Helen rondell

Saturday & Sunday | 10am - 5pm | £370pp

Learn the art of RAKU, and discover this wonderful technique of glazing and firing pots outdoors.

Raku Weekend Workshops

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The Course in Detail

Ceramicist Helen Rondell will be delivering these two-day Raku workshops where students will learn how to achieve a variety of amazing and unique effects on your ceramic objects.

Throughout the workshop, you will be shown how to decorate and prepare your own work to be fired with the different raku firing techniques. You will learn about 'Naked' Raku which is the way Helen fires her own work, where the glaze is removed after the firing.  As well as crackle and reduction glazes you will be able to try copper fuming and horse hair.

By the end of the workshop, you'll have a collection of unique and personalised pieces that showcase your newfound skills.

We will provide all the materials and glazes you need to create these finishes.

Participants will be provided with a delicious light lunch on both days of the workshop, along with refreshments. Please give details of any dietary requirements at the time of booking.

Before you book, please make sure you read our terms and conditions page here.

The details

Key Information

  • 23rd/24th May 2026
    25th/26th July 2026
    19th/20th September 2026
    10th/11th October 2026
    10am - 5pm (both days)

  • Limited to 10 participants per workshop.

  • No prior pottery experience is required.

  • The two day workshop costs £370 per person (includes tuition, materials, glazes, bisque and raku firing, refreshments and a light lunch on both days).

  • We encourage each student to bring up to 6 pots.

    • The pots must be bisque fired.

    • For best results, the pots should have been made using raku clay or grogged stoneware clay. If you bring pieces which have been made using smooth throwing clay, we can fire them but they may run a higher risk of cracking.

    • The size limit is 20cm in height and/or width.

    • Vase and bottle forms work best.

    If you are unable to bring your own pots then you may purchase bisque fired pots from us on the first day of the workshop.

    Please note that we charge charge £10 per bisque fired pot.

    When you come to book you will be asked to confirm whether you will be requiring pots or whether you will be bringing your own. Please tell us this at the time of booking. You will be prompted on the booking form.

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  • The Raku weekend was hugely enjoyable; a mix of pyrotechnics, performance art and a great deal of genuine excitement waiting for the kilns to produce some carefully designed yet completely random wonders, all guided by Helen’s expertise.

    Hayley Andrews

Tutor Bio

Helen Rondell

Helen Rondell is a UK based ceramic artist who specialises in the Raku firing technique using resist slips.

Helen’s love for raku firing began during her time studying ceramics at North Staffordshire University in Stoke-on-Trent, and was excited by the unpredictable nature of the process. “The surfaces I produce are very tactile, smooth and soft because of the low firing. This is very important to me as I strive to create work that flows and curves – leading the viewer around and through the piece which, being hand-coiled, often evolve during the building process, almost like I’m drawing with clay.”

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Just arrive a few minutes early to get settled – then relax and enjoy!

  • It's crucial to wear old, natural fibre clothing, like cotton, to protect yourself from potential hazards like sparks and heat. No polyester or man-made fibres should be worn

    Long sleeves are essential 

    Protective gloves and goggles will be provided

  • Yes, we will send an email to the address provided 2-3 weeks days before. This will give you all the information you will need to know. Do add us to your contacts and check your junk mail folder if you don’t receive the email.

  • For best results, the pots should have been made using raku clay or grogged stoneware clay . If you bring pieces which have been made using smooth throwing clay, we can fire them but they may run a higher risk of cracking

  • If you would like to bring combustible materials, such as horse hair or feathers, please feel free. Horse hair and feathers can be placed onto pieces directly removed from the kiln - they will burn onto the surface and leave interesting marks.

  • Vase, pot and bottle shapes work very well.

    When selecting your bisque fired pieces to bring, please bear in mind that enclosed forms run the risk of exploding and flat plates, platters or tiles risk breaking due to large surface areas and no strength.

    If the tutor feels that your bisque fired piece runs a risk of cracking or causing damage to another student’s piece, she may not allow it to go into the firing.

  • The size limit is 20cm in height and/or width.