Ceramics with Floral Imprints: Make Functional Tableware

Meet Hessa, visual artist, ceramicist, and your teacher for this course. She talks you through her creative journey that led her to found Clay Corner Studio in Ajman and how her work has evolved over the years. Then hear about her influences and her sources of inspiration.

Get an overview of the materials needed and see how to prepare your workspace. Hessa then introduces you to fundamental pottery-making techniques before learning about important safety considerations when making food-safe products. Learn how to make your own plaster forms and molds with just two ingredients. Then, explore different types of leaves and wildflowers that work best with clay.

Time to start building! First, see how to roll out and cut the clay according to the shape of the desired tableware. Next, learn how to carefully imprint your botanical elements. Then, Hessa demonstrates how to form your piece by wrapping the clay on the plaster mold. Finally, assemble all the components using the score-and-slip technique. Hessa also explains the bisque firing process and how you can work with a local pottery studio to finish your creation.

Once your piece is bisque fired and ready for coloring, Hessa demonstrates how to glaze your tableware and bring it to life. She takes you step by step through the process of underglazing, clearing it to reveal the floral imprints, and sealing it to make it food-safe. Wrap up the course by seeing the final steps like glaze firing and preserving your piece.