Pottery Class - Introduction to Hand Building

Want to get your hands on some clay and learn pottery techniques? Join us for this fun and creative pottery workshop!

Fancy reaping the therapeutic benefits of getting your hands on clay but don’t know where to start?  Book our hand-building pottery taster session, perfect for beginners and designed to give you a good introduction to working with clay and different hand-building techniques.

FAQ's

What can I expect from a pottery workshop at Crafty Monkey?

• Step-by-Step Guidance: We will teach you all the different skills and techniques you will need to make your own hand-built piece
• All Materials Included: We provide all the clay, tools, and materials you’ll need. Just bring your creativity!
• Chilled Atmosphere: Enjoy a relaxed and friendly environment.
• Small group sizes:  Class sizes are small to ensure everyone gets the assistance required.
• Take Home Your Creation: Once your Piece has been fired (please allow 3-5 weeks for it to dry and go through the kiln) you'll have a beautiful, handcrafted piece to display at home.

What types of pottery techniques will I learn in this class?

• Wedging
• Slab rolling and building method
• Coiling method
• Slip and Scoring
• Use of Pottery Tools
• How to create textures and patterns on clay (optional)
• Tips for painting/glazing your finished piece

What are the benefits of taking a pottery class with Crafty Monkey?

• Therapeutic and Relaxing: Working with clay is a calming and therapeutic activity that helps reduce stress and promotes mindfulness.
• Boosts Creativity: Explore new creative techniques and discover the joy of making something with your own hands.
• Creative Fun: Unleash your creativity and craft something unique.

Is this pottery class suitable for beginners?

Our pottery lessons are aimed at beginners and you will be taught basic handbuilding and sculpting techniques.  However, it's intended to be a fun session and all levels are welcome.

What age is this pottery workshop aimed at?

While the class is aimed at adults,  age 8+ years can attend.  Anyone under 12 years will need to be accompanied by a paying participating adult who can provide additional assistance if required.

What should I wear to a pottery class?

Playing with clay can be messy as you're effectively playing with mud!  Like mud, clay and our underglazes wash easily out of clothing but we advise wearing something comfortable that you don't mind getting mucky.  Also, feel free to bring an apron.

Will I get to use underglazes on my piece?

If time allows and your piece is stable and dry enough you may be able to add colour during the class with our pottery underglazes. If it's not possible your instructor will go through the options of painting it at a later date or you can decide to go au-natural and have it clear glazed.

Do you sell food and drink or can I bring my own?

We sell cold drinks which are available to purchase but do not allow you to consume your own food and drink on our premises - with the exception of alcoholic drinks on our Sip and Paint and event nights.

What should I be aware of?

Due to the nature of clay, problems can arise such as cracks and pieces becoming detatched during the making, drying and firing process.  Instruction is given on how to minimise issues.  If, in the unfortunate event, something happens to your piece, we will do our best to fix it but please be aware it's not always possible.

Spaces are limited so don’t miss out on the opportunity to make your own pottery and book your spot now!