Special7-dayHandbuilding

One-week Hand-building course with Angelica Tulimiero

A week of hand-building with Angelica Tulimiero — pinching, coiling and slab work to shape expressive vessels without the wheel.

from €1,600See 1 available date

One-week Hand-building course with Angelica Tulimiero

Is this course right for you?

This course is right for you if you:

Already have some experience in ceramics or the plastic arts and want to take your skills further.
Are a motivated beginner eager to fully immerse yourself in ceramics for an intensive week.
Are curious about hand-building and wish to explore techniques beyond wheel-throwing.
Want to learn a broad range of methods, from pinching and slab rolling to advanced approaches like Neriage/Nerikomi and collant au mika.
Aspire to create both functional pieces and sculptural, expressive forms while developing your own artistic voice.

Dates & availability

21–27 Mar 2027

with Angelica Tulimiero · Studio 3 · €1,600

2 spots left

View availability

About this course

This course is an exploration of the richness of ceramic techniques beyond wheelthrowing: from pinching, through slab building to nerikomi.

Although open to all levels, it is particularly recommended for students with previous experience in ceramics or the plastic arts. It offers an in-depth exploration of hand-building techniques, designed for those who wish to further develop and refine their skills.

Your teacher, Angelica Tulimiero, will guide you in creating both functional and sculptural forms, organic or geometric, through a variety of hand-building techniques.

Over the sessions, students will be introduced to a range of fundamental techniques while being encouraged to develop their own ideas and creative voice. As the workshop unfolds, students will progressively engage with more advanced methods, including:

Slab rolling for structured forms and architectural projects.
Neriage/Nerikomi, the Japanese technique of layering and marbling stained clays to achieve intricate surface patterns.
Organic shaping with the collant au mika method, allowing for fluid and sculptural experimentation.

Each technical introduction is followed by extended studio time, during which participants can plan, design, and develop their own projects with individual guidance. Breaks are woven into the schedule, offering space for reflection and informal exchange.

Decoration will be introduced as the final stage, with demonstrations of surface treatments and creative finishing techniques. The course concludes with dedicated time to complete and personalize each work.

By the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to choose which piece(s) you would like fired, glazed, and shipped to you. As pieces need approximately a week to dry out, this will be done for you once the retreat has concluded.

Schedule of the week＋

This is an intensive learning week! Teaching is primarily group-based with moments of individual feedback built in. Please note this is not one-on-one tuition.

You will be in the studio from Monday at 09:00 through to approximately 17:00 on Friday afternoon. Studio time is a combination of teaching and non-teaching time. You can expect a typical day to look like this:

08:00 - Yoga in the courtyard (optional)

09:00 - 13:00 - Studio (teaching with a coffee/tea break at 10:30 in the courtyard)

13:00 - Shared lunch in the courtyard

14:00 - 16:30 - Free Studio Time - Afternoon studio hours are primarily self-directed practice, with your teacher available in the studio for guidance

19:00 - Dinners are a combination of eating at local restaurants, home restaurants, and in-house at the studio

Please note

Our program is carefully designed to balance teaching, practice, meals, and cultural experiences, and we do our best to follow the planned schedule. However, all times and activities are indicative and may shift with the season, the weather, or the needs of the group. Studio sessions, meals, and excursions may be adjusted, rescheduled, or substituted at our discretion. Flexibility is part of the Salemi Ceramics experience, and we believe these small changes often add to the richness of your time with us.

What you'll take home＋

By the end of the course, you will not only take home finished ceramic works but also a solid foundation in a range of hand-building techniques. You will gain experience in:

Pinching, slab rolling, and other essential forming methods.
Japanese Neriage/Nerikomi for creating layered and marbled patterns.
Organic shaping techniques such as collant au mika.
Surface decoration and finishing methods to give your work character and detail.

While the course is focused on learning and exploration rather than production, you will also have the opportunity to keep some of the pieces you make. The course includes the firing and glazing of up to 3 kg of dry clay. Additional clay can be fired and glazed at a cost of 25€/kg.

Please note:

We do not ship unglazed bisque pieces, as they are too fragile.

What happens after you book

1
Book your date
Secure your spot on WeTravel with the deposit or the full amount.
2
Confirmation
Two confirmation emails arrive - one from WeTravel, one from us - plus a short form for your personal and travel details.
3
60 days before
If you paid a deposit, the balance is due now. Reminders come 7 days before, 3 days before and on the day.
4
30 days before
Your course info pack: arrival and departure details, course structure, useful tips, transfer and shipping costs.
5
10 days before
You'll be invited to the course WhatsApp group and receive the shipping address form. Then - see you in Salemi!

Common questions

Can I pay a deposit instead of the full amount?＋

Yes - paying the deposit confirms your place. The balance is due 60 days before the course starts, and you'll get automated reminders so nothing sneaks up on you.

What happens right after I book?＋

Two confirmation emails (WeTravel + Salemi Ceramics) and a short form for your personal and travel details. Everything else - info pack, WhatsApp group - follows automatically in the weeks before your course.

What if I need to cancel or change dates?＋

Contact us as early as possible and we'll look at options together. The full cancellation and transfer terms are in the Terms and Conditions.

Do I need to prove my skill level?＋

Beginner courses need no experience at all. Intermediate and advanced courses ask for a short self-assessment before booking, so we can make sure the course fits where you are.