Alice Mara

Hand building houses

15th - 16th October and 12th - 13th November 2026 | 4 Day Workshop | £1,100

The main objective of this course is for students to build a wonderful and realistic version of their own house (or a building that they love) using slab building techniques and photographic transfers. Students will also have the opportunity to make a number of other buildings within this exciting course.

Book your space 
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The Course in Detail

This workshop will be split into two parts. The first two days will be spent hand building the structure of each student’s house or building and the second part will take place four weeks later once the pieces have been bisque fired and glazed. When students return for the second part of the workshop they will learn to use photographic transfers to bring their structures to life.

The first part of the workshop will be spent creating the structure of houses/buildings. Students will be asked to bring in pictures of their chosen house or building and, using these, Alice will assist students in working out how to create the main body of their building.

Alice will demonstrate how to roll the perfect slabs to achieve the right clay consistency, and how to attach slabs to each other to make sturdy, robust models. Throughout the workshop Alice will give demonstrations on how to create features such as chimneys, bay windows, balconies, and any other, unique feature of each building.

As well as building their own house, students will also have the opportunity to create some additional buildings using paper template. Alice will show students how to use slabs of clay to create different architectural styles.

 There will be a four-week gap until the second part of the workshop, to give time for the pieces to dry, then be bisque fired and then glazed in white before being fired again.

During this time Alice will also create transfers for the bespoke houses ready for the students when they return for part two.

The second part of the workshop will involve learning how to apply the photographic transfers to the glazed structures. Demonstrations will be given on how to cut and line up the imagery and ensure a smooth application.

The final day will see students perfecting their models with Alice’s guidance. Students will be able to colour match their imagery to fill gaps and Alice will give her tips of the trade on how to fix any imperfections using secret techniques that she has developed over the years.

Please note, there will be a small additional firing charge for final pieces. Please see our Student Contract for details.

Book your place

Key information

  • DATE

    Thursday 15th - Friday 16th October and Thursday 12th - Friday 13th November 2026

  • DURATION

    4 day workshop

  • CLASS SIZE

    Maximum 10 students

  • LEVEL

    LEVEL

    All levels welcome

  • CLAY TYPE

    Stoneware

  • COST

    £1,100 (Flexible payment plans)

About Alice

GUEST POTTER BIO

Alice Mara is a ceramic artist with over twenty years’ experience and is widely acclaimed for her skilled craftsmanship and innovative designs. She is confident and ambitious in her work and has won industry awards including the Ella Doran Award for Best New Designer, the Queensbury Hunt Award for innovative use of ceramics, and the Royal Academy of Scottish Art Award for Best Female Sculptor.

The Schedule

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

  • Welcome Breakfast (from 9am - 10am). The session will start at 10am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.

  • On the second day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.

  • On the third day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.

  • On the final day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.

  • A two course lunch is provided everyday. Please inform us of any special dietary requirements at the time of booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Ceramic Studio is located on a beautiful orchard in Brenchley, and there are lots of lovely surrounding towns and villages offering numerous places to stay.

    We are happy to arrange transits to and from your accommodation to the studio for the duration of your course. Please get in touch to arrange this. Please email the office team at info@theceramicstudio.co.uk. To see examples of local accommodation, click here.

  • We would always suggest bringing and apron or cover up for any Guest Potter Workshop, but for this workshop you will also be required to bring a large selection of images of your chosen building. Full details of the types of images required will be sent to students around four-weeks before the course.

    • There is a small charge for fired work. Charges are as follows:

    £5 per 500g for glazed work

    £6 per 500g for glazed work with oxide

    £10 per 500g for any glazed work over 30cm in height or width

    £2 per 500g for work that is bisque fired but not glazed

    • Please also note that The Ceramic Studio does not offer a glazing service.

  • Yes! During this Guest Potter Workshop, you’ll be treated to a Welcome Breakfast on the first day, plus morning and afternoon refreshments daily, including teas, coffees, sweet treats, and fresh fruit. A freshly cooked two-course lunch, prepared here in the studio, is also provided every day, with dietary requirements confirmed in advance.

  • If we haven’t quite answered your question please click here to view our guest potter FAQs page or email us info@theceramicstudio.co.uk