HIGHLIGHTS
Duration: 3 nights / 4 days
Dates:
First Retreat — 11 December to 14 December
Second Retreat — 18 December to 21 December
Limited seats: 6 participants per retreat
Venue: Samsara Farmstay, Naggar, Himachal Pradesh
THE EXPERIENCE
This Christmas, create meaningful, handmade gifts or original décor for your home. The retreat is hosted at Samsara Farmstay — a 60-year-old Himachali house set among apple orchards with panoramic mountain views. Expect quiet mornings, focused studio time, and warm evenings by the fire.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
• Preparing and wedging clay by hand
• Handbuilding techniques: pinch, coil and slab
• Finishing techniques and surface preparation
• Underglaze application and surface decoration
• Kiln loading and firing fundamentals (bisque and glaze firing)
• Glazing and final finishing of bisque-fired work
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1 — Arrival & Hand-building Workshop
12:00 PM — Check-in and welcome lunch
Arrive at Samsara Farmstay and settle into your room. Enjoy a seasonal, farm-to-table lunch and
an informal introduction to the studio.
1:00 PM — 6:00 PM — Handbuilding workshop (5 hours)
Begin with an orientation to clay and the tools. Learn pinch, coil and slab techniques and make a
selection of pieces to develop over the retreat. Tea and a short lunch break will be provided during
the session.
7:30 PM — Bonfire and dinner
An evening by the fire with a home-cooked meal and time to connect with the group.
Day 2 — Finishing, Underglazing & Bisque Firing
8:30 AM — Breakfast
10:00 AM — 2:00 PM — Finishing and underglazing workshop (4 hours)
Refine forms, smooth surfaces and prepare pieces for underglaze. Practice brushwork and color
placement. Each piece will receive a quality check before firing.
4:00 PM — Kiln loading and firing demonstration
INCLUSIONS
• Three nights (3) accommodation at Samsara Farmstay
• All vegetarian meals and non-alcoholic refreshments during the retreat
• Clay, tools, and all materials required for the workshops
• Bisque and glaze firings
• Guided instruction by Matmaila Pottery Studio staff
• Evening bonfires and guided nature walks
Staff will demonstrate safe kiln loading; participants will observe and learn the basics of bisque
firing.
Overnight — Bisque firing
7:30 PM — Bonfire and dinner
Day 3 — Glazing & Final Firing
7:30 AM — Kiln unloading and breakfast
10:00 AM — 1:00 PM — Glazing workshop (3 hours)
Unload the bisque pieces, prepare glazes and apply finish glazes under guided supervision.
4:00 PM — Kiln loading for final glaze firing
Overnight — Glaze firing
7:30 PM — Bonfire and dinner
Day 4 — Final Unloading, Packing and Departure
8:30 AM — Breakfast and kiln unloading
10:30 AM — Packing session
Staff will assist in wrapping and packing finished pieces for safe transit.
11:00 AM — Farewell and departures
A final moment to say goodbye. Depart with your finished work and a small collection of memories
from the studio and mountains.
NOT INCLUDED
• Transportation to and from Samsara Farmstay
• Any additional food or beverages outside the provided menu
• Local sightseeing, guides or transport for external excursions
• Purchase of other artworks or studio pieces
• Personal expenses and travel insurance
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Limited seats — 6 participants per retreat.
Retreat fee: INR 13,449/- per person
TO REGISTER
To register or to request further information, please contact us:
WhatsApp: 9953713757
Instagram: @samsarafarmstay | @matmailapottery
We look forward to welcoming you to Samsara Farmstay for a thoughtful and hands-on festive retreat.