earthcraft rituals
moments of connection & creation together
in creative workshops
next available opportunities to join
6th april - play with clay
13th april - sculpting mushrooms and more
2nd may - grief pebbles
4th may - play with clay
11th may - sculpting mushrooms and more
24th & 25th may - psychedelic ceramics masterclass
1st june - play with clay
6th june - grief pebbles
8th june - sculpting mushrooms and more
26th & 27th july - psychedelic ceramics masterclass
psychedelic ceramics masterclass
2-part ceramics workshop exploring flow and surrender through creation
Since 2020, Harriet has been developing their nerikomi technique to create psychedelic marbling in ceramics. They have been teaching this workshop since 2021 and are excited to share the latest workshop with new coloured clays in their cosy green studio in Amsterdam Zuidoost.
In this guided workshop, Harriet will demonstrate how to create nerikomi patterns and how to slab build your own design.
This is a weekend workshop over two days, as this will allow you to produce the most beautiful pieces. On Saturday you will learn to slab build and how to create the initial marbling and/or nerikomi patterns, and then on Sunday you will refine and finish your pieces. All work will then be fired and glazed so that it is food and dishwasher safe.
Suitable for all levels of experience!
Workshop includes tuition, materials, firing, snacks and drinks.
Example of student work and photographs from previous workshops are visible in the above slideshow.
You will create 2-4 pieces of unique psychedelic ceramics art.
play with clay
let yourself play and learn about handbuilding with clay
Join professional artist, Harriet, in their studio to explore creative play with clay. Harriet will explain pinching, coiling, slab building, sculpting techniques and their process of reclaiming clay.
Suitable for all levels of experience.
There will be the possibility to destroy, as well as create, with a focus on creative play. If you decide you would like to keep your work, then Harriet will fire and glaze your creations for an additional 30 euros. This can be paid in advance on webshop or in person at the end of the workshop.
You are always welcome to come with ideas and moodboards inspiring what you would like to make, or something you have been struggling with and would like guidance on.
sculpting mushrooms and more
sculpting with clay workshop
Join a professional artist in their atelier in Zuidoost to explore handbuilding with clay.
Would you like to learn how to sculpt with clay and/or add sculptural elements to a pot?
There are two options possible with as much guidance as you would like.
Option 1: Using slab building techniques you will build a vessel (such as a vase/ mug/ bowl/ plant pot) which you can then attach sculptural elements onto.
Option 2: You can freestyle sculpt with guidance on requirements for firing, should you choose to keep your creation.
Suitable for all levels of experience.
The focus is more on creative play and developing skills than creating pieces to keep, but it is possible to fire (and glaze) your creations for an additional 30 euros.
It is also possible to sign up to two sessions in a day in order to work on a more complex piece for longer.
Feel free to bring inspiration or something you would like to sculpt from, some reference items will be provided, with a demonstration given.
grief pebbles
monthly guided handbuilding workshop
where sharing grief (and big feelings) is encouraged
My aim is that we work with our hands and share conversation about how we are dealing with our individual and collective grief. I hope that creations will eventually become part of a collective sculpture.
These sessions are free to join.
This is a continuation of the work started during my residency at StrandLAB in 2024.
It is also possible to bring your own craft to these sessions.
If you have questions please feel free to reach out.
Sign up for grief pebble sessions is via email to harrietsmithdesign@gmail.com
private workshops
more information available coming soon…
lets make art
faqs & more information
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I use the term ritual to refer to a sequence of activities designed with a specific intention. The rituals (or workshops) I offer are designed to give participants the opportunity to play and create alongside other people. They will take place at my own artist atelier (unless stated otherwise), which is a small green oasis in Amsterdam Zuidoost.
Gift yourself (or someone you love) the ritual of being an artist in an artist studio alongside an artist. No experience or specialist ability needed.
I hope that my rituals are social, repeated and spiritually nourishing. -
I have been teaching for four years and refining my workshops based on my interest in craft, feelings and entanglement.
