2026 Workshops!

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Ready For Retail Workshop -Ceramics Edition!‍ ‍with Perri Salka, Owner & Curator of The WonderMart

  • This info-packed 90-minute workshop (+ Q&A) is designed for ceramics artists ready for growth.

    Learn from a Brooklyn gift shop owner all of the important and practical ways to get your work “shelf-ready”. From building a linesheet, refining your branding & packaging, demystifying wholesale versus consignment, to sending the perfect intro email to prospective stockists - this workshop will equip you with the knowledge you need to move beyond the maker's market and approach retailers with confidence. 

  • Perri Salka is a dynamic advocate for the indie maker movement — Owner & Curator of The WonderMart, a beloved Brooklyn-based gift shop, and Founder of Wonder Makers Consulting. Since 2019, The WonderMart has championed a community-first retail approach, spotlighting handcrafted goods from over 300 local New York brands and makers. Leveraging her on-the-ground expertise in indie retail, Perri launched Wonder Makers Consulting in 2024 to deliver clear, actionable growth strategies for independent brand owners — cutting through the noise and guesswork of running a small business. She knows the hustle firsthand and is on a mission to help makers work smarter, sell better, and scale sustainably. Whether she’s guiding creators from studio to shelf or offering honest product critiques, Perri empowers creatives to make sense of their business journey — and truly thrive. Follow along: @shop_thewondermart and @wondermakersconsulting.

Small Batch Production: From Design to Sale with Joanne Lee of Sunday Studio

  • In this 4 week course, we will cover the basics of production for your small ceramics business including prototyping and building a cohesive collection, workflow optimization, financial considerations, and selling channels.

    This course is open to handbuilders and wheelthrowers who are able to work independently.

  • Each week will have a 30 min - 1 hr talk and discussion followed by 2 hours of practical. Punctual attendance to all 4 sessions is mandatory.

    Expected output at the end of the course is a minimum of 6 identical pieces and at least 1 new viable product prototype as part of a cohesive collection.

Make Your Own Mold! with Catalina Parra of Base Ceramics

  • This hands-on workshop with Catalina Parra (@baseceramics) will take an object/vessel of the participant's choosing & Catalina's approval to learn how to create a plaster mold for ceramics. Participants will learn how to properly measure, mix, and work with plaster using their object.

    Objects should be maximum 6" x 6" x 6" or the equivalent volume and no taller than 8". Molds will be 2-4 parts maximum. All objects' dimensions and photos MUST be submitted to education@clayspacebk.com no later than June 10 of the workshop for approval.

    The workshop will run across two days (Saturday & Sunday) from 10am-2pm each day.

    Materials will be provided by the studio (already included in class cost). An agenda and additional information will be emailed to participants ahead of the workshop.

  • Part 1: Introduction

    • Overview of how plaster molds are used in ceramics

    • Slip casting demo using a plaster mold

    • Do's and don’ts of working with plaster

    • Mixing plaster: proper ratios, timing, and safety tips

    Part 2: Mold Setup Demo

    • Demo on preparing both one-part and two-part mold setups

    • Key considerations: registration marks, parting lines, sealing, and mold walls

    • Group Q&A before students begin

    Part 3: Mold Making

    • Each participant selects a provided object

    • Individual setup for one-part or two-part mold based on choice

    • Measuring and calculating plaster and water volumes • Mixing plaster and pouring molds Conclusion & Wrap-Up

    • Open Q&A for troubleshooting and next steps • Studio and table cleanup

Mold Making 101 with Catalina Parra of Base Ceramics

  • This hands-on workshop introduces participants to the fundamentals of plaster mold making for ceramics. They will learn how to properly measure, mix and work with plaster. Each participant will choose between making either two one-part molds or one two-part mold, depending on their interest and comfort level. 

  • Part 1: Introduction (30 minutes)

    • Overview of how plaster molds are used in ceramics

    • Slip casting demo using a plaster mold

    • Do's and don’ts of working with plaster

    • Mixing plaster: proper ratios, timing, and safety tips

    Part 2: Mold Setup Demo (30–45 minutes)

    • Demo on preparing both one-part and two-part mold setups

    • Key considerations: registration marks, parting lines, sealing, and mold walls

    • Group Q&A before students begin

    Part 3: Mold Making (2.5 hours)

    • Each participant selects a provided object

    • Individual setup for one-part or two-part mold based on choice

    • Measuring and calculating plaster and water volumes

    • Mixing plaster and pouring molds Conclusion & Wrap-Up (15–30 minutes)

    • Open Q&A for troubleshooting and next steps

    • Studio and table cleanup 

Slip Casting for Beginners with Catalina Parra of Base Ceramics

  • This beginner-friendly workshop introduces participants to the fundamentals of slip casting.

