Creative Industries - Ceramics

This will be a hands-on practical course based in our pottery studio at the Eltham Neighbourhood House. You can already have pottery skills or be a beginner. You will cover different clay-making techniques as well as some practical topics on starting your own small business. Topics covered will include:

-       Develop new techniques including hand-building, wheel throwing, ceramic jewellery-making, decoration and coiling

-       Glazing techniques and firing

-       Learn the benefit of keeping a Visual Art diary

-       Planning a market stall or exhibition

-       How to photograph and display your work for marketing purposes – led by a Digital Photography tutor

-       Branding, marketing and positioning

-       Pricing your work for sale

-       Nillumbik Council will discuss regulations and support for small businesses in Nillumbik Shire Council

Throughout the course you will work on a few pieces and design ideas, including your own brand, which you can then display at the end of the course at our centre in an exhibition and put up for sale if you wish. 

Dates: Monday 3 February - 31 March 2025 (9 sessions)

Time: 5:45pm - 9:15pm

Location: Eltham Clay Studio, Eltham Living & Learning, 739 Main Rd, Eltham 3095

The below fees include a small portion of clay and firing per person, additional firing and clay will need to be purchased separately.

Government-subsidised funded - $140 enrolment fee (includes $40 amenities fee).

You are eligible for a government subsidised fee if you are a permanent resident and/or Australian or New Zealand citizen who is not enrolled in mainstream secondary school. Please note we will need to sight your Green Medicare card to confirm your eligibility.

Concession card holder - $80 enrolment fee (includes $40 amenities fee).

This fee is available to people who hold any of the following:

• Commonwealth Health Care Card
• Pensioner Concession Card
• Veterans Gold Card.

Please note we will need to sight your card to confirm your eligibility. 

Full Fee or Third Party payment - $434 enrolment fee (includes $40 amenities fee).

This fee is for participants who are either:

• under 17 years of age
• are not eligible for funded enrolment
• receive funding from other sources (for example NDIS).
• have participated in the same course in the same year.

Please note: if under 17 years of age and disengaged from school, participants will need to obtain an official Transition from School Form for us to sight.

Withdrawals and refunds

Refer to our Enrolment Terms and Conditions for information about withdrawals and refunds in our courses.

Please wear clothes appropriate for working with clay, including an apron. 

You will also need:

- A Visual Arts Diary

- If you don't already have one, a ceramics starter kit from either Northcote Pottery, Walkers or Victoria Art Supplies.
This is usually a small pencil case with 4 tools and a sponge which is all you will need to get started. 

Emma Amos is a full time artist in Nillumbik, specialising in unique hand built ceramic jewelry and homewares. As a business owner and creative with 25 years experience she can help answer your questions in relation to taking your art and creating a business. Emma is very approachable and loves working with creative people. If you would like to check her out she can be found at www.oakandamber.com or instagram at oakandamberart.

Enrol here for Term 1 2025

or express your interest below for future workshops.

Expressions of Interest 2025

If you are applying for government funding you will need to present your Medicare card/ concession card at one of our centres prior to the start of the course in order to be eligible for the reduced fee.