come Play with Clay in Portugal!
Classes and Workshops
Whether you are local to the Silver Coast area and looking for a place to learn ceramics, or want to visit us for an immersive clay experience, we have a variety of options to choose from. Below is the current list of classes, retreats, residency options and workshops for 2026. Special workshops and classes for groups are also available upon request.
. Be sure to sign up for emails to learn when new classes are added.
The Magic of Double Walled Pottery with Jordan Coons July 12-18
Join Jordan Coons in rural Portugal for an immersive 5-day workshop exploring the magic of double-walled pottery. Together, we’ll handbuild and throw/assemble layered vessels, learning the structural techniques that make these forms possible — and the carving methods Jordan uses to transform solid walls of clay into intricate, light-catching surfaces.
Tiered Pricing:
- Workshop + lunch only 400€
- Workshop, meals, day trips 1,475€
- Workshop, meals, day trips and lodging 1,860€ - 2,150€
Minimum: 4/ Maximum: 12
Woven Porcelain with Stela Ivanova- August 10-16
Learn the innovative techniques of ceramic artist Stela Ivanova, who creates delicate porcelain sculptures with intricate patterns reminiscent of lace or fabric, through the careful setting of porcelain coils. Thanks to controlled collapse during high-temperature firing, the rigid, raw pieces are transformed into unique sculptures with a characteristic organic beauty.
We'll have a clear view of the total solar eclipse (95% totality from Portugal), visit Stela's studio, and local cultural and architectural sites, plus Nazare beach, home of the giant waves.
Tiered Pricing:
- Workshop + lunch only 400€
- Workshop, meals, day trips 1,475€
- Workshop, meals, day trips and lodging 1,860€-2150€
Min: 6/ Max: 10
Secrets of Master Potters - Learn to Throw BIG and Tall with Sondra Elder- September 1-6
Join us for an immersive wheel throwing experience with Sondra Elder. Over five days, Sondra will demonstrate how to throw forms in multiple pieces and make them look like they were thrown as one. You'll learn how to get that elusive clay from the bottom to the top, and how to strengthen the piece so an additional piece may be added.
You'll learn many of the tips that potters need to successfully throw tall including speed control, compression, firming, and body dynamics.
Even the smallest potters can make pieces that are only limited by the size of their kiln.
Tiered Pricing:
- Workshop + lunch only 800€
- Workshop, meals, day trips 2,100€
- Workshop, meals, day trips and lodging 2,500€ - 2,825€
Minimum:6/Maximum: 12
Saturday
Hand Building Workshops
Max students 6. Min 2
Handbuilding workshops will be added when there is enough interest to host a class. Some options for workshops are below. Please contact me to register interest and be notified when the next workshop is happening.
Intro to Clay: Let’s Make Pinch Pots 40€
This is one of the oldest and easiest ways to make pots, simply by starting with a ball of clay and pinching from the center out to make the walls of the form.
It’s a great introduction to working with clay and we’ll learn how to make a small cup or a bowl, by slightly varying the technique. At the end of class you can choose a color of glaze, and Nicole will glaze and fire the pieces for you, or you can choose to glaze your own pieces or sign up for the glaze workshop to glaze your own.
Building Mugs with Slabs 50€ (includes materials, firing and instruction)
Make a mug using a pattern and slabs.
- Rolling even slabs
- Slip and score slabs together
- Making and attaching handles
At the end of class you can choose a color of glaze, and Nicole will glaze and fire the pieces for you, or you can choose to glaze your own pieces and attend the glaze workshop.
Plates, Bowls and Platters made with slabs and molds 50€ (includes materieas, firing and instruction)
Make a plate, platter or bowl using slabs and molds. We will use stamps, slip trailing and rollers to decorate.
- We will roll patterns into the slabs, before creating forms with the molds
- Adding a foot to trays, or handles to serving trays
At the end of class you can choose a color of glaze, and Nicole will glaze and fire the pieces for you, or you can choose to glaze your own pieces and attend the glaze workshop.
Coiling to build a Pot 50€
This class will focus on coil building techniques. We’ll learn how to roll even coils from balls of clay, and how to attach coils to build a pot. Students can choose to build a bowl, cup, or vase.
At the end of class you can choose a color of glaze, and Nicole will glaze and fire the pieces for you, or you can choose to glaze your own pieces and attend the glaze workshop.
Butter dish
We will use slabs, patterns, and forms to build a butter dish.
Can add texture or carve patterns into the form. Choose a glaze for Nicole to glaze for you, or come back once it's fire for a glazing workshop.
Wall mounted candle holder
We will use slabs, and wooden forms to create a back and candle holder to hang on the wall.
Options to add texture or carve designs into the candle holder
Contact Me
Sign Up For Classes
Contact me via email using the button below to sign up for classes. Or Contact me via WhatsApp with Questions or to sign up. Just let me know which classes you're interested in, and we'll go from there.
Open Studio Hours
If you're looking for a place to work on your own projects, open studio is for you! How does it work? Click the button below for details.