Thinking about taking a beginner pottery class? Get ready to dive into the messy, marvelous world of wheel throwing and all things pottery with me.

Imagine a room buzzing with excitement, where clay is the star of the show. That’s where my pottery journey kicked off!

In this blog post, I’m pumped to spill all the deets from my first-ever wheel-throwing class. From wobbly beginnings to unexpected triumphs, I’ll be sharing every twist and turn of this clay-filled adventure.

So grab a seat, maybe even your own handmade mug, and let’s get our hands dirty together!

*Disclaimer: I am by no means a pottery expert. I have taken 1 beginning pottery class and wanted to share my experience and everything I learned in order to give you a little more insight into the magic of ceramics and what you can expect if you are just getting started too. Disclaimer policy.

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This post contains affiliate links. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

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Since graduating college in May of 2023, I have been on a little bit of a self-discovery journey.

The year after graduating is something that nobody can prepare you for. I dive more into the subject in my post, How to Manage the Stress of Graduating College. But for now, just know that as one chapter ends, another starts. And this new chapter lead me straight to pottery!

Pottery was something that I have always wanted to do and now I finally had the time. So I signed up for a class and LOVED IT!

So if you are thinking about taking a pottery class or starting any other hobby, this is your sign to DO IT! I promise you won’t regret it.

Whether you are on your own self-discovery journey or just want to get into pottery yourself, buckle up because here is everything I learned in my first beginner pottery class.

So, without further ado, let’s get into it!

What is Wheel-Throwing?

Wheel throwing in pottery is a traditional and intricate technique where a potter shapes clay on a spinning wheel to create various vessels and forms.

This method allows for precise control over the shape, thickness, and texture of the pottery. The potter starts by centering a lump of clay on the wheel, then uses their hands and various tools to shape the clay as it rotates.

The process demands skill, patience, and a keen eye for detail as slight adjustments can dramatically alter the final piece. Wheel-throwing offers artists a dynamic and expressive way to craft functional and decorative ceramics, embodying both tradition and innovation in the art of pottery-making.

Aside from that, you need to be extremely patient and have a very steady hand. Leveraging support from your arm and side body will help dramatically with this.

I find wheel-throwing to be beautiful, graceful and so peaceful. However, trying it for the first time can be nerve-racking, exiting and frustrating. But the more you practice, the more you start to feel comfortable with the wheel.

Something that seems scary suddenly turns in something so peaceful and delicate.

My Pottery Class

My first glimpse into pottery was a 5-week wheel-throwing class which took me through the whole process from start to finish.

The class was laid out like so:

• Week 1: Introduction-  How to throw a cylinder (centering, opening and pulling up the walls)
• Week 2: Continuation of week 1 (Practice makes perfect)
• Week 3: Trimming and more throwing
• Week 4: Handles and surface decoration
• Week 5: Glazing

In between week 4 and 5 is when our pots went through their first firing- the bisque fire. After week 5, they went through the final firing – glaze fire. After that, we were able to come and pick up our final pieces.

Class Options

While I choose to take the beginner wheel-throwing class, there was a lot of different options. My local studio offered an array of classes including wheel-throwing, hand-building (another technique to make pottery using your hands), and sculpture (generally a more advanced class).

I suggest researching your local studios to find a class that fits your wants and needs. While you are researching the studio, look at what else they offer besides classes – do they have open studio time, membership options, etc.

If you do choose to continue pottery after the class is finished it might be nice to continue with a familiar studio.

Everything I Learned in My Beginner Pottery Class

1. Nothing is perfect

In my studio, the instructor wouldn’t even say the “P” word. It was not allowed. If you want a perfect ceramic dish, go buy one that was mass produced by a machine. That is the only way to get a perfect ceramic mug or dish.

After seeing my final results, the fact that they aren’t perfect is what makes them special. You are able to see and appreciate the unique beautiful in the imperfection. All the hard work and love for that piece really comes out in hand-made pottery compared to store-bought, machine produced pottery.

2. You will get messy

Making pottery is undeniably messy, and getting dirty is all part of the creative process.

Most pottery studios provide aprons to shield your clothes from the inevitable splatters and smudges of clay. However, even with protection, it’s wise to expect to get a bit grubby.

Clay has a sneaky way of finding its way onto your clothes, and while it washes out easily, it’s essential to be cautious. Too much clay accumulation in your clothes can pose a risk when throwing them in the washing machine, potentially leading to clogged pipes.

