One-to-One Mentoring
In-Studio & Online
Who this is for
These 1:1 mentoring sessions are for ceramicists who want focused, individual support with their technique, design or creative direction. You might be feeling inconsistent, stuck on a particular form or technique, unsure how to refine your work, or simply ready to progress beyond where you are now. Because every session is shaped around you, the mentoring can meet you wherever you are in your practice and focus directly on the areas that will make the biggest difference to your work.
How a session works
Every mentoring session begins with you. Before we meet, you’ll have the opportunity to tell me what you’d like to work on, share images or examples of your current work, and explain any particular challenges, questions or goals you have.
From there, the session is shaped around what will be most useful to you. We might work practically on the wheel, diagnose recurring technical problems, refine a particular form, look closely at proportion and design, or step back and explore the wider direction of your work. I’ll demonstrate where useful, observe how you work, and give detailed feedback throughout so you can understand not only what to change, but why.
The aim is for you to leave with more than a productive session. You’ll come away with clearer next steps, a better understanding of your own process, and clear roadmap of how to continue.
In-person or Online
Both options are built around the same idea: focused, individual guidance shaped entirely around you and your work. The difference is simply how we work together.
In-person mentoring
This gives us the opportunity to work more intensively together in the studio. I can see your process from every angle, demonstrate techniques directly beside you, make physical adjustments where helpful, and spend a full session exploring your work in greater depth. It is particularly valuable for more technical areas such as throwing larger forms, sectional throwing, shaping and refinement.
Online mentoring
This is ideal if you want targeted support without travelling. You can work from your own studio while I watch how you throw, trim or approach a particular problem, giving real-time feedback on technique, posture, hand position, form and decision-making. It also works especially well for portfolio reviews, design discussions and ongoing mentoring.
Whichever format you choose, the session is built around what will move your practice forward most effectively.
Practical Information
Online Mentoring
Online sessions take place over video call, allowing you to work from your own studio while receiving live, individual guidance.
You’ll need a comfortable space to work and a simple way of positioning your phone, tablet or camera so that I can clearly see both you and the work you’re doing. A phone and basic stand is usually more than enough.
Before the session, you can send me images, videos or notes about anything you would particularly like to work on. This means we can use our time together as effectively as possible and focus directly on the areas that matter most to you.
In-person mentoring
In-person sessions take place in my studio in Bavaria, Germany, where we can work together directly and in greater depth.
Depending on what you would like to focus on, the session may include throwing, trimming, shaping, design development, demonstrations, troubleshooting or reviewing your existing work.
The nearest airports are Nuremberg, Frankfurt and Munich. If you are travelling to the studio, we are happy to help with recommendations for accommodation, transport and organising your journey.
Pricing and booking
Because every 1:1 mentoring session is tailored around you, I like to understand what you want to work on before arranging the booking. This allows us to choose the right format and duration for your needs, rather than asking you to book a predefined session that may not be the best fit.
If you’re interested in mentoring, simply get in touch and tell me a little about your practice and what you’d like support with. From there, we can discuss the most suitable session, the time we’ll need, and I’ll provide you with the relevant pricing and booking details.
FAQs
What level do I need to be?
You do not need to be at a particular level. Mentoring can be useful whether you are relatively new to ceramics and want to build stronger foundations, or an experienced maker looking for help with more advanced techniques, refinement, design or artistic direction.
Because the session is completely individual, we work from wherever you are now.
What can we work on?
Almost anything relating to your ceramic practice. This might include throwing more consistently, posture and hand positions, specific forms, trimming and refinement, throwing larger pieces, sectional throwing, diagnosing recurring problems, proportion and design, developing a body of work, or exploring your artistic direction.
If you have something specific in mind, you can let me know before the session.
Can I book a session for one specific problem?
Absolutely. In fact, this is often where 1:1 mentoring can be particularly valuable. If there is a form, technique or recurring problem that you have struggled with for some time, we can dedicate the session to understanding exactly what is happening and finding a practical way forward.
Does online mentoring really work for throwing?
Yes. With your camera positioned correctly, I can watch your posture, hand positions, movements and the way the clay is responding in real time.
Often, very small adjustments can make a significant difference, and working in your own studio also means that everything we develop is immediately applicable to the equipment and setup you normally use.
What do I need for an online session?
You’ll need your normal ceramic workspace, the tools and clay required for whatever you would like to work on, and a phone, tablet or camera positioned so that I can clearly see you and the wheel or work area.
A simple phone stand is usually sufficient.
Can you review my portfolio or help with design rather than throwing?
Yes. Mentoring does not have to take place at the wheel.
We can look at your existing work, discuss proportion, form, collections, artistic direction and the ideas behind your pieces. I can help you identify what is working, what could be strengthened and where your work might develop next.
Can I send you work before the session?
Yes. You are welcome to send images, videos or notes beforehand. This can be particularly useful if there is a recurring technical problem or if we are doing a portfolio or design review.
It also allows me to arrive at the session with a clearer understanding of where you are and what you would like to achieve.
Can I book more than one session?
Yes. Some people book a single session to address a particular challenge, while others use mentoring over a longer period to support their continued development.
If you are working towards a particular goal or developing a new body of work, a series of sessions can give us the opportunity to review progress, make adjustments and continue building from one session to the next.
I’m travelling alone. Can you help me organise my visit?
Yes. Many students travel to the studio independently. We are happy to help with accommodation recommendations, local transport and working out the easiest route from the airport or train station.
Which is better for me - online or in person?
If you have a focused question, want feedback on your existing process, or would like ongoing support without travelling, online mentoring can work extremely well.
If you want a more intensive practical experience, particularly for complex techniques, larger work or spending an extended period developing something together, an in-person session may be more suitable.
If you are unsure, you can get in touch before booking and we can work out which format would be most useful for you.