Wild Pottery – Smoke Cloud
An immersive two days in the woods learning how to dig and process wild clay, make your own pots, and fire them successfully in an open fire. The fire leaves permanent, unpredictable and beautiful ‘smoke cloud’ markings.
2026 courses
April 24 / 25 (Fri/Sat)*
July 18 / 19 (Sat/Sun)
August 29 / 30 (Sat/Sun)
October date TBC
Two days, 10.30am – 5pm both days
£290
Venue Open air woodland setting in a 70 acre ancient woodland on a family-run working farm, the peaceful and beautiful Dernwood Farm Nr Heathfield, East Sussex.
The tools and technology we’ll use on this course are, as far as is known, the same as used in Neolithic times on these lands, when pottery began.
Wild Pottery connects you to the origins of this ancient human craft.
What you’ll learn
How to dig, process and prep wild clay for open firings.
How to make pots using simple hand-building techniques
Day 1: Earth & water We’ll dig clay onsite and you’ll learn how to identify it in the landscape.
You’ll process the raw clay, learning how to make it strong enough to survive the fire. We’ll discuss the ‘what, why, how’ of temper and you will make your own to add to the clay.
There will be time to make a couple of items, using simple hand-building techniques.
Day 2: Fire & wood We’ll prep the site together and organise the firewood for firing your pots in an open fire.
You’ll see the pots glowing red hot as the fire transforms them into ceramic. It’s an exciting and magical process.
Your pots will be cool enough by the end of the day to take home with you.
What’s included
A simple but hearty and delicious organic vegetarian lunch is provided, cooked on the camp fire. We’ll also have a kettle on the fire, with teas, biscuits and fresh fruit available all day.
I aim to offer you a satisfying learning experience as well as an enjoyable time away from it all.
To support you in getting the most from the days, we’ll connect to the woodland surroundings through a short and simple, guided mindfulness-based practice.
Two wonderful days of creative discovery, earthing and connectedness. I especially appreciated your careful pacing and clear explanations of the whole process, with time also to stop and take stock, reflect and celebrate. Can’t wait to do the next Wild Pottery course! Annabel F, London
Suitable for all levels.
This course covers all the technicals in depth and detail. For this reason it’s recommended as a foundation for my other Wild Pottery courses.
This may not be for you if you’re a studio potter hoping to learn from the course how to make your studio practice more sustainable.
Although some elements of what you’ll learn will be transferable to the studio, Ruby doesn’t teach about studio techniques.
The focus of this course is on wild clay and open firing.
Check out all my Wild Pottery courses
Groups are limited to 12 participants.
Accommodation: camping is available at the farm venue, and full details about this will be sent to you when you book on the course. The farm also has glamping options, including cosy bell tents and cabins with wood-burners. The cost of staying at the farm is not included in the course. Read about accommodation options.
*April course: onsite accommodation opens May 1st, so will be unavailable for this particular course. However, there are lots of great places to stay nearby, and this page gives you info about options.
Any questions? please have a look at the FAQ page
See you in the woods!
The clay: Native Hands has a special agreement with the farm venue to dig small amounts of clay on Wild Pottery courses. This permission does not extend to people who aren’t course participants.
Featured in the Guardian lifestyle section. National Geographic & Toyota put Native Hands in their top 125 UK adventures.
