Curiosity Pieces: A Hand-Building Workshop

Monday May 11th 2026 🌘

5:30 pm -9:30 pm 

Clay has long been used in storytelling and sacred practice. An earthen altar made with your own hands adds to your story by holding meaning, memory, and the ritual of creating. Make your mini altar: a vessel for intention, remembrance, and presence.

Join me, Shazieh, for a meditative hand-building clay workshop where curiosity meets ritual. Together, we’ll create a small wall or table top piece that can serve as altars, vessels of intention, or simply objects of wonder.

Using approachable techniques like pinching, coiling, and slab work, you’ll shape clay into forms that reflect both playfulness and meaning while learning ceramic hand building tehniques.  

Between demos and hands-on guidance, you’ll follow your own impulses—adding texture, carving, stamped words or natural elements—to bring depth and spirit into your creation. Plants can be foraged in the backyard to imprint into your pieces or bring your favorite herb or texture tool.

We’ll gather at 5:30 pm and connect and since we are meeting in the evening, a vegan Pakistani daal and rice dish will be served at the beginning to ensure we are all nourished. This will be followed by iced or hot tea- depending on the weather - and our signature Persian Love Cake.

The workshop will follow, beginning at 6:15 pm and end at 9:30 pm. Dress for the weather, working outdoors and clay play! We will meet under a covered patio.

No prior experience with clay is needed; just curiosity and an openness to create. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have one piece ready to be fired, each carrying your own imprint of intention, imagination, and transformation to use in the new season. The pieces will take time to dry and be ready for pick up by mid June. 

What’s Included:

• Clay 5-8 lbs, tools to use and foraged plants.

• Guidance in hand-building techniques

• Inspiration samples and prompts for designing altar pieces.

• You will make: One altar piece up to 6” - 7” tall, and if time permits, an incense burner.

• Firing and finishing of your work by me  to be picked up after 4-6 weeks. 

• Love Cake, tea and vegan dinner.

• Who It’s For:

Anyone interested in clay, creativity, and personal expression. Beginners welcome!

Note:

Limit 8 participants.

Bring a journal to sketch, a water bottle to stay hydrated and an apron. 

Scheduling pick up post firing is flexible and arranged individually to honor your and my rhythm and availability.

Please note: Because this is a small, intimate experience with limited space, all bookings are final and we are unable to offer refunds.

A vegan meal of rice and lentils will be served during the workshop. We are unable to accommodate all dietary needs or guarantee an allergen-free environment. By attending, you acknowledge and accept any risks related to food allergies or sensitivities. Food is prepared in a home/shared kitchen environment.