ljubljana. My studio is conveniently located just a 10-minute walk from the City Centre, just few steps away from the main bus and railway stations. Since Ljubljana is a tiny city anyway, everything is within walking distance. Due to limited availability, I recommend booking your accommodation soon after securing your spot in the workshop. Consider searching for Airbnb rentals or hotels near the City Centre or the Bežigrad district.

 

Extras

Each day, we will arrange for a delightful vegetarian lunch for all workshop participants. You'll also have unlimited access to coffee, tea, pastries, fruit and other refreshing beverages at the studio.

 

About your teacher

I began my ceramics journey at the age of 10 when my mum, a ceramics designer herself, introduced me to the craft, and I would try everything with her, from pinching to raku in our family garden. After pursuing a master's degree in art teaching, I wrote my master's dissertation about ceramic sculpture and transitioned to creating ceramic jewellery for a number of years before I made the first set of dishes. In 2016, I established my studio in Ljubljana, where I have since conducted hundreds of workshops with students from Slovenia and abroad. My signature technique involves shaping pieces using Styrofoam molds, a technique I perfected over the years and is suitable for any level of experience.

In my designs, I value simplicity of form while honouring the delicate beauty of stoneware. I believe clay work is natural to all of us humans and is continuously rewarding, which is why I've loved discovering it for more than two decades.

 

Workshop Fee

The fee for my intensive workshop is 1.050,00€. 

You can conveniently pay the fee using a credit card or PayPal through my website. If you prefer to make payments in instalments, please reach out to me via email info@hana-karim.com.

 

Refund Policy

You have the option of refund or exchange your booking for another available workshop up until 30 days prior to the start of the course. After this point, the booking becomes non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

 

How to apply

Your place will be booked as soon as you place an order via my website and receive a confirmation email about your order. If you'd like to arrange for instalment payment, we will send you a payment link for downpayment to reserve your booking. For other details please send me an email to info@hana-karim.com

 

Impressions of participants who've joined intensive workshops

"Attending Hana’s one-week workshop was a fabulous immersion into ceramics crafting and particularly into Hana’s hand-building techniques as throwing, pinching, rolling, squeezing, pulling, smoothing etc. This encounter with clay was intense (6 hours a day) and very well structured from theory to (a lot of) practice and so much fun in a beautiful spacious studio filled up with sunlight and tasteful music. Getting involved in the whole process of creation of a collection from rolling a ball of clay to opening the kiln not to mention the design of a logo or mixing the colours was thrilling. Hana is such a kind and patient pedagogue who also teaches you resilience to materials and gives you useful tips and constructive feedbacks while letting your imagination run wild. She also excels at preparing tasty treats and connecting people. It was a beautiful week suspended in time!" 

- Anne-Cécile, France

 

The 6-day intensive workshop with Hana was magical! Not only did I learn a ton about handbuilding, but it really served as a therapeutic experience, as well. The group's energy mirrored Hana's process – natural, free, and fluid. Hana was very approachable and patient throughout the week. She taught us to embrace each step of the journey of building a piece, whether that meant parting ways with a broken bowl, or challenging oneself through glazing. I would recommend highly recommend Hana's course!

 

- Noelle, USA

 

I traveled all the way from Guatemala to attend Hana’s one-week workshop and the long trip was completely worth it!  I have been doing ceramics for many years and I recommend the workshop for beginners as well for advanced ceramists. Her technique is different, unique and her studio has a natural light that exudes a calm vibe. Hana is very experienced ceramicists and incredible teacher of her art.

 

- Lilyan, Guatemala

 

This has been the most special and rewarding experience I have ever had. Firstly, I want to express how kind, generous, and caring Hana is. Every morning, she took care of us, brewing delightful coffee and providing small treats. She patiently answered all our questions, generously shared her expertise in crafting clay items, and walked us through the entire process—from measuring and wedging the clay to modeling and shaping, using various techniques, to the specifics of drying the items and, my personal favourite, glazing. The workshop was meticulously detailed, well-structured, and perfectly organised. Each day, we crafted new things, with ample time to proceed at our own pace, and Hana was readily available right beside us. Beyond the artistry, every day she prepared the most delicious lunches, allowing us the opportunity to get to know one another. It was a precious time spent together, providing a wonderful chance to meet such a kind and delicate artist and person.

 

- Anna, Bulgaria