A Beginner’s Guide to Handbuilt Pottery

Class Description

Beginner Handbuilding: A Beginners Guide to Handbuilt Pottery Want to make beautiful pottery—no wheel required? This 8-week beginner handbuilding class is a welcoming entry into working with clay using pinch, coil, slab, and extruded forms. Designed for people who are curious about pottery and enjoy learning by doing, this class offers clear guidance, hands-on instruction, and plenty of room to grow skills with confidence. No experience is needed— just a willingness to step into the world of clay and see what unfolds. Many students discover it’s surprisingly addictive in the best possible way. What This Class Is About This class is thoughtfully structured to introduce core handbuilding techniques while gradually building comfort, skill, and understanding. Each week focuses on a specific method or form, so students always know what they’re working toward, while still having room to explore surface, proportion, and personal expression. Along the way, we’ll focus on creating functional forms and exploring vertical forms, developing an understanding of how clay behaves at different scales and orientations. Demonstrations, timing guidance, and one-on-one support are woven throughout so students feel supported from start to finish. What You’ll Learn & Make Over eight weeks, students will learn foundational handbuilding techniques and apply them to functional, finished work. The best foundational techniques- each class builds on itself. • Week 1: Pinch pots and connecting them together • Week 2: Coil building, focusing on form and attachment • Week 3: Slab building using the slab roller; constructing a box form • Week 4: Using the extruder to create functional forms for the wall or table • Week 5: Functional forms with the slab roller not just a box • Week 6: Taller vases using slab templates, exploring vertical forms • Week 7: Glazing for success, with an emphasis on creating a glazing plan • Week 8: Reflective evaluation and group discussion, looking closely at finished work and how skills have developed Who This Class Is For This class is ideal for beginner or intermediate potters who enjoy working with their hands, appreciate clear structure, and want to build a strong foundation in handbuilding while still having space to explore creatively.This is more than just a pottery class—it’s a guided creative journey. You’ll leave with finished work you’re proud of, a deeper understanding of clay, and skills you can carry into future projects.