one-day course

clay rendering

venue: Hulme Community Garden Centre, Manchester

This course is run by Amazonails

Clay is a natural plaster that can create many different finishes, textures and colours. A widely-available material that is easy to use and is non-toxic, usually used as an internal plaster - it creates a breathable atmosphere inside a house, studio or barn. On this course you will learn how to source, mix and apply clay render and to leave different final finishes. It will be a hands-on, practical workshop where participants are involved in rendering a mobile demonstration structure. Come and find out about this wonderful material and how to use it.

Points covered include:

  • why use clay plaster?
  • where to source clay from
  • hands-on experience of clay plaster onto straw
  • tools you need and how to use them
  • creating a friendly building site

This course and lime rendering are run on consecutive days, so that you can do them individually, or have a go at both in the same weekend.

more on clay/earth plasters & renders


how to book:
  

if you can't open the booking form, you need Acrobat Reader - it's free
arrive:
  
for a 10am prompt start
depart:
  
after the course finishes at 5pm
directions:
  
click here for a map and directions to Hulme Community Garden Centre
what to bring:
  
work clothes; pen and notebook
let us know:
  
if you have any special needs
price:
  
£60
Refundable up to two weeks prior to course (minus £30 admin fee)
No refunds for cancellations within two weeks of course
lunch:
  
bring a packed lunch or you can get lunch at the wacky and wonderful 'Kim by the Sea' cafe over the road
car sharing:
  
visit our car sharing forum to offer or request a lift
 

 

 

 


applying a first coat by hand - which can be great fun

 






applying a second coat with a float; you can try and get it as straight as you like, but clay plasters have an organic, cottagey feel which means you don't have to worry if it's not too uniform

 

 

 


final coat on the interior of a self-built straw-bale home in Wales - it can be moulded around windows, shelves, alcoves and electrical fittings