Clay Plaster Workshop - The Fundamentals
Sat 31 May 2025 8:30 AM - Sun 1 Jun 2025 7:00 PM
Helen and Paul's Place, Harmanli
Description
"The mud workshop at D'Annies farm 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.
So my first workshop in Bulgaria has sold out. Due to popular
demand we're organising a second shorter workshop: Saturday 31st May -Sunday
1st June 2025 (2 days over a weekend).
Don't hang around if you want to join!
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 from the mud in their land.
- Creatives and artists wanting to learn the amazing art of clay plaster.
- People wanting to connect with like minds and have some fun.
- Anyone interested in natural construction.
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, and how to turn it into a usable material.
- How to test various clay mixtures for strength and adhesion.
- The function of each ingredient in a mud mixture, and how to tweak it for your own land and project.
- How to apply the various layers when rendering, and what not to do.
- How to get clay mixtures to stick to different substrates.
- How to use a Japanese trowel (and other trowels too).
- How to use sponges to create great finishes.
- How to repair and maintain clay plasters.
- 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
Location
Helen and Paul's Place, Harmanli