Primitive Pottery
Bushcraft Survival Australia presents
A Bushcraft Survival Australia hosted event
Bushcraft Survival Australia is excited to announce that we will be hosting Melissa Beit to run “Primitive Pottery”, a 2 day workshop on harvesting, processing and creating primitive pottery
About Primitive Pottery
Pottery has been an intrinsic part of human history for thousands of years and has been a tool for people all over the world to cook in, store water, store goods and preserve harvest.
On this course you will learn how to harvest wild clay from the landscape, hand-build vessels without a wheel, temper the clay with natural materials, and fire them using primitive shallow pit or campfire methods.
Course Syllabus
In this 2 day hands-on workshop we will explore how to take a chunk of earth and turn it into a vessel that you can cook in or drink out of, and all the steps in between, including:
- How to recognise Clay with Potential in the wild
- Testing wild clays
- Respectfully and responsibly harvesting clay from the wild – who to ask, how much is too much, and when to practice restraint
- Ways of processing clay, wet and dry
- Removing components you don’t want (rocks, leaves etc)
- Adding components you do want (temper, grog)
- Making pots by pinching, coiling, slabbing, paddling
- Drying pots so they don’t crack or explode
- Traditional methods of firing pots
- Cooking in wild clay vessels
- The emergence of clay as a pan-human technology
Participants will be involved in all the stages of harvesting, making and firing and will probably get very dirty along the way!
Liss Beit
Liss Beit is a potter, writer and gardener who loves to get her hands in the earth whenever possible. In her day job she’s a trauma psychologist and pottery has grounded, soothed and sustained her for many years. Melissa started playing with clay when her head was barely as high as the pottery wheel, but her love of pottery was re-ignited (almost literally) by a passion for pit firing handmade vessels while living in the Central desert region of Australia 25 years ago. The discovery that the earth under our feet can sometimes be coaxed into beautiful and functional vessels was a more recent source of wonder.
Always learning, always experimenting, Melissa knows how to spot that elusive substance, the perfect wild clay, and more importantly, what to do with it once you’ve got it. Melissa has also worked as an outdoor educator and nature connection facilitator and run a small bush school for family and friends. She is lucky to live, play and work on beautiful Gumbaynggirr Country in the Mid North Coast of New South Wales.
There are no pre-requisites for this course
Accommodation
This course is run entirely outdoors from an expedition style base camp, and you will be sleeping in your own camping equipment that you will bring. You are welcome to bring a small tent or tarp to sleep in overnight, however students who have previously completed our Fundamental Module 1 are encouraged to sleep under a hootchie or tarp (we can loan them) so as to re-acquaint you with your Mod 1 skills.
Amenities
This course is run entirely outdoors from an expedition style base camp. A screened trench latrine in a secluded private spot, along with strict camp hygiene measures will give a natural wilderness expedition feel to your experience as well as teaching you essential outdoor toilet etiquette and how to leave no trace. You will be taught how to wash with limited water and stay clean in the bush. Our measures are low-impact and environmentally friendly.
Food
All food will be provided on the course. Tea, coffee, biscuits and fresh water, as well as a fruit bowl will also be provided at the base camp.
Whilst we try to cater for most dietary needs (vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, lactose intolerant etc.), we cannot cater for lifestyle choices or fussy eaters due to the remote nature of our courses. You can supplement the provided food with your own snacks/food, but unless you are allergic/intolerant, you will be expected to eat the food supplied.
Refer to the BSA Kit List page for a list of standard items to bring to a BSA course.
You are welcome to bring a small tent or tarp to sleep in overnight, however students who have previously completed our Fundamental Module 1 are encouraged to sleep under a hootchie or tarp (we can loan them) so as to re-acquaint you with your Mod 1 skills.
It is advisable to bring and wear clothing you are happy to get dirty – clay has a habit of going everywhere! Alternatively, you can bring your own apron to wear.
This course is run from an expedition style camp, entirely outdoors. You will need a reasonable level of health and fitness to maximise your participation and enjoyment of the course.
View frequently asked questions on our dedicated FAQ page.
If your question is not answered on the FAQ page, please contact us.
Maximum participants: 12
Age: 18 years and over
Price: $690
Location: Nambucca Heads, NSW
Start time: 9am on Day 1
Finish time: 4pm on Day 2
BSA PRESENTS: PRIMITIVE POTTERY
| Date | Course | Venue Subject to change | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29/11/26 - 30/11/26 | 2 Day Primitive Pottery | SubTropical (Coffs Coast), NSW | Book Now |
Cancellation policy
- Cancellations made within 6 weeks of a course start date will be refunded less 20%
- Cancellations made within 4 weeks of a course start date will be refunded less 50%
- Cancellations made within 2 weeks of a course start date - no refund
