GOALS OF THE CERAMICS COURSE AT ART STUDIO LAURA RAINBOW
The Intangible Outcomes
A student recently told me how her husband loves seeing tangible results — and it made me reflect on the goals of our ceramics course.
The main goal?
A chance to step away from everyday life and routine, even if just for a moment.
To express creativity through play with a material that is new to us, yet ancient.
Working with ceramics is also an opportunity for light, informal socialising among adults.
And so I kept counting.
The Tangible Results – Handmade Ceramics
At the very bottom of the list is the finished ceramic object — the physical result of our creatively spent time.
Because we all know — you can buy ceramics anywhere, from Hreljić to Harrods.
Everything else listed above? That’s not so easily found. It requires time.
And these days, time might just be the most luxurious gift we can give ourselves.
To allow ourselves time for a creative hobby is a gift we give to ourselves.
The ceramic pieces we create are just a beautiful bonus — we can gift them, keep them, use them daily, or place them somewhere special.
They remind us of the precious, creative, grounding time we spent socialising and enjoying the simple joy of playing with clay.
Ceramics as a Reminder
But they remind us of something even more important — that self-care isn’t selfish, it’s essential.
Participating in creative hobbies like ceramics reduces stress, builds emotional resilience, and develops problem-solving skills for everyday life.
When we allow our hands and minds to create freely, without pressure or expectations, we open a space where imagination can grow.
We strengthen the part of ourselves that is patient, flexible, and open to new ideas — qualities that help us both personally and professionally.
Creativity as a Teacher
Creativity is like a muscle — it grows the more we use it.
Through ceramics, we practice thinking differently, trying new approaches, and embracing imperfection.
This ability doesn’t stay behind in the studio — it follows us into every part of life.
Through clay, we learn that challenges are not blocks in the road, but invitations to find a new way.
Working with clay also teaches emotional balance.
Sometimes the clay doesn’t cooperate. Sometimes a piece collapses or cracks.
But we learn to breathe through the frustration, to accept imperfection, and to find beauty in the unexpected.
This quiet resilience, built through our hands, helps us handle life’s bigger challenges too.
There’s something deeply healing in the simplicity of making.
Working with our hands grounds us, brings us back to the present moment, and pulls us away from worries about tomorrow or regrets about yesterday.
As we feel the texture of clay and follow its rhythm, we dive into an experience that fills us with life.
A Gift to Yourself
And then there’s the gift of connection.
In our ceramics courses, we don’t just shape bowls and vases — we shape friendships.
Shared joy, exchanging stories, mutual support, and the simple happiness of creating together weave a feeling of belonging.
They remind us we’re not alone — not in creativity, not in life — and they give us a quiet sense of community and joy.
Research shows that hobbies like ceramics also develop qualities that make good leaders — patience, persistence, compassion.
In moments when we’re learning something new, facing challenges, and still being kind to ourselves, we’re strengthening skills we carry into our families, our work, and our communities.
You Deserve It Too!
In today’s fast-paced world, making time for creativity is an act of quiet bravery.
It’s a way of saying to ourselves: I deserve this.
I deserve to create.
I deserve to rest.
I deserve to be more than just productive — I deserve to feel whole.
Every little bowl, every handmade cup, every plate or vase we create with our own hands is not just an object — it’s a story and a reminder.
A moment when we gave ourselves permission to slow down, to explore, to play, to connect, and to honour the creative spark that naturally lives inside us all.
A moment to be a Bird of Happiness.
So gift yourself the time to reconnect with yourself — send a message and ask to have your name added to the waiting list for the next course for complete beginners.