Creative Hand-Building Pottery Workshops in Mumbai
You don't need a potter's wheel to create beautiful ceramics. In these workshops, we use tactile methods like slab, coil, and Japanese Nerikomi to shape clay into functional, personal art.
The Japanese Nerikomi technique is so much fun. Here, we are combining different colored clays to create patterns before constructing the final piece.
In the Nerikomi course, we play with colored clays to create intricate patterns. This video shows the process of preparing and rolling out the clay to reveal the design.
You can sculpt your ideas in clay in my Wall Art workshops. This student is creating a beautiful piece with floral details using relief sculpting techniques.
This is how we create the swirled patterns in our Nerikomi course. We layer different colored clays and then roll them out to create these beautiful, organic designs.
A look at the Nerikomi process from start to finish. We mix pigments into the clay, roll it out, and create a spiral pattern that looks amazing on a finished plate.
This was a very special workshop where we used pottery as a way to open up conversations about women's health. It was a beautiful session of sharing and creating.
Our wall art workshops are a great way to express your creativity. Here you can see students working on their unique clay tiles in our sunny studio.
These are some special pieces made in private workshops. People create them for special occasions, like a birthday or anniversary, making them truly personal.
A collection of beautiful plates and cups made using the Japanese Nerikomi technique. Each piece has a unique marbled pattern created by layering colored clays.
More beautiful Nerikomi plates created by participants in my workshops. The marbled effect of the blue and white clay is just lovely.
About Creative Hand-Building
You don't need to be an artist to join, just willing to get your hands messy. I will guide you through techniques like slab rolling or Japanese Nerikomi, where we layer colored clays to create unique, intricate patterns. Expect to walk away with a functional piece like a plate or mug that we’ll finish, fire, and have ready for you to collect in about four weeks.
While the potter's wheel gets a lot of attention, hand-building offers a completely different, often more meditative connection to clay. It is a slow, thoughtful process that allows you to shape, sculpt, and construct at your own pace.
What we explore in these sessions:
- Japanese Nerikomi: This is one of my favorite techniques. We mix pigments directly into the clay and layer them to create stunning, marbled patterns before we even start building the piece. It feels like magic to watch the pattern reveal itself as you work.
- Slab & Coil Building: We use tools to roll out slabs of clay to create plates, bowls, or sculptural wall art. It is tactile and forgiving, making it perfect for beginners.
- Sculpting: If you have an idea in your head, we find a way to build it. Whether it is a small wall tile or a functional piece for your home, I help you translate your thoughts into a physical form.
My studio is tucked away in Pali Hill, Bandra. It’s a quiet, green space where the city noise fades into the background. I find that when you are working with your hands—pinching clay, rolling slabs, or smoothing edges—your mind naturally shifts into a calmer space.
The practical details: Because we are working with high-fire stoneware clay, every piece goes through a careful post-production process. I personally handle the trimming, glazing, and two rounds of kiln firing for every participant. This ensures your final creation is durable, non-toxic, and food-safe. It does mean you have to wait about four weeks to pick up your finished work, but holding a piece you made from a lump of mud is worth it.
The Pottery Lab
I’m Rekha, and for me, pottery is all about finding a bit of quiet in the middle of Mumbai’s rush. Whether you’ve never touched clay before or just want to try something new, my studio at Pali Hill is a space to slow down and create something with your own hands.
Still looking for the right fit?
You can search for specific pottery workshops or private events here.
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