Book a private lesson

Clay Projects are available for beginner to advanced students and lessons are geared towards your ability. 

Private lessons are for ages 8-108.

When registering, please choose between a wheel throwing class or a hand building class.

Wheel throwing uses the potter’s wheel to shape clay. It’s a really fun, and somewhat messy experience. Participants will learn to center clay, pull walls and form pieces. Each person will keep 1 piece that we will fire and glaze.

Handbuilding is as simple as using your hands to form shapes and objects out of clay.  The following project ideas use 4 of the most common methods of hand building: pinching, coiling, slab building, and extruding.

Handbuilding Project Ideas:  

Each project will have a thorough demonstration and step by step guidance. 

Wall Pockets/ Wall Vases- 

Students will learn slab building techniques to create a hanging wall vase.  We will explore a variety of sizes and shapes, texture and color to create a one of a kind piece.  We’lll use the Slab Roller, a variety of texture tools, and discuss color options. These vases or wall pockets can be functional or decorative holding flowers, feathers, and treasures. 

Pinch Pots & Coiling Pots - 

Pinch Pots and Coil pottery are some of the earliest techniques for making pots from clay. Many ancient civilizations and cultures around the world have used these techniques.  Learn the basics of Handbuilding with just your hands!   Learn to pinch and coil to shape and create small cups, bowls, vases, or pots of your imagination.  Discuss editing and adding or smoothing out texture.   

Slab Built Cups, Mugs, Flower Pots, and More-

Have you always wanted to make your own mug or create a fun flower pot for your special flowers/ plants?  Using the Slab Roller and Templates, we will create functional objects from the Cylinder Shape.  Learn all the basics of slab design including options for texture and color.  

Extruder Designs- Votives, Vases, Houses, and More-

The Extruder is a machine used to  squeeze clay through and create a variety of hollow shapes.  From these shapes, we will look at table top and hanging options.  Extruded pieces can be open or closed, are  easy to manipulate into functional and sculptural works.  Some ideas include votives, vases, houses, and treasure boxes exploring as far as your imagination can go.  

Jewelry/ Ornaments-  

We’ll look at design options for 2D and 3D jewelry or ornaments. Some options include earrings, pendants, beads, or ornaments for special holidays/ occasions.  Using high fire wire for both, all jewelry and ornaments will be durable for hanging.   We’ll have slabs of clay for cutting and experimenting with texture as well as small balls of clay to mold into fun shapes and designs.  Make holiday ornaments or get the friends together to create your own jewelry designs.  

Charcuterie Board, Cheese Board, Candy & Soap Dishes-

Use the Slab Roller and GR Forms to create dishes.  Discuss design options with texture and color.  Create 1 big Charcuterie Board with a couple of small bowls or several smaller dishes.  Learn how to check drying, smooth out edges, and detail your dish. Great for hosting, these dishes are great to show off to friends!  Small dishes are options for using in your bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen for holding soaps, jewelry, salt/ herbs, and more.  

After the class, the studio will glaze and fire everything for you.  This can take around 3 weeks for pieces to dry, get bisque fired, glazed, and glaze fired.  You may pick up work when finished or we can ship work to you for an additional cost.