Wheel thrown teapots

The Wheel-Thrown Teapots Online Workshop by Antoinette Badenhorst at TeachinArt is an in-depth, technically focused course designed to guide potters through one of the most challenging and expressive forms in ceramics—the functional teapot.
This immersive online workshop takes students step-by-step through the complete process of designing, throwing, assembling, and finishing a well-balanced, fully functional teapot. Often referred to as the “final boss” of pottery, the teapot demands both technical precision and artistic sensitivity, and this course is structured to help potters master both. 
Over three weeks of formal instruction (with additional time for review and practice), students explore the essential components that define a successful teapot: a body that pours efficiently, a spout that does not drip or spatter, a lid that fits securely during pouring, and a handle that complements both function and design. 
The workshop begins with the fundamentals—understanding teapot history, proportions, and design—before moving into throwing techniques such as forming cylinder-based and bellied teapots, working off the hump, and crafting precision-fitted lids. As the course progresses, students refine each element, learning how to trim, assemble, and integrate spouts, lids, and handles into a cohesive form. 
A strong emphasis is placed on functionality: pouring should be smooth and controlled, the lid should remain secure without requiring two hands, and every component must work together seamlessly. Beyond construction, the course also addresses decoration, glazing, and firing, ensuring that the final piece is both aesthetically compelling and fully usable. 
Designed for intermediate to advanced potters, this online class offers detailed, close-up demonstrations and direct access to instructor feedback, allowing students to develop confidence and precision in their work. More than just a technical course, it invites artists into the rich and “mysterious world of teapot collections,” where craftsmanship, expression, and function converge. 
In essence: this workshop transforms the complexity of the teapot into a structured, achievable process—equipping ceramic artists with the skills to create pieces that pour beautifully, function flawlessly, and communicate a refined artistic voice.