Big mama – creating big sculptures
Published October 23, 2011Annie wanted to make a big round sculpture so she started by incising pieces of clay, placing them inside a big plaster mold. She then completed the globe using coils of clay to form the top sphere.
The globe is taken out of the mold and patted into shape. We wanted round, not pudding!
As long as a shape is completely closed up so that no air can escape, it can handle a fair bit of abuse. But once you create an opening and the air escapes, you will need to make sure it is properly supported.
The globe is placed back in the mold to firm up a bit more in the sun. 
And the details is added.
The globe is resting in a secure little nest of sheets while it dries up ready for the next step which will be the bisque firing.
www.annakeiller.com/workshops
Ceramic Workshops in Hastings Autum 2010
Published August 17, 2010
I have now had a chance to update my ceramic workshop diary with new dates for the autumn, and here they are..
http://annakeiller.com/workshops/workshop-diary/
There are two different workshop types to choose from;
Introduction to sculpting, plaque or bowl making without a wheel. These classes take place on Sundays from 10am – 3pm and include lunch, tea, coffee and cake. We basically work from 10am until lunch which is home made pasta with local sea food and salad followed by pud and coffee. I use organic produce and bread from Judges bakery.
After lunch we finish what we started during the morning session. Two weeks later, when I have fired the work, we meet up again to glaze and smoke fire.
These workshops are suitable for beginners and for people who have worked with clay before . The groups are small with max. 6 people.
The cost for two workshops is £70 including all materials, firings and lunch.
The 5 session workshops take place on Saturday afternoons and cover coiling, slab building and press moulding techniques as well as glazing and smoke firing. The sessions are 2.5 hours long and the cost for all 5 sessions including materials, firings, tea and refreshments is £120. Groups are small with max 6 participants.
New Ceramic Workshops
Published October 24, 2009
The groups are limited to five participants only, so book your place early to save disappointment.
To view my current workshop diary, where I’ll show you how to make a fern bowl like this, please go here
Ceramic workshop starting next Saturday!
Published September 26, 2009
My next ceramic workshop will start on Saturday 3rd October and run from 11-1.30pm. There are still some places available! The groups are limited to five participants only, so book your place early to save disappointment.
It is a five sessions workshop covering essential ceramic techniques such as coiling, slab building, press moulding and smoke firing. Each session is 2.5 hours long .
This course costs £110 + materials (approx. £10) .
To sign up or to find out more, please email me here To view my current workshop diary, please go here
Ceramic Workshops
Published September 14, 2009
Another series of unique Ceramic Courses near historic Hastings Old Town is starting on Saturday October 3rd and Tuesday October 6th.
To sign up for a course or to find out more, please email me here To view my current workshop diary, please go here
The courses are run from my studio in a fantastic period house overlooking historic Hastings Old town. In the summer the French doors are open towards the garden and the sea, and in the winter months a log fire in the ornate marble fireplace warms the room. Drawing on my 25 years of experience as a ceramic artist and teacher, these small and informal workshops will have you creating unique and amusing work in an easy way, whether you are a complete beginner or have previously worked with clay. There are two courses to choose from:
Course one – five workshop sessions covering essential ceramic techniques such as coiling, slab building, press moulding and smoke firing. Each session is 2.5 hours long and new courses start every month either weekdays or weekends. This course costs just £110 + materials (approx. £10) The first starting date this season is Saturday 3 October at 11-1.30pm To sign up or to find out more, please email me here 
Course two – Smoke firing! This is a series of three workshop sessions focusing on unique smoke firing techniques which I have developed over many years using sawdust and galvanised dustbins! A lot of fun and amazingly easy to learn. The sessions are between 1.5 and 2.5 hours long (6.5 hours in total), Course cost just £60 + materials (approx. £5) and the first stating date is Tuesday October 6th at 6.30-9pm.
Ceramic workshops – smoke firing!
Published March 2, 2009Late night smoke firing in the back garden! 
At my studio in Hastings I run ceramic workshops where I cover basic techniques such as coiling, slab building, press moulding and smoke firing. To join me, please email me here or go to www.ANNAKEILLER.co.uk to read more about my workshops.
Ceramic Workshops
Published January 24, 2009
At my studio in Hastings I run unique short ceramic workshops where I cover basic techniques such as coiling, slab building, press moulding and smoke firing.
Come and discover how much fun you can have with a piece of clay!
The courses are run from a fantastic period house overlooking historic Hastings Old town. In the summer the French doors are open towards the garden and the sea, and in the winter months a log fire in the ornate marble fireplace warms the room. There are two courses to choose from: To find out more about starting dates please email me here .
Course one – five workshop sessions covering essential ceramic techniques such as coiling, slab building, press moulding and smoke firing. Each session is 2.5 hours long and new courses start every month either weekdays or weekends.
Course costs just £110 + materials (approx. £10)
Course two – three workshop sessions focusing on unique smoke firing techniques which I have developed over many years using sawdust and galvanised dustbins! A lot of fun and amazingly easy to learn. The sessions are between 1.5 and 2.5 hours long (6.5 hours in total), and the course cost just £60 + materials (approx. £5)
life casting
Published January 10, 2009
To create my torsos, I cast a model in plaster and then I make a mould from the cast. Each torso is press moulded using tiny pieces of clay which I incise with different patterns before joining them together.
The torso is then fired in an electric kiln before it is smoke fired.
To see more please go to my website www.annakeiller.co.uk.
My idea when I made this torso was to show the human body as a landscape, or at one with the land – Mother Earth personified.
Sign up for Anna Keiller's Newsletter