    Students will learn how to use different slips, cast with plaster molds, and attach shape and

    patterns. Each participant will make and take home two pieces:

    • One cup with 2 tones of slip patterns

    • One cup with added attachments

  • Part 1: Introduction

    • Overview of slip casting

    • Introduction to plaster molds and slip materials

    Part 2: Slip Application & Casting

    • Demo: Mixing color stains into slip to create custom colored slips

    • Each participant will use different color slip to create patterns in a plaster mold and cast the first cup. Timers will be set for 60–70 minutes for the casting process

    Part 3: Seams & Attachments (60–80 minutes)

    • Learn how to clean seams and prepare cast surfaces

    • Learn how to attach pre-made shapes/handles to a provided leather-hard cup

    • First cups will be poured out, left to rest for 10 minutes, then flipped to cut the rims.

On the Surface: Decorative Techniques for Ceramics with Nina Berinstein

  • In this workshop, you’ll learn various surface decoration techniques that involve slips, oxides & other washes, underglazes, and texturing. Get a deeper dive into specific techniques such as mishima, sgraffito, and water etching. Learn more about tools used and tips for optimal application on both greenware and bisqueware.

  • The course will include 2 days of 4-5 hours of lecture/lesson time across 3 weeks (students will have access to the studio for 3 weeks to work on pieces and practice techniques).

    Week 1 will include a lecture and demos on greenware decoration technisues. Week 2 will be benchtime for students to practice techniques and prepare bisque work for Week 3.

    Week 3 will include another lecture/lesson and demos on bisque decoration, as well as glaze techniques for final firing.

Nerikomi & Neriage with a/d gayle

  • Learn how to use various colored clay to intentionally design and make patterns with clay to both handbuild (nerikomi) and wheelthrow (neriage). Note: this class will discuss colorants and mixing clay, but clay will already be stained and provided for students.

  • This is a one-day workshop (11am-5pm) with a lunch break. Students will:

    • Learn about staining clays

    • Making canes/patterns

    • Make pieces out of the patterned slabs

    • Learn about finishing up pieces post-firing

    • Receive a neriage demo/talk and try it out on the wheel

Glaze Chemistry & Application with Michael Gundlach

  • Learn about glaze chemistry and application techniques! This course is for potters ready to dive more into the technical aspect of glazing.

  • This is a two day hands-on class in which students will learn about the chemistry of glazing and practice recipes provided by the instructor to better understand what different materials do for glazes. In addition, test pieces with the glazes made in class will be fired and there will be a third day for a short talk and review of glaze results.

Body Mechanics with HanaKyle Moranz

  • This is an interactive workshop on how to use your body effectively for less pain and more success while wheel throwing or handbuilding. HanaKyle will guide you in aligning your whole body and engaging muscles effectively to leverage the strength you already have while throwing, handbuilding at a table (standing or sitting), and in associated tasks, including wedging. All levels of experience are welcome.

  • This workshop can be held in 2.5 or 3 hours. In that time, we will:

    • practice specific stretches and mobility movements to prepare for and/or counteract the physical patterns of wheel throwing

    • discuss areas of concern in the body and relevant anatomical details, with plenty of time for Q&A

    • explore the details of how we use fingers, hands, wrists, neck, back, and shoulders in this work

    • try out ergonomic variations of common techniques and get feedback in the moment

    You’ll learn:

    • How to use leverage to minimize fatigue

    • Stretches to do before, during, and after a session on the wheel

    • How to arrange your body to decrease pain or discomfort

    • Mindfulness to apply to every moment of your clay practice

  • This course is dedicated to learning about the forms and anatomy of teapots – bodies, galleries, lids, & spouts. This is primarily a wheel-thrown class that requires a level of proficiency in wheel-throwing. Students should be able to wedge, center clay, and make a variety of forms on the wheel beyond cylinders. The class will also include a number of handbuilt elements, but students will not need to have extensive handbuilding experience.

  • This class is for students who have experience with clay already, and will focus on wheel-throwing. Students should be able to wedge, center clay, and make basic cylinders without help. 

Teapots! with Ian Privett

Get a Handle on Mugs with Barbara Stone

  • This course is dedicated to analyzing everything about mugs and mug handles – what informs our decisions on form, function, and design, and what techniques can be employed to carry out our optimal mugs.

  • This class is for students who have experience with clay already, and will focus on wheel-throwing. Students should be able to wedge, center clay, and make basic cylinders without help. 

Get Lit: Lamp Making with TBD

  • This is a multi-day workshop in which students will learn about how to design and build lamps, as well as how to wire them properly.

  • Class format to be shared soon!

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Workshop Details

Workshop Cancellation Policy: 

To request a cancellation and full refund minus a $50 processing fee, you must contact us in writing within 1 week prior to the first class of your workshop. Request within 1 week of the first class and you’ll receive a credit for a future class minus a $50 cancellation fee. There are no refunds for cancellation requests made within 48 hours before the start of the workshop or for no-shows. Email info@clayspacebk.com with your cancellation request.

We May Cancel:

If the class does not fill sufficiently, we may cancel and try to move students to another class, apply tuition to another class, semester, or gift card, or provide a full refund.

Missed Class Policy :

There will be no make ups and no refund for missed classes.