Despite these potential pitfalls, the joy of working with clay and the satisfaction of creating something beautiful often outweigh the inconvenience of a little mess. So roll up your sleeves, don your apron, and embrace the delightful chaos of pottery-making.

3. It is not as easy as it looks

Pottery, though it may seem effortless when observing skilled artisans at work, is far from easy.

I remember seeing wheel-throwing video on Instagram and thinking “how hard can that be?” And boy was I wrong.

The delicate balance of shaping, smoothing, and firing clay demands patience, precision, and practice.

Lots of things can make your pottery collapse or fall and beginner potters often don’t have the knowledge to know what they need to change or do different. That is why I highly suggest taking a class. The instructor will be able to guide you and tell you what to change.

Yet, perseverance pays off, as with each attempt, you will be able to gain experience and hone in on your technique. Over time, the clay will become more manageable, and what once seemed daunting will begin to feel within reach.

With dedication and practice, aspiring potters gradually develop the muscle memory and artistic intuition necessary to bring their visions to life, proving that while pottery may not be effortless, it certainly becomes more accessible with time and effort.

4. Pottery is NOT for long nails

If you’re getting into pottery, you might wanna consider keeping those nails short.

Long nails can be a bit of a hassle when you’re playing with clay.

The process of shaping clay on a wheel or hand-building requires a delicate touch and precise manipulation of the material. Long nails can easily catch on the clay, disrupting the smoothness of the surface or even causing unintentional deformities in the piece.

So, for a smoother, cleaner pottery experience, it’s best to trim those nails!

5. 4 Different Types of Clay

Clay comes in a variety of types, each with its own unique characteristics and uses.

Air-drying clay is a popular choice for beginners and craft projects because it doesn’t require firing in a kiln. It dries on its own when exposed to air, making it convenient for creating sculptures and ornaments. You like will not find this type of clay in your local pottery studio.

Earthenware clay is another common type, known for its rich, earthy colors and porous texture. It’s fired at relatively low temperatures, making it ideal for pottery that doesn’t need to be watertight, like plant pots and decorative items.

Stoneware clay is more durable and versatile, fired at higher temperatures to create pottery suitable for everyday use, such as dishes, mugs, and vases.

Porcelain clay is the most refined and delicate of the bunch, prized for its smooth texture and translucent appearance. Fired at high temperatures, porcelain is often used to make fine china, delicate figurines, and decorative objects. However, this is also extremely hard to work and not as beginner friendly.

Each type of clay offers its own set of possibilities and challenges, catering to the diverse needs and preferences of artists and craftsmen alike.

6. Potter Talk – Kiln Lingo

When you start to talk about firing your work and the process of the kiln, you will likely hear some unfamiliar lingo – specifically cones.

Cones are a potters way of measuring temperature within the kiln. This ranges from cone022 (the least hot)- cone10 (the hottest temperature). Don’t be fooled, cone022 is still an extremely hot temperature at around 1087°F or 586°C. Cone10 on the other hand is around 2375°F or 1285°C.

Keep in mind, your bisque fire will be at a lower temperature then glazing firing. Which cone you fire to depends on the type of clay you have and the type of glaze you use.

Clay types can be broken up into three sections:

• Low-Range clay is fired at the lowest temperatures, ranging from between 1,700°F to 2,100°F Cone 04-06 (900°C to 1,150°C).
• Mid-Range clay is fired at intermediate temperatures, typically between 2,100°F and 2,300°F Cone 5-6 (1,150°C to 1,260°C). This is likely what you will be using due to it being adaptable and consistent. My pieces were glaze fired to cone5.
• High-Fire clay ranges from 2,300°F to 2,700°F Cone 9-10 (1,260°C to 1,480°C). This is the firing range for the densest stoneware and porcelain clay typically used for dishware.

Higher temperatures allow the clay to fully vitrify, meaning then you super strong and less porous.

Hopefully that gives you a little bit more information about cones and potter lingo. I will give some more details about each firing as we get into the full pottery process. However, if you want a more in-depth explanation of cone temperatures including a chart, read more here.

7. Full Beginner Pottery Process – Wheel Throwing

Step 1: Wedge your clay

When you’re getting your clay ready for pottery, wedging is like giving it a good mix-up. It is the first step, but also the most important.

You have to fold, press, and spin it around to get rid of any pesky air bubbles and make it nice and smooth.

This helps make the clay easier to work with and less likely to crack later on. So, think of wedging as your clay’s warm-up before it gets shaped into something awesome!

Step 2: Slam clay into the middle of the wheel

This is pretty self-explanatory. You don’t have to literally slam the clay. But firmly put the clay in the center of the wheel.

