If you’ve been following me on social media or listening to the podcast, you probably know that I’ve been dipping my hands into the world of pottery—a journey that’s been a long time coming! My very first pottery class was way back in 2022, when a group of friends and I signed up for a "Bowl-in-One" class. We got to create and finish a single piece (the bowl you see pictured above!).
In that class, we learned the basics of throwing on the wheel. I’ll be honest, I was instantly hooked but I struggled a little because I had long nails at the time. Our wonderful instructor, stepped in and gave me some extra guidance, and by the end of the class, I had created a bowl that quickly became one of my most cherished possessions. I use it every night to hold my watch, and it reminds me of that first step into the world of pottery. I thought it was so cute that I crimped the edges just like I would a pie. Brought my two worlds of baking and pottery together.
After that class, I knew I wasn’t done. I wanted to come back, take the month-long course, and really dive deeper into the craft—this time, with shorter nails!
Fast forward to 2024, and I’m proud to say I’ve now taken the month-long course twice! The first time was in 2023 with my best friend Mel, and I loved it so much that I convinced my mom to join me this year for round two. It’s been a fulfilling and creatively challenging experience, one that I’ll definitely continue pursuing.
I’m still a beginner, and there’s always so much more to learn, but pottery has become a beautiful way to unwind, focus, and express creativity in a whole new medium. If you’ve ever thought about trying pottery, I can’t recommend it enough—whether it’s a fun group activity with friends, bonding with someone you love, or something to explore at your own pace. The process itself is so calming, and there’s nothing quite like creating something with your hands from start to finish.
So let's get into the documentation of my experience through photos! I also have a little reels on my Instagram if you want to see me in real time throwing on the wheel!
So we're hitting the ground running, once Mel and I decided to do the month long course. We really wanted to get the most out of class and do as many practice hours as we could. So we made a looooot of bowls hahaha.
It was definitely scary at first trying to get comfortable with the speed of the wheel and being confident about your clay not flying off.
We went through wedging, throwing, trimming, and glazing over the four weeks. We had two hour classes so most of them ended with us being able to practice more throwing.
I think my favorite part is definitely throwing. I love really getting to use my hands and practicing staying steady and present.
We typically only handled about 1-2 pounds of clay at a time. I still cannot imagine us throwing big big pieces.
The more brown pitcher looking piece is actually the studios recycled clay. It was a bit "rougher" when throwing but definitely really sturdy. I actually wish I had made a few more pieces with the recycled clay.
These were more pieces from my first month long class along with my most random and interesting piece. The piece all the way to the right was a wobbly bowl and then I randomly started coning up from the very bottom and accidentally made this stumpy "chalice" or margarita cup. In this moment I really should have told myself, "You don't need to fire every piece you make", but I didn't.
This is what some of my pieces looked like after glazing them and waiting for them to get fired for the last time.
Some of these pieces I don't absolutely love but they're special because I made them. The last photo shows how the recycled clay fired. It has a few speckles which I really love.
I think leaving the first month long class there was a lot left to be desired. I really just got to practice a lot and see what different things could happen throughout the process, good and bad, or happy accidents.
I felt like I was confident in some aspects and then in others I wanted to get better.
So the second time around, was a year later. For my mom, the last time she practiced was a course in high school. She made my dad this massive beer mug, with his name spelled out in 3D letters across the front.
Getting to take a pottery class together was not only a chance for her to dust off those old skills but also an incredible way for us to bond. I’d never seen my mom in a learning environment like that before, so watching her jump into something creative was really special. It was fun and fulfilling to share something we could both enjoy, creating side by side. It’s definitely a memory I’ll cherish for a long time.
This time around I had some more of the basics down and had some muscle memory, even though it had been a year.
I tried to make more practical things that I wanted but honestly I didn't have the time to really nail any certain shape, other than bowls. Also, this time around my mom and I didn't go to as many practice hours, so we had mostly just our class time.
I still really would like to get better at every aspect but especially going taller and pulling up. It can be so scary when the walls get thinner!
These are my pieces at different phases of the process. The left photo some of them are still drying and others are bisque. The middle photo is after glazing and waiting for their final firing.
As you can see, the glazing is a lot of experimenting. I had a lot of fun with layering glazes this time around. I felt way more confident with understanding this part of the process. I just love how unique they all turn out and it really makes them so special. I feel like I have a new found respect for pottery and pieces I come across.
I wanted to also include a photo of all my pieces from over the two month long courses. The first photo is all the pieces from my first time doing the month long course. The second photo is from the second round! I can definitely see some improvements so I can only imagine my next time at the studio will be even better.
For me, pottery has become more than just a fun hobby—it’s a form of meditation. There’s something so therapeutic about shaping clay, feeling the texture of it as it spins on the wheel, and working through each stage of the process. It's taught me patience, mindfulness, and even a bit of self-compassion when things don’t turn out perfectly (because, spoiler alert, they often don’t!). But the imperfections are what make each piece unique.
Through my classes, I’ve learned not just the technical skills of pottery but also some important life lessons.
It is okay when things don't go according to plan. I have always been a strong believer in happy little accidents when it comes to art and creativity. With that being said, I totally walk a fine line of striving for perfection, which is unrealistic! Pottery is a humbling craft. Pieces can crack, glaze can look different than expected, and not every bowl will be perfectly symmetrical. But that's part of the magic! I've learned to let go of the idea of "perfect" and embrace the process instead.
When you're throwing on the wheel, you have to be fully present. Pottery has helped me practice mindfulness in a way I didn’t expect. It’s just you, the clay, and the moment. So sometimes your mood can totally translate into the piece.
Pottery is a great reminder that creativity doesn’t need to be confined to any one medium. Whether I’m writing, taking photos, or making bowls, it all taps into the same part of my brain that loves to explore new ideas.
So, what’s next on my pottery journey? I’m planning to take more advanced courses (or potentially the month long course one more time) to improve my skills, experiment with different glazes and techniques, and maybe even start gifting handmade pieces to friends and family. I also really want to start making the pieces of inspo I have saved on my Pinterest but one step at a time!
If you’ve ever been curious about trying pottery yourself, I say go for it! You might just surprise yourself with what you can create. If you’ve already tried pottery, I’d love to hear about your experience! Let’s chat in the comments or over on my Instagram 💌
Comments