Ceramics: Design and Create Self-Watering Pieces
A course by ClarinaCeramist
A course by Clarina, Ceramist
Discover the properties of low-fire ceramics and learn how to design objects that add value to everyday life
If you love plants and creating objects with your hands, low-fire ceramics is the perfect way to combine both of your passions. In her workshop, Clara Gutiérrez, better known as Clarina, is constantly exploring the versatility and creative possibilities of this material, which led her to the idea of developing a cheap, sustainable, and stylish watering system.
In this course, discover how to design and create self-watering, low-fire ceramic pieces using the pinch and slab techniques. Start off learning about the properties of this material, then begin to shape your style and bring your ideas to life to help your plants flourish all year round.
What will you learn in this online course?
20 lessons & 37 downloads
The importance of creative vocabulary
6 minutes, 14 seconds
What is low temperature ceramics?
5 minutes, 27 seconds
Uses of low temperature ceramics
5 minutes, 10 seconds
Self-irrigation and capillarity irrigation pieces
3 minutes, 50 seconds
Materials
4 minutes, 9 seconds
References and pot design
4 minutes, 1 second
What's included in this course?
To get the course rolling, Clara Gutiérrez, better known as Clarina, tells you about herself, how she discovered ceramics, and her journey to opening her own studio. She also shares her biggest influences and how she built her ceramic universe around a creative vocabulary that promotes concentration and sparks imagination.
Discover the difference between high-fire and low-fire ceramics, what each type is used for, and why porosity can in fact be advantageous when making certain objects. Then, learn about the science behind watering with capillary action and go over the materials you need for your project.
Take an in-depth look at self-watering ollas and examine the design features that make them so efficient. Now it's time to shape your own using the pinch technique. Top off your piece by making a lid.
Next, Clarina teaches you how to craft a self-watering pot using the slab technique and demonstrates how to customize it. Roll out your slab and cut sections to make the plate, the pot, the water reservoir, and the lid.
Once they're ready, focus on giving them a unique finish before getting some tips on firing, glazing, and safely transporting your pieces. Clarina wraps up the course by sharing her tricks on how to optimize your self-watering system so you can go on vacation knowing your plants are in good hands!
What is this course's project?
Create a self-watering olla and self-watering pot, complete with a water reservoir, drainage plate, and lid.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone interested in and excited about exploring the creative possibilities of low-fire ceramics.
Requirements and materials
No prior knowledge is necessary, but if you do have some experience with ceramics, this course will help you further develop your skills in both design and low-fire ceramics.
The materials for the course include clay, slip, glaze, modeling tools, and access to a kiln (your teacher helps you find places that offer this service).
Reviews
- christimsaenzPLUS1 month ago
Excellent class and well explained process. I am sorry to see the instructor has passed away. Her work and her teaches live on. anyone who takes this class is lucky to have had an instructor as amazing as Clarina
- lauramatellanPLUS8 months ago
me gusta mucho! las voy a hacer!
- 10 months ago
Un curso maravilloso. Súper bien explicado, muchísima claridad. El proyecto fue hermoso!
- 1 year ago
Thoroughly explained, was fun to watch and do.
- 1 year ago
Excellent concepts, well documented with great details.
Her goal is to create pieces with a modern and minimalist design that brighten up everyday life. Her collections include crockery, decorative pieces, and even fashion jewelry. Her designs can be found in stores across Spain and France, in addition to her own brick-and-mortar and online store.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- The importance of creative vocabulary
- U2
Low temperature ceramic
- What is low temperature ceramics?
- Uses of low temperature ceramics
- Self-irrigation and capillarity irrigation pieces
- Materials
- U3
Self watering pot
- References and pot design
- Pot making
- The lid of the pot
- U4
The self watering pot
- Pot design
- Plate preparation and cutting
- The pot saucer
- The pot body
- The water reserve
- The lid of the pot
- U5
Last details
- Finishes and decoration
- Tips for cooking and transportation
- Enamel of the piece
- Tips to optimize self-watering
- FP
Final project
- Ceramics: Design and Create Self-Watering Pieces
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Low-fire ceramics are fired below 1100°C, making them more porous and allowing for bright colors. Stoneware and earthenware differ in firing temperature and durability: stoneware is harder and vitrified, while earthenware is less durable and more porous.
The course is aimed at people with basic prior knowledge of ceramics, but key techniques are explained, making it accessible to anyone interested and motivated to learn.
You'll need porous clay (terracotta or earthenware), basic tools like sticks, a rolling pin, a metal kidney tool, nylon thread, slips, glazes, and access to a kiln for firing.
You'll learn to model both functional and decorative pieces, glazing techniques, designing self-watering systems, using slips, preventing cracks, and how to use porosity for practical applications.
To prevent cracks, controlled drying under plastic is essential, thinning the walls of the piece, and avoiding sudden temperature changes during firing.
You’ll be able to create botijos, flowerpots, self-watering planters, bottle coolers, non-electric climate control devices, and essential oil burners, among other items.
Capillary watering works thanks to the clay’s porosity, which allows water to gradually move from the reservoir to the soil and plant roots.