Get Involved And Have A Go
Step into a world of creativity at MUDFest, where you’re invited to discover the joy of working with clay and explore a weekend packed with inspiring activities. From hands-on workshops to live demonstrations, our programme is designed to spark your imagination and connect you with a vibrant community of makers. Let your creativity flourish and make lasting memories with us!
Press Moulding & Slip Casting
Join Kevin Andrew Morris for this making session introducing participants to the essentials of press moulding and slip casting. During this making session participants will receive an introduction to using various plaster moulds, making slip, slip casting and press moulding techniques.
Pinch Pot Cauldron
Jeni will be taking you through the making of a pinch pot cauldron with a moon surface. You will start creating the moon surface with the different indented ball sizes and the pin tool is used to emphasise the crater. For a small fee Jeni can glaze, fire and post your piece back to you. Places are limited to 10 people, first come basis, no need to book.
Clay Monoprint Mayhem
(a.k.a. Slip-Transfer Magic)
Ready to turn a sketch into a bold, colourful print that actually lives on clay? Come make a one‑of‑a‑kind monoprinted tile or plate using underglaze + slips + a ridiculously satisfying peel‑reveal moment, with Caroline.
What’s going down. You’ll draw or trace your design onto newsprint, then trace it again with underglaze for those crisp lines. Next: colour madness—fill your drawing with coloured slips. When your slip hits that perfect “pudding-like” consistency, you’ll blanket it with a background slip, let it dry to a matte finish, then flip it slip-side down onto your clay tile/plate.
Then the best bit: you’ll rub + burnish with a rubber rib (centre out!) and slowly peel the paper back to reveal your design transferring onto the clay. Missed a spot? No drama—pop the paper back down and rub again.
Your piece will be dried, clear-glazed, and fired, then returned to you ready to show off. All materials provided. No experience needed. Big energy encouraged.
Have A Go At Handbuilding
Inspire Youth Zone Clay Club, supported by Firedup4 and Kate Malone, is excited to be returning to Mudfest for the second time after a fantastic year sharing the power of putting clay into small hands. This year, visitors can join us for a relaxed handbuilding workshop using air-dry clay, where you’ll be able to create and take home your own piece. We’ll also have a small stall showcasing a selection of unique items made by our young people throughout the year, celebrating their creativity, confidence, and growing skills in clay.
Sculpture Demo With Sara
Join Sara throughout the weekend at her stand as she creates one of her amazing sculptures, which will draw plenty of interest for our visitors.
Sculpture Demo With Roisin
Join Roisin as she demonstrates her coiling technique to create her stunning pieces. What animal do you think she will make, come and see!
Make Your Own Seal
Join Helen and get ready to roll up your sleeves and bring an adorable grey seal to life!
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll dive into the wonderful world of clay and create your very own charming seal from scratch. Discover how to shape and sculpt clay, master essential techniques such as slip and score to attach fins and features, and use simple tools to add personality-packed details.
Once your seal is complete, you can take it home to dry or choose to have it glazed and posted back to you — a perfect keepsake or gift. Come and make something truly special! The workshop is free but if you choose to have your seal glazed we are asking for a £5 fee to cover postage.
Wheel Throwing with Martine
Martine will be demonstrating her skills on the wheel at intervals throughout the weekend, at her stand, with opportunities for you to have a go yourself.
Using Tools On The Wheel
Movers and Shapers Pottery Tools will be demonstrating their tools throughout the weekend at their stand.
Create Your Own Worry Stone
Join ceramic artist Sara Hood to make your own ceramic grounding/worry stone. Experiment with texture, symbols and glaze finish to create a comforting ceramic object you can keep with you and use to ground yourself in trying times.
A small fee is chargeable for firing and postage.