September 2 - 16

The Lessons

This retreat is suitable if:

• You’ve never done ceramics before.

• You have some handbuilding experience and want to add wheel throwing as support or expansion.

• You’ve tried throwing but centering still feels like a disaster (or sheer luck).

• You’ve thrown before but never had the time to really practice — and now want two uninterrupted weeks at the wheel without distractions, deadlines, or dishes.

The Content

Week 1
You’ll learn the fundamentals of wheel throwing: wedging clay, centering, pulling walls, trimming, and drying. In just a few days, you’ll make progress that normally takes months.

Week 2
You’ll work on throwing higher forms with thinner, more even walls. This is where you make big steps — far more than you would with just a few hours of lessons per week. At the end, you’ll choose which pieces you want to have finished. Everything is dried slowly, glazed, fired, and later shipped to you.

Because some pieces will already be ready to glaze, you can also choose to glaze a selection yourself, with any glazes available. Finished work can be taken home in your luggage if you prefer.

The Goal / Expected Outcome

We’ll focus on throwing cylinders, forming bowls, and adding simple shapes and details — the foundation for making cups, bowls, and maybe even a small vase.

After two weeks of intensive wheel-throwing, a beginner should have:

• A solid understanding of the main techniques: centering, opening, and pulling walls.

• Hands-on experience with basic forms such as cylinders and bowls.

• Familiarity with trimming and attaching handles (for cups/mugs).

• A first taste of simple decorative techniques.

Your pieces won’t be perfect — they don't have to be — but you’ll leave with a real feel for the clay and growing confidence at the wheel. The rest is mileage you’ll build back home.

The Teacher

Gudrun is the dedicated instructor for beginners and intermediate throwers.
She knows exactly where the challenges are when learning to throw and has made it her specialty to break down technical steps in a clear and efficient way. Her approach is direct, precise, and surprisingly effective: many students manage to center within half an hour — something that normally takes days or even weeks.

With her patience, accuracy, and genuine enthusiasm, Gudrun creates a space where every student feels supported. Beginners notice real progress quickly. After one week you can expect a well-shaped bowl and cup, and often even that first handmade vase.

Because the workshops taught by guest instructors require an advanced level, Gudrun teaches all beginner and intermediate classes. She ensures every student builds a strong technical foundation and the confidence to move on to more complex forms and techniques.

Bio

To book

Below you can book this retreat and secure your spot. Please indicate which room you'd like to book. You can view the various rooms, their prices, and the cancellation policies under " Prices & Terms ." I hope to see you soon at Ceramicaza in the Dream House.