In my pottery class, I was taught to draw an X in the center of the wheel with a little bit of water and then aim for the center of the X. If the clay is not directly in the center, you can then pull the clay to the center.

3. Seal edges

Then, you need to seal the edges of the clay to match sure the clay is glued the wheel and doesn’t move around when you begin putting pressure on it. You can seal the edges of bunch of different ways.

4. Centering

Alright, so centering clay is like finding that sweet spot on a spinning top – you want it balanced and ready to go!

You basically have to push and pull the clay while it’s spinning on the wheel until it’s all nice and centered. It’s a bit of a dance between your hands and the wheel.

This step is the foundation of wheel-throwing. It takes a minute to get the hung of it and you have to practice and practice and practice. However, centering is super important because if you clay is not in the center of the wheel as you begin to pull up the walls and form your shape, it will cause unevenness and may result is your piece falling.

5. Carve out bottom

Before you can beginning pulling up the walls and make a shape, you need to carve out the bottom. In your class, the instructor will give more detail on how to do this.

However, during this step is when you decide how big or small you want the base of your piece to be. You can make a big base or small base but this is when you ideally make that decision.

6. Build up the walls

Building up the walls is the step at which made me very nervous at first. That is because it is usually the step that takes intense hand steadiness and technique.

You have to be EXTREMELY slow and ensure you keep even pressure as you build the wall higher. This being said, don’t be scared. If something happens, just try again!

7. Customize

Now, you can get into customizing you piece. There is so many things you can do from here. The possibilities are really endless.

8. Let it dry until its leather-hard

Once you are satisfied with the shape of your piece, you will need to take it off the wheel and put it somewhere to dry. You want to cover your piece to ensure that is dries slowing.

If your piece dries too quickly, it is more likely to crack. You want the entire piece to dry at the same rate. This is why it is important to ensure your walls on the piece are even thickness.

You want to allow you piece to dry to leather-hard. This means it is hard enough to touch it and pick it up without it losing shape, but not completely dry where you can’t mold it or make a streak with your finger.

9. Trim/Add Handles & Let it Dry

When you piece is leather-hard, you are then able to go in a trim it or make any final touches such as adding a handle or additional mini sculptures.

All of this is optional and completely up to you and your creative vision.

Once you are completely satisfied with your piece and don’t want any more changes to the shape, let it complete dry until it so bone dry.

10. First fire – Bisque fire

Once your piece is bone dry, it is ready to go into the kiln for it’s first fire, which is called a bisque fire.

During a bisque fire your piece is fired at a lower temperature then it is when you glaze fire.

My instructor always said you bisque to break. This is because if your piece ends up breaking due to a variety of reasons, you want it to happen during the bisque and not during the glaze fire. If you piece breaks with glaze on it, it can cause a huge mess in the kiln.

12. Glaze

Now, let’s talk glazing – it’s like giving your pottery a colorful coat of paint!

After all the hard work shaping and firing, this is where you get to add those vibrant hues and glossy finishes.

Just dip, brush, or pour on your chosen glaze, pop it back in the kiln, and wait for the magic to happen. It’s like the icing on the cake, turning your creation into a true work of art!

13. Second fire – Glaze fire

Lastly, you have the final firing – the glaze fire. After that, you should have a beautiful, completely unique piece of pottery!

And there you have it! The full pottery process! I hope that you are little more familiar with the process now. Once you get into a studio and actually start working your instructor with help explain and demonstrate each specific step WAY more in detail.

Ready to Get Started with Pottery?

There is so many different possibilities and routes you can take when it comes to getting started on your pottery journey.

However, if you have never worked with pottery before, I HIGHLY suggest signing up for a class. Pottery can be tricky and frustrating. Taking a guided and instructed class allows you to learn techniques and tips to make your journey smoother. It also allows you to learn proper pottery safety.

In this blog post, I focused on wheel throwing but there is also hand-building pottery as an alternative instead of using a pottery wheel.

Additionally, starting pottery on your own is a HUGE expense. Let me tell you…this is not a cheap hobby. But if you are ready to take the step at diving into pottery, find a studio and take an intro class.

From there you can decide if you want to set up for own studio, become a member at a local studio, utilize open studio times, etc. There is so many resources and options out there to continue or start your pottery journey.

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you gained some insights to pottery and the opportunity and experience you can get by simply trying something new.

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“Embrace the joy of exploration and the thrill of discovery as you dive into new hobbies. Like an artist with a blank canvas, let your curiosity guide you, and with each experiment, unveil the masterpiece of your potential.”