Absolute Beginner Pottery Wheel Course Thursday Evening | 5 Weeks

Pottery is a wonderfully rewarding craft, but it can also be unpredictable. By choosing to work with clay, you’re stepping into a creative process full of variables, many of which are beyond my control.

I want to be upfront: I cannot guarantee that your piece will return to you exactly as you left it. I handle every piece with care and treat your work as if it were my own. However, in ceramics, things do go wrong; pieces can crack, glazes may run, items can warp or even explode in the kiln. Sometimes your creation won’t turn out the way you imagined, and that’s part of the process too.

By choosing to book this workshop, you acknowledge and accept these risks as part of the learning experience. I do not offer refunds, credits, or replacements for any pieces that are damaged, or don’t make it through the drying and firing process.If any issues arise, I’ll keep you informed by email and share photos where possible.

What I can promise is a welcoming and encouraging environment where you can explore, create, and have fun. This is your opportunity to connect with clay, embrace the unexpected, and enjoy the unique experience of making something by hand.

What is included in my workshop fee ($289.00)?

• Firing: Bisque and clear-glaze firing for up to 6 finished pieces.

• Tools: A loaned set of throwing tools for the duration of the course.

What is not included?

• Clay: Must be purchased through the studio to ensure kiln compatibility. Prices start from $55+ (inclusive of shipping to Blenheim) depending on supplier stock.

• Upgrades: Colored/specialty glazes or extra clay/firings beyond the 6-piece allowance are available at current studio rates.

Can I bring my own clay or glazes?

• No, only approved studio materials may be used. Unsuitable materials can melt or explode, damaging the kilns and other students' work.

What do I need to bring? Please bring the following items to every session:

• 10L lidded bucket (for transporting your clay waste and slip home—do not pour clay down studio sinks)

• 1L yogurt tub (to safely store and transport your loaned tools)

• Storage bin with a lid (serves as your personal drying box and transport container)

• Reusable tote bag (capable of carrying 10kg of clay)

• Apron, old towel, and a cleaning cloth

What should I wear?

• Comfortable clothes you don't mind getting messy, closed-toe shoes, and tied-back long hair. Remove loose jewelry before using the wheel. Note: Pottery Embassy is not responsible for damaged clothing.

Do I really need short nails?

• Yes, strongly recommended. Long nails easily gouge wet clay, creating hairline cracks. While they look minor at first, these marks weaken the clay and cause pieces to warp or split during the drying and firing stages.

What are the cleaning expectations?

• Students are expected to clean their wheel, tools, and workspace during the final 15 minutes of class.

• Loaned tools must be taken home in your yogurt tub, washed, and brought back clean for the next session. All tools must be returned at the end of Week 5.

General Studio Rules:

• Arrive on time (late arrivals miss essential safety and technique demonstrations; missed time cannot be made up).

• Clearly label all work. Unlabeled pieces will not be fired and may be recycled.

• Keep phones on silent.

• No children or extra guests are permitted in the studio unless they are enrolled or pre-approved. (The minimum age for wheel-throwing courses is 16).

What happens if my pottery cracks or breaks?

Please Note: Pottery is Volatile. Ceramics involves variables beyond our control. While we handle your work with the utmost care, pieces can warp, crack, or react unexpectedly to glazes. Pottery Embassy does not offer refunds, credits, or replacements for pieces that do not survive the drying or firing process. Embracing these unexpected results is part of the learning journey!

How long until I can collect my pieces?

• Finished work typically takes 6–8 weeks to process. Drying cannot be rushed without cracking the clay, so extended rain or high humidity can delay this timeline.

• If it has been over 8 weeks and you haven't received a pickup notification, feel free to reach out. Once notified, please collect your work within one month due to limited studio storage. Uncollected work will be recycled or donated.

Do you offer refunds or transfers? Because spots are highly limited, all changes are handled on a case-by-case basis:

• Cancellations: A refund is only possible if your spot can be filled by another student. If it cannot be filled, a 20% administration fee applies.

• Transfers: Request must be made at least one month prior to the course start date (subject to availability).

Do you offer private events?

• Yes! We host private pottery experiences for birthdays, schools, team-building, and small groups. Contact us directly to book.

5 Week Beginner Wheel Throwing Course

12.5 hours total — 2 hour and 30 minutes sessions each week

Course Overview

This beginner-friendly 5-week course is designed to introduce students to the foundations of wheel throwing in a supportive and relaxed studio environment. Students will learn the basics of preparing clay, centering on the wheel, and making cylinders — the foundation of many ceramic forms.

Throughout the course, students will also learn trimming, simple handle attachment, and glazing techniques while building confidence through repetition, patience, and hands-on practice.

Week 1 — Meet the Wheel

Focus: Foundations + Centering

* Studio safety and introduction to tools

* Clay wedging demonstration

* Wheel posture and speed control

* Introduction to centering clay

* Repetition exercises focused on control and coordination

Outcome:

Students become familiar with clay and begin developing confidence with centering on the wheel.

