Two Workshops and Oh So Much Learning!

My word for 2025 has been LEARN. I set myself the goal to grow in my art practice, take risks, and especially to build my pottery skills. Being a teacher at Elizabeth Bell Ceramics has given me access to so many opportunities, and I feel so lucky to work alongside people who are both highly skilled and deeply inspiring.

On top of this, I applied for the Artists and Creatives Professional Development Grant with the City of Greater Geelong and was successful. With that support, I was able to attend a six-week term class with Danny Cox. At the same time, I also joined Elizabeth Bell’s Production Pottery course, a full day intensive. The combined experience of these two workshops has changed how I throw forever.

Dramatic, I know, right? But it’s true! Here are some of the major takeaways I had.

In throwing, I learnt how to use my right knuckle while pulling up with my left hand like a ledge, and how to throw larger and centre bigger amounts of clay through some simple adjustments Danny taught me. I gained a much better understanding of weights and how to throw consistent forms. Using ribs to design and create uniformity was a huge breakthrough for me in Libby’s class. In her full-day workshop, I chose to keep nothing, cutting open every cylinder so I could reflect on the integrity of the form and gain her feedback. This helped me understand profiles and thickness in a way I hadn’t before.

In trimming, I finally learnt how to “tap centre” thanks to Danny’s patient demonstrations and his willingness to explain it again and again as I practised. I also learnt where to place my hands and elbows while trimming for stability. And Danny’s cheese-and-clay texture analogy; cheddar for leather-hard, brie for too soft, was both practical and memorable.

In teaching, I was inspired by the different styles both Danny and Elizabeth bring to their students. Danny’s calm, unhurried approach encouraged me to slow down and take my time at the wheel. His “joystick” demonstration for coning down was simple and so effective. A stand out wheel demonstration from Libby was when she demonstrated without any talking how she makes a cup efficiently in order to production throw. She then re-did the demo and broke down each step. This was incredibly helpful to see how I can cut down on time and make more in my studio. I also loved the way that Libby explained where to hold your hand when pulling up the wall of the clay, so that the clay flows through your hand instead of spinning into your fingers.

Throughout both courses, I prioritised learning over producing finished work. I made cylinder after cylinder, cutting many of them in half to receive feedback and understand the clay more deeply. This process was invaluable. I only kept two finished pieces from the six week course, but the real outcome was the growth in my skills. Between classes, I went home and practised, which reinforced what I learnt and helped me progress even faster.

“If you’re not breaking pots, you’re not learning.”

— Danny Cox

I am deeply grateful to the City of Greater Geelong for supporting my course at Elizabeth Bell Ceramics. This experience has truly shaped every pottery piece I create from now on.

A heartfelt thank you to Elizabeth Bell and Danny Cox for their encouragement, guidance, and generous sharing of their skills, which have helped me grow in both technique and confidence at the wheel.

Want to improve your pottery skills with expert guidance and enjoy a bonus gorgeous setting right next to Buckley’s Falls? Libby’s workshops offer a stunning waterfall view. Check out her classes on her website.

Elizabeth Bell Ceramics