Quiet moments bring us home to ourselves. By tuning out the noise around us, we make space for silence and clarity. When outer influences fade, instinct and the unconscious can speak—and that’s where original ideas are born. Pottery, with its grounding rhythm and hands in clay, is one of the most beautiful ways to learn presence.

Overview

Duration: Weekend retreat (Saturday & Sunday)

Group Size: Maximum 6 participants

Experience Required: None – beginners warmly welcome

Languages: English, Finnish (Suomi), Swedish (Svenska)

Schedule

Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sunday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Retreat Highlights

Begin and end each day with a 30-minute, easily approachable silent tea meditation

Learn pottery techniques from Eva Spoof, professional artisan ceramist and long-time meditation practitioner

Saturday: Centering on the pottery wheel

Sunday: Trimming, surface decoration (stamping & engraving), and finishing touches

Create your own unglazed planter pots, the signature product of UDUMBARA

Work with Kultela wild clay — a truly local, transparent, and sustainable Finnish material, minimally processed and sourced directly from a field in Somero

Practice in a solar-powered studio, guided by values of ecological responsibility and slow design

What’s Included

Up to 20 kg of Kultela clay for practicing

Personal guidance and support throughout the retreat

Firing of up to 4 planters (max. 8 kg raw clay total)

Tea service during meditation sessions

A 1-hour lunch break each day — we’ll enjoy lunch together at one of the excellent nearby restaurants in Kallio (lunch not included in the retreat price)

Important Notes

This retreat is designed for those sincerely interested in both mindfulness and craft. Please arrive with an open mind and heart—ready to slow down, listen, and create.

UDUMBARA is a small artist-owned studio, and each spot is valuable. Your commitment upon booking is appreciated.

Before booking, please review our General Class Information. By purchasing a spot, you agree to the terms and cancellation policy below.

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel:

More than 14 days in advance → Refund minus €30 admin/bank fee

5–14 days in advance → Voucher for a future workshop (valid for 6 months), minus €25 admin fee

Less than 5 days → Non-refundable (50% refund with valid medical certificate)

If we cancel:

Full refund or rescheduling, unless due to national emergencies

Payment Options

We accept employee benefit cards: Edenred, Epassi, Smartum Visit our blog for instructions: udumbara.fi → Blog → Employee Benefits Vouchers

Good to Know

Wear clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting dirty — Kultela clay can stain

Long or artificial nails may hinder working on the wheel

Pottery is a process that requires patience; beginners may find it challenging, but deeply rewarding

Finished pieces are usually ready in 4–6 weeks; you'll be notified via Google Calendar

Unclaimed pottery after 4 months will be donated, repurposed, or sold in support of the Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation

Shipping is available at an additional cost

Detailed Daily Schedule Saturday

10:00 – Silent Tea Meditation 10:45 – Pottery Session 12:30 – Lunch (1 hour, out of the studio) 13:30 – Pottery Continues 16:00 – Cleanup & Group Reflection 16:30 – Silent Tea Meditation 17:00 – End

Sunday

10:00 – Silent Tea Meditation 10:45 – Trimming and Finishing 12:30 – Lunch (45 min, out of the studio) 13:15 – Decoration (stamping and engraving) 14:15 – Cleanup 14:30 – Closing Meditation 15:00 – End

Thank you

for your interest in the Mindful Pottery Retreat. We look forward to welcoming you into the studio for a weekend of creativity, silence, and connection to the Finnish earth.

Questions? Contact Eva

eva.spoof@gmail.com

Instagram: @udumbara_helsinki

YouTube: @UDUMBARA_Helsinki

Warm regards, Eva | UDUMBARA Pottery Studio