Surface Art: Sgraffito Decoration
Guided Ceramics Workshop: Handbuilding
Date and time
Friday, 18. December 2026, 18.30
Further dates
Overview
Beginner
No previous knowledge required for this event.
EN
Our Instructor speaks fluent English.
Studio Basel
2.5 Hours
Includes an intro, clay time, clean-up & mingling
Workshop
A guided, one-off creative experience where you'll create and take home your own finished artwork.
Description
Scratch beneath the surface — and reveal something beautiful.
Sgraffito — from the Italian “to scratch” — is a decorative ceramics technique that’s all about revealing contrast, pattern, and surprise. In this inspiring 3-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to turn a simple slab of clay into a stunning ceramic plate using this ancient and captivating method.
We’ll start by rolling and shaping your plate by hand, then applying a layer of coloured slip (liquid clay). Once that’s set, the real magic begins — you’ll carve into the surface to create your own design, revealing the clay underneath in bold lines, fine textures, or whatever shapes your imagination leads you to. No drawing skills needed — just a sense of curiosity and a love of detail.
You’ll be guided every step of the way in a relaxed and welcoming studio atmosphere. From the first press of clay to the final scratch of your carving tool, you’ll explore the sgraffito process with hands-on support, plenty of encouragement, and a glass of something refreshing in hand — your choice of wine, tea, prosecco, or something non-alcoholic to sip as you shape.
After the session, we’ll take care of glazing and firing your piece. Your finished sgraffito plate will be ready for pickup in about 4 weeks. One plate is included in the price — if you’re inspired to make more, you can simply pay for extra materials on the spot.
This workshop is perfect for anyone looking to slow down, scratch beneath the surface, and uncover something beautifully their own.
FAQ
We recommend arriving 10–15 minutes before your workshop begins. This gives you enough time to enjoy your complimentary welcome drink, settle in and get ready for your creative experience.
Our workshops start on time, so please make sure you’re ready to begin. If you do arrive late, simply take your seat quietly and your ceramic artist will help you catch up as soon as there’s a suitable moment.
Your artist will introduce the project and demonstrate the handbuilding techniques you’ll be using step by step. Depending on the workshop, this might include techniques such as pinching, coiling, slab building, joining, carving or adding texture.
From there, it’s your turn to create. You’ll have plenty of freedom to personalise your piece, experiment with form and details, and take the project in your own direction, while your artist is there whenever you need guidance.
At the end of the workshop, we’ll take care of your creation and prepare it for the next stages of the ceramics process.
Your ticket includes everything you need for your ceramics experience:
🏺 Clay and all necessary materials
🛠️ Full use of our ceramics tools and equipment
👩🎨 Step-by-step guidance from one of our ceramic artists
🔥 Firing of your included ceramic piece
✨ A relaxed and welcoming studio atmosphere
🥂 A complimentary welcome drink
Ceramics need a little patience—the creative process doesn’t end when the workshop does.
Your piece first needs to dry completely before it can be fired in our kiln. Depending on the workshop and finishing process, it will then be glazed and fired again before it’s ready for you.
The entire process usually takes around 2-4 weeks. We’ll let you know as soon as your piece is ready for collection.
You have two options.
You can come back and glaze your piece yourself for an additional fee — either during another Glazing Workshop, Open Atelier or Studio Class. This gives you the freedom to choose your own colours and create a completely personal finish.
Or, if you prefer, we can finish it for you at no extra cost. Simply choose from one of our classic glaze options, such as white, off-white or transparent, and our ceramics team will take care of the glazing and firing.
Ceramics can’t be taken home immediately after the workshop because your creation still needs to dry, be fired and, depending on the workshop, glazed.
The entire process usually takes around 2-4 weeks.
We’ll let you know once your piece is finished and ready for collection. Please wait for this confirmation before coming to pick it up.
Not at all.
Our Handbuilding Workshops are designed so that complete beginners can join and create something they’re proud of.
Your ceramic artist will introduce the techniques step by step and support you throughout the process. If you already have some experience with clay, you’ll simply have more freedom to experiment and develop the project in your own direction.
Working with clay can get a little messy, but that’s part of the fun.
Clay generally washes out easily, and we’ll provide an apron for you. Nevertheless, we recommend wearing comfortable clothes that don’t mind getting a little dirty.
Shorter nails also make working with clay easier, but they’re certainly not a requirement for Handbuilding.
The number and size of pieces included depends on the workshop.
Each workshop is designed around a particular project and amount of clay, so your ticket includes the piece or pieces described on the workshop page.
If time and materials allow, additional pieces may sometimes be possible for an extra charge—just ask your ceramic artist during the workshop.
Our Handbuilding Workshops are kept intentionally small, with a maximum of 10 participants.
This gives everyone enough space to work comfortably and allows your ceramic artist to give you plenty of individual guidance throughout the workshop.
Every workshop ticket includes one complimentary welcome drink to help you settle in and get your creativity flowing.
Typical options include:
- ☕ Coffee, tea or matcha
- 🧋 Iced tea
- 🌿 Mate
- 🌸 Rhubarb Schorley
- 🍊 Orange lemonade
- 🫚 Ginger beer
- 🍺 Beer (18+)
- 🍷 Wine (18+)
- 🥂 Prosecco (18+)
The exact selection may vary slightly between locations, but we’ll always have something delicious waiting for you.
Of course!
If you’ve booked together, we’ll do our best to seat you together. If you’ve booked separately, simply let us know when you arrive and we’ll try our best to arrange seats next to each other.
Yes!
If your workshop takes place in one of our Creative Cafés, you’re welcome to order additional drinks, coffee, cocktails, and food from our à la carte menu throughout your visit.
If your workshop is hosted in one of our Art Studios, you can still enjoy another round of drinks from our Welcome Drink Menu. Additional drinks in our studios are donation-based, so you can simply contribute what you feel is appropriate.
Yes! We regularly host birthdays, team events, bachelor and bachelorette parties, family celebrations, and private workshops.
If you’re planning something special, we’d love to hear from you.
Tickets may be transferred to someone else at any time.
If your plans change, you can reschedule your booking up to 72 hours before the workshop.
Unfortunately, cancellations or changes are no longer possible within 36 hours of the event.
For full details, please see our Terms & Conditions.
Caught the clay bug? There’s plenty more to discover.
If you’d like to develop your Handbuilding skills further, check out our Ceramics Courses and Studio Classes, where you can build your technique and explore more ambitious projects with guidance from our ceramic artists.
Once you’re comfortable working more independently, our Open Atelier gives you the space, tools and equipment to work on your own ceramic projects and practise at your own pace.
And if ceramics becomes a regular part of your life, our Ceramics Membership is designed for exactly that—giving frequent makers an even easier way to make PIE their creative home.
What are PIE workshops?
A guided, one-off creative experience to learn something new and have fun.
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