Week 2 — Opening + Pulling Walls

Focus: Building Forms

* Centering review and practice

* Learning to open clay

* First wall pulls

* Understanding pressure and wall thickness

* Creating basic cylinder forms

Students will begin making their first functional cup and bowl shapes. Collapsing pieces are a normal part of learning and encouraged as part of the process.

Outcome:

First rough cylinders and growing wheel confidence.

Week 3 — Refining Forms + Handles

Focus: Control and Finishing

* Improving cylinder shapes and consistency

* Rim finishing and base clean-up

* Introduction to trimming leather-hard work

* Learning to attach simple handles

Students select and refine pieces they would like to keep and finish.

Outcome:

More balanced functional forms with simple finishing techniques.

Week 4 — Trimming + Preparing for Glaze

Focus: Refinement and Surface Preparation

* Final trimming and foot finishing

* Smoothing and refining forms

* Handle adjustments and finishing touches

* Preparing pieces for glazing

* Introduction to glaze options and surface finishes

Students complete and prepare their selected pieces for glazing and final firing.

Outcome:

Finished pottery pieces prepared and ready for glazing.

Week 5 — Glazing + Celebration

Focus: Surface, Completion + Community

* Glaze safety and application

* Dipping and glazing techniques

* Final finishing and kiln preparation

* Discussion around continuing pottery practice and studio opportunities

For the final week, students are welcome to bring a friend or family member to the studio to view their finished work, watch the glazing process, and celebrate what they’ve created throughout the course.

Outcome:

Completed glazed ceramic pieces ready for kiln firing and a relaxed final evening celebrating student progress and creativity.

Please Note

This course is flexible and adapts to the pace of the group. Wheel throwing takes time and repetition to develop, and students may progress at different speeds. Extra practice and guidance will be offered where needed to ensure everyone feels supported throughout the learning process. Studio Wheel Time is encouraged.

Group Booking Responsibility
The person making the booking is responsible for informing all participants of these terms and conditions, including the inherent variability involved in pottery making.

Cancellation Policy
We understand that plans can change and will always do our best to help where possible. A 20% administration fee applies to all cancellations and will be deducted from any refund issued. Cancellations made within 14 days of the workshop start date may not be eligible for a refund unless the space can be filled. Private workshop bookings are non-refundable, as these sessions are reserved specifically for your group.

Attendance
Missed classes or no-shows are non-refundable and non-transferable. Please arrive on time, as late arrivals may miss important instructions and may not be able to complete their work.

Rescheduling
Requests to transfer to another workshop must be made in advance and are subject to availability.

Health & Safety
By participating, you acknowledge that pottery involves the use of tools and equipment and agree to follow all safety instructions provided. Participation is at your own risk.

Kiln & Breakage Disclaimer
While all care is taken during drying and firing, pottery is an unpredictable process and breakages, cracks, or glaze variations can occur. We cannot guarantee final results and are not responsible for damage that occurs during firing.

Photos & Media
Photos and videos taken during classes, including images of student work, may be used for promotional purposes on my website and social media channels. By enrolling, you consent to this use. If you prefer not to be photographed, please inform me. You may request removal of any image at any time.

Materials Provided
All tools are loaned and must be returned on week 5. Just bring your creativity and enthusiasm.

Cleaning & Equipment Policy
Students are required to clean their tools, workspace, and any equipment used after each class. Please ensure all tools are wiped down and your area is left as you found it. These practices help tutors finish and pack up efficiently, ensuring the studio is ready for the next group.

Collecting Your Work
Finished pieces will be available for pickup after the drying and firing process, which takes approximately 6–8 weeks. You will be notified when your work is ready for collection. Additional costs apply for individual shipping if required. Finished work must be collected within a reasonable timeframe after notification due to limited storage space.

Weekly Payment Plan
If Klarna which is Pottery Embassy's "Afterpay" isn’t suitable for you, you’re welcome to pay for workshops in weekly installments. You can deposit any amount that fits your budget each week, as long as the full balance is paid before the workshop date. Book as usual and select bank transfer as your payment method, then send a message to receive bank details so payments can be easily tracked.

Health, Safety & Participation

Pottery Embassy is committed to providing a safe and supportive studio environment. Participants acknowledge that working with pottery materials, tools, equipment, and glazes involves some inherent risks.

By attending workshops or classes, participants agree to follow studio instructions, safety guidelines, and reasonable directions provided by instructors at all times.

Participants are responsible for ensuring they are physically able to participate in studio activities. Please inform your instructor before class if you have any medical conditions, allergies, injuries, pregnancy considerations, or physical limitations that may affect your participation.

While every reasonable care is taken to maintain a safe studio environment, Pottery Embassy is not liable for personal injury, loss, or damage arising from participation in studio activities except where required by New Zealand law.

For studio health and safety guidelines, please ensure you take the time to read and familiarise yourself with the information provided before attending your workshop or class here.

If standard payment options like Klarna don't work for you, we are happy to offer an alternative weekly payment plan!

How it works:

* Weekly Payments: You can break down the course cost into manageable weekly installments.

* Paid in Full: The entire course fee must be fully paid off before the course start date.

* Secure Your Spot: Please flick us a message right away so we can manually block out your spot while we set up your custom weekly payment method.