I am not aiming to create a commercial ceramics studio where my income is a result of selling as many workshops as possible. Instead I want to invite people into my practice and love of craft, and ideally into relation with each other (for the length of workshop).
I care about your intention. I can hold space for fluidity, for different needs, abilities and experience levels, and for different interests. -
My atelier is located within OAZO (Open Ateliers Zuidoost), at Kruitberg 1002A. It is up one flight of stairs and has a shared toilet.
The studio is very close to Kraaiennest metro station (53 line) and there is bike parking in front plus (paid) parking spots nearby for cars. -
I will contact you once your work is back in my studio. I aim to do this within 3-4 weeks but currently I rent a kiln nearby so this can sometimes change.
Work can be collected from my atelier for free or posted for cost of postage.
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I have been teaching since 2021.
I am happy to be hands on or hands off, but I will make alongside you so that you can see each step of the process. I also find this helps visual learners.
I always aim to cater each class to the individuals in the class depending on previous experience and learning styles. I have led mixed ability, all beginners, and more advanced workshops. I have taught private one-to-one sessions and led 40 person workshops. In my atelier I guide a maximum of four participants. -
Psychedelic ceramics is a 2-part weekend workshop which takes place at Harriet’s artist studio in Amsterdam Zuidoost. They will guide you in the creation of 2-3 psychedelic marbled ceramics, which will then be fired, then glazed with a transparent glaze ready for you to collect.
Play with clay is less focused on creating a specific piece than spending a few hours making space for play. You can be taught handbuilding techniques or you can simply touch clay for a few hours. It is possible to fire your work for an additional cost, this makes the class more sustainable and more affordable. If you sign up to multiple sessions you may also continue working on the same piece.
Sculpting mushrooms and more is a guided handbuilding workshop with a sculptural focus. It is possible to fire your work for an additional cost, this makes the class more sustainable and more affordable. If you sign up to multiple sessions you may also continue working on the same piece.
Grief pebbles is both a ritual and a guided workshop, more focused on sharing, feeling and creating than a specific outcome.
Each workshop includes tuition, materials, tea, coffee, fruit and biscuits. It is stated whether firing (to keep the creations) is included when booking. -
Currently this is my focus, yes :)
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Please reach out!
Unfortunately, the studio is up one flight of stairs so the studio is not fully accessible.
I have multiple lighting options, a cosy space to sit away from the ceramics table, and music can always be turned off or changed to suit sensory preferences. This will be discussed at the start of the workshop. You can also communicate this before if that is more comfortable for you. -
Yes!
I hope to share more online soon, but you can always reach out to me with your dream workshop ideas and budget.
I have taught private themed workshops at my studio for a maximum of 6 people. These have included ceramic pumpkin carving, mug decorating, and tarot themed handbuilding.
For groups larger than 4 people it is also possible for me to rent a location for the workshop.
In addition I have carried out larger workshops on site, where the organisation has provided a location, and I provide the clay, tools and guidance. Creations can then be delivered back to location after firing. -
Ceramics is a costly process with a significant environmental impact.
Clay is typically quarried from the earth on large sites and transported long distances.
If you want to keep your ceramics you typically run a bisque and glaze firing up to 1200 degrees celsius, each one taking 12+ hours in an electric kiln.
Once fired it will last a very long time but has a higher embodied energy. This is why I encourage a certain amount of destruction. Slow intentional making is better than keeping every single piece.
When you come to a workshop I typically spend up to an hour before setting up and 30 minutes after cleaning. If you decide to keep your pieces I will also transport them to the kiln, run a firing, glaze each piece and then run a second firing. Firing is fairly expensive, due to energy usage.
I offer clay workshops without firing to improve accessibility, environmental impact and reduce costs.
If my workshops are still too expensive to you please get in touch, I am always interested in improving access to this craft and am also open to trades.