3-Day Hand-Building & Slip Workshop with Lena Konstanze Harms 15 - 17 May
All levels welcome
In this three-day workshop, participants will explore coil building, one of the oldest and most expressive techniques for constructing ceramic vessels. Working in a small group and a relaxed, supportive atmosphere, Lena Konstanze Harms will guide participants through both the technical and intuitive aspects of hand-building, with a strong emphasis on finding confident forms and developing an understanding of shape as a central part of ceramic practice.
Over the course of the workshop, participants will work slowly and attentively, allowing forms to develop naturally over the three days. Alongside building, participants will explore surface decoration using clay slips, a traditional and playful technique that allows colour, pattern, and mark-making to be applied directly onto the clay surface, without the use of glaze.
This course is open to all levels, from complete beginners to those with more experience who wish to deepen their hand-building practice or explore surface and slip decoration.
About the Artist
Lena Konstanze Harms is a ceramic artist working primarily with hand-building techniques such as coil and slab construction. Her practice favours a slow, deliberate approach, valuing process, material sensitivity, and individual making over mass production.
A central element of her work is the Japanese Nerikomi technique, through which she layers and inlays coloured clays to create richly patterned, painterly surfaces. Drawing inspiration from nature, colour, and traditional craft practices from around the world, Harms’ work explores the relationship between form and surface, offering a quiet, tactile counterpoint to the pace of contemporary life.
Workshop structure
Day 1
Introduction to coil building and form. Participants begin building, focusing on rhythm, proportion, and developing confidence with the technique.
Day 2
Continued hand-building, developing form and structure, with time to adjust, refine, and resolve work.
Day 3
Introduction to surface decoration using clay slips. Participants explore colour, pattern, and mark-making directly onto the clay surface, bringing form and surface together.
What’s Included
Unlimited clay for use during the workshop
Use of all tools and equipment
All tuition, demonstrations, and individual guidance
Glazing and firing of selected final pieces
Shipping of finished work included (see below)
VAT (Spanish IVA) included in the workshop price
Lunch is not included. The studio is located in the centre of the village, close to a wide range of cafés and restaurants to suit all budgets and dietary requirements. A roof terrace is also available for students who prefer to bring their own lunch.
Shipping of Finished Work
The workshop fee includes shipping for one standard box per participant within Europe.
At the end of the workshop, students will select their final pieces. These will then be glazed, fired, carefully packed, and prepared for shipment. All selected work must fit within the included box size.
Shipping is limited to one box per participant.
Price
€ 750 Includes VAT, materials, firing, and shipping (one standard box to fit your vessel.)
Cancellation Policy
Due to the limited number of places available and the advance costs involved, full payment is required to secure a place on the workshop.
Cancellations made 21 days or more before the workshop start date will receive a full refund.
Cancellations made within 21 days of the workshop start date are non-refundable.
In cases of illness or unforeseen circumstances, a credit toward a future workshop may be offered, subject to availability.
No refunds are given for no-shows or partial attendance.
We strongly recommend participants ensure they are able to attend all workshop dates before booking.
All levels welcome
In this three-day workshop, participants will explore coil building, one of the oldest and most expressive techniques for constructing ceramic vessels. Working in a small group and a relaxed, supportive atmosphere, Lena Konstanze Harms will guide participants through both the technical and intuitive aspects of hand-building, with a strong emphasis on finding confident forms and developing an understanding of shape as a central part of ceramic practice.
Over the course of the workshop, participants will work slowly and attentively, allowing forms to develop naturally over the three days. Alongside building, participants will explore surface decoration using clay slips, a traditional and playful technique that allows colour, pattern, and mark-making to be applied directly onto the clay surface, without the use of glaze.
This course is open to all levels, from complete beginners to those with more experience who wish to deepen their hand-building practice or explore surface and slip decoration.
About the Artist
Lena Konstanze Harms is a ceramic artist working primarily with hand-building techniques such as coil and slab construction. Her practice favours a slow, deliberate approach, valuing process, material sensitivity, and individual making over mass production.
A central element of her work is the Japanese Nerikomi technique, through which she layers and inlays coloured clays to create richly patterned, painterly surfaces. Drawing inspiration from nature, colour, and traditional craft practices from around the world, Harms’ work explores the relationship between form and surface, offering a quiet, tactile counterpoint to the pace of contemporary life.
Workshop structure
Day 1
Introduction to coil building and form. Participants begin building, focusing on rhythm, proportion, and developing confidence with the technique.
Day 2
Continued hand-building, developing form and structure, with time to adjust, refine, and resolve work.
Day 3
Introduction to surface decoration using clay slips. Participants explore colour, pattern, and mark-making directly onto the clay surface, bringing form and surface together.
What’s Included
Unlimited clay for use during the workshop
Use of all tools and equipment
All tuition, demonstrations, and individual guidance
Glazing and firing of selected final pieces
Shipping of finished work included (see below)
VAT (Spanish IVA) included in the workshop price
Lunch is not included. The studio is located in the centre of the village, close to a wide range of cafés and restaurants to suit all budgets and dietary requirements. A roof terrace is also available for students who prefer to bring their own lunch.
Shipping of Finished Work
The workshop fee includes shipping for one standard box per participant within Europe.
At the end of the workshop, students will select their final pieces. These will then be glazed, fired, carefully packed, and prepared for shipment. All selected work must fit within the included box size.
Shipping is limited to one box per participant.
Price
€ 750 Includes VAT, materials, firing, and shipping (one standard box to fit your vessel.)
Cancellation Policy
Due to the limited number of places available and the advance costs involved, full payment is required to secure a place on the workshop.
Cancellations made 21 days or more before the workshop start date will receive a full refund.
Cancellations made within 21 days of the workshop start date are non-refundable.
In cases of illness or unforeseen circumstances, a credit toward a future workshop may be offered, subject to availability.
No refunds are given for no-shows or partial attendance.
We strongly recommend participants ensure they are able to attend all workshop dates before booking.