Inspired by Nature – porcelain workshop & vegetarian Indian lunch

Inspired by Nature is a special one-day workshop where you’ll make beautiful small objects from porcelain paperclay using a variety of methods. The day includes a delicious vegetarian Indian lunch cooked by Smita’s SupperClub – past diners have described her food as “insane authentic Indian cuisine” and “as beautiful as it was delicious”.

Porcelain paperclay is a wonderful versatile material – the paper fibre running through the clay body gives it additional strength which allows us to pinch it very thinly, roll in textures from plants and dip the plants into the porcelain paperclay slip for ‘burn-out’ effects.

We’ll start the day with a welcome homemade chai tea and introductions before we start making with porcelain paperclay. Across the day I’ll deliver demonstrations on the different ways we can work with the paperclay in it’s different forms including – dipping into slip, sculpting soft & hard, carving, using wire for structures, rolling and pressing in plant textures, pinching and buidling slab boxes.

Who is the workshop for?
This workshop is ideal for complete beginners, right through to those more experienced who would like to experiment working with porcelain paperclay.
This class is aimed at adults but if you have a mature young potter you’d like to bring then please send me a message in advance.

What will I learn?
The main aim of the day is to have a playful and experimental approach to working with porcelain paperclay while safely learning how to do this.

Structure of the day
10:30-11:00 – arrival, welcome chai tea & introductions
11:00-12:00 – rolling / sculpting / pressing textures with porcelain paperclay
12:00-13:00 – dipping combustibles with porcelain paperclay slip
13:00-14:00 – Indian Gujurati lunch served outside* by Smita’s SupperClub
14:00-15:30 – continue working on & finish porcelain creations
15:30-16:00 – look at creations, select works for firing, pack up
(*weather permitting)

What is included?
Materials and firings are included in this workshop. At the end of the day everyone will pick 3-4 combustible pieces to fire and about 3-4 small porcelain pieces to fire. Lunch and drinks are all included.

Lunch Menu

Caramelised onion, pea & aubergine biryani
Beetroot mint Riata
Mustard lime green salad
served with a refreshing drink

Please let us know in advance if you have any allergies or dietary requirements. Smita is happy to answer any questions re set menu. Please email her on smitapatel.peckham@gmail.com

Cancellation Policy
A full refund will be given with one weeks notice for this workshop.
Within one week of the class you will not be eligible for a refund unless someone can fill your spot.

Studio Policy
Classes will finish 10/15 minutes before the class time stated to allow everyone time to clean up.
I aim to create a safe, inclusive and joyful space for all levels/backgrounds/experiences to enjoy working with clay. Please send me a message if you have any access needs or additional questions about the studio.

*Please note works will be fired and ready for collection by early October.