Pottery 101: A Beginner's Guide to Getting Started with Ceramics
Everything you need to know to start your pottery journey - from choosing clay to mastering the wheel. Perfect for complete beginners!
What is Pottery?
Pottery is the art of shaping clay into functional or decorative objects and hardening them through firing. It's one of humanity's oldest crafts, dating back over 20,000 years. Today, pottery combines ancient techniques with modern creativity, making it accessible to everyone - no experience needed!
Essential Pottery Techniques
1. Wheel Throwing
The most iconic pottery technique! You center clay on a spinning wheel and use your hands to shape it into bowls, cups, vases, and more. It takes practice but is incredibly rewarding. Our Date Night Pottery classes are perfect for beginners.
2. Handbuilding
No wheel required! Handbuilding uses techniques like pinching, coiling, and slab construction. It's great for creating unique shapes and sculptural pieces. Check out our Handbuilding Pottery classes.
3. Glazing & Firing
After shaping your piece, it needs to dry, get fired in a kiln (bisque firing), then glazed and fired again. The glaze transforms into a glass-like coating, adding color and making your piece waterproof.
Types of Clay
- Earthenware: Low-fire clay, porous, great for decorative pieces
- Stoneware: Mid-to-high fire, durable, perfect for functional pottery
- Porcelain: High-fire, smooth, translucent when thin - the "fancy" clay
Getting Started with Pottery
The best way to learn pottery is hands-on with expert guidance. You don't need to buy any equipment - our studios provide everything!
For Absolute Beginners: Start with our Beginner Wheel Throwing class. You'll learn centering, pulling walls, and basic shaping.
For Couples: Our Date Night Pottery is the perfect introduction - fun, romantic, and no pressure!
For Groups: Book a private pottery party for birthdays, team building, or celebrations.
Common Beginner Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
- Using too much water - your clay will get too soft
- Not centering properly before shaping
- Pulling walls too thin - they'll collapse
- Rushing the drying process - slow and even prevents cracks
- Being afraid to mess up - pottery is all about practice!
Ready to Try Pottery?
Join us in Chicago & Eugene for a hands-on pottery experience. All skill levels welcome - we provide everything you need!