Clay Plaster Workshop Bulgaria - The Fundamentals

Due to popular demand we've organised a second clay plaster workshop in Bulgaria: Saturday 31st May -Sunday 1st June 2025.

In this two day deep dive into clay plasters and mud mixtures, I’ll be teaching (hands on) how to use the dirt in your land to create a beautiful, natural, non-toxic and environmentally sound plaster, and how to apply it to pretty almost any wall. We'll be practicing different application techniques; trowelling, sponging, and how to use a Japanese trowel. We'll also learn how to embed mosaic into clay plaster for a super hard-wearing result!

"The mud workshop was the best experience I've ever had! Atulya was not only a great wealth of knowledge, she was also a wonderful teacher being able to inform us accurately of processes involved with so much fun & laughter!" Vicki, course participant in Australia.

This will be a weekend exploration of clay plasters, and will be useful for...

• People wanting strategies for sensitively renovating old houses using natural materials.
• People who'd like to learn how to make an exceptional building material/render from the mud in their land.
  
• Creatives and artists wanting to learn the amazing art of clay plaster.
• Folk who'd like to learn how to decorate their home in a non-toxic, eco-friendly and very inexpensive way.
• Anyone interested in natural construction.
• People wanting to connect with like minds and have some fun.

What other workshop participants have said:

“The teacher (Atulya) was amazing and so positive and full of knowledge, she made the workshop run so smoothly.” Annie.

“The atmosphere was great and I couldn't ask for a better group of participants, or a more energetic environment. Loved every minute of it. Can't wait to use my new skills!” Mik.

“Atulya is a brilliant teacher...I returned home with a sparkle in my spirit and a deep appreciation that I was in a position to attend.” Alana

What will you learn in this workshop?

• Where to find clay on your land, and how to turn it into a usable material.
• How to use your soil in a clay plaster, no matter what type it is.
• How to test various clay plaster mixtures for strength and adhesion.
• The function of each ingredient in a clay plaster mixture, and how to tweak it for your own land/project.
• How to apply the various layers when rendering, and what not to do.
• How to get clay mixtures to stick to different surfaces and materials.
• How to use all a traditional trowel.
• How to use a Japanese finishing trowel.
• How to use sponges to create great finishes.
• How to repair and maintain clay plasters.
• The wonderful art of mosaic in clay plaster.
• When to use clay based plasters, and when to use lime.
• An introduction on using clay plaster for restoration purposes.

PRICES
The price for the workshop includes your camp spot for the duration of the workshop, but DOESN'T INCLUDE FOOD.

• First Off The Blocks (First 2 tickets): £140
• Early Birds: £160
  
• Standard Ticket: £180
  

Food Price (Full Board) for the duration of the workshop: £50

Important! The food price will be paid separately to Helen (the course host). There is some flexibility for self catering, but spaces may be limited for that option, so please connect with Helen as soon as possible to finalize food arrangements.

Don't want to camp? There is standard accomodation in the nearest town of Harmanli. We will send you a couple of options if you don't want to camp.

Want to camp but can't bring a tent? We have one or two tents we may be able to lend, but numbers are limited so it will be first come, first serve.

EXTRA: Helen and Paul have kindly offered to let people stay an extra day either side to coincide with flights if need be at no further cost.

Travel Details
Closest airports: Plovdiv or Sofia. You can connect via bus or metro (Sofia) from the airports to the train stations. The trains are slow but cheap!

Other Information
This is a hands on course, so you will get dirty:) More specific details on what to bring will be sent to course participants once they enroll.

The Location: Our workshop will be near to Harmanli, in the south east of Bulgaria. We are hosted by Helen and Paul who have a small semi off-grid homestead with plenty going on in it! There are composting toilets, drinking water from the nearby spring, chickens, ducks, and quail, a small veggie garden and some fruit trees. I met Helen on my last workshop in Romania, and was so impressed by how incredibly 'can do' and practical she was. So when she said she'd like to host a workshop, I jumped at the chance.

The area: This isn't a touristy area, but rather agricultural with many vineyards, lots of open space and beautiful nature all around. There are a few small towns and cities close by.

Photo of nearby Plovdiv

PLEASE NOTE: Tickets are non-refundable.
It's difficult to organise workshops, especially in other countries. A lot of prep and financial outlay is involved. Once you've bought your ticket, you've committed to join the workshop.

CONTACT: 
Course questions to Atulya, EMAIL: atulyakbingham@themudhome.com
Accommodation and food queries to Helen, EMAIL: ferretkeeper@yahoo.com

Travel Details
Closest airports: Plovdiv or Sofia. You can connect via bus or metro (Sofia) from the airports to the train stations. The trains are slow but cheap!

Other Information
This is a hands on course, so you will get dirty:) More specific details on what to bring will be sent to course participants once they enroll.

If you have any questions, or need more information, just email Atulya at: atulyakbingham@themudhome.com

For accommodation and food queries, please contact Helen at: ferretkeeper@yahoo.com

WATCH WHAT YOU CAN MAKE WITH CLAY PLASTER HERE

PLEASE NOTE:
It's difficult to organise workshops, especially in other countries. A lot of prep is involved. For this reason, I'm very sorry but we can't refund tickets.