Master the Pottery Wheel: 10-Week Friday Evening Pottery Journey
NZ$550.00
Out of stock
Master the Pottery Wheel: 10-Week Pottery Journey
Build Confidence. Develop Real Skills. Create Pottery You'll Be Proud Of.
$550 for the complete 10-week course — just $55 per week. Your investment includes 20 hours of tuition, free Open Studio access throughout the course, and firing and clear glazing for up to 9 finished pieces, making it exceptional value for anyone wanting to learn pottery properly.
If you've always wanted to learn pottery properly, our 10-Week Pottery Journey gives you the time, practice and guidance to truly develop your skills on the wheel.
Unlike short introductory workshops, this course is designed for those who want more than just a taste of pottery. Over ten weeks, you'll build strong foundations before progressing into more advanced techniques, allowing you to create functional and beautiful pottery with confidence.
One of the biggest challenges beginners face isn't learning what to do—it's having enough time to practise. Pottery is a skill built through repetition, patience and experience. The extra weeks allow you to refine your technique, correct common mistakes, and gain the confidence that simply isn't possible in a shorter course.
You'll learn at your own pace in a relaxed, supportive studio environment while creating a collection of finished pieces you'll be proud to use at home.
Why Choose the 10-Week Course?
The five-week course is an excellent introduction to pottery, but many students leave wanting more time on the wheel.
The 10-week course gives you the opportunity to:
• Build muscle memory through regular practice.
• Develop consistency with your throwing.
• Learn trimming, finishing and decorative techniques in greater depth.
• Experiment
• Gain the confidence to work more independently.
• Produce a larger collection of finished pottery.
Rather than simply learning the basics, you'll develop the skills and confidence needed to continue your pottery journey long after the course has finished.
Is This Course For You?
This course is perfect for:
• Complete beginners wanting to learn pottery thoroughly from the beginning.
• Students who enjoy learning at a relaxed pace.
• Anyone looking for a rewarding creative hobby.
• People wanting to develop confidence on the pottery wheel.
• Students who want more practice than a short beginner course can offer.
No previous pottery experience is required.
What You Will Learn
Throughout the ten weeks you will learn:
• Preparing and wedging clay.
• Understanding clay consistency.
• Wheel setup and studio safety.
• Mastering centering techniques.
• Throwing cylinders, bowls and cups.
• Refining wall thickness and shape.
• Trimming and finishing techniques.
• Pulling and attaching handles.
• Surface finishing and decoration.
• Glazing techniques and understanding the firing process.
• Studio practices that support long-term pottery making.
Each lesson builds naturally on the previous week, giving you time to practise, improve and ask questions as your confidence grows.
Course Outline
Weeks 1–2 — Building Strong Foundations
Learn studio safety, clay preparation, wheel setup, wedging and centering. Begin creating your first cylinders and simple forms.
Weeks 3–4 — Developing Core Skills
Focus on improving consistency while throwing bowls, cups and cylinders. Learn how to control height, wall thickness and shape.
Weeks 5–6 — Refining Your Technique
Learn trimming techniques, improve your forms and begin producing more consistent pieces with greater confidence.
Weeks 7–8 — Expanding Your Skills
Explore larger forms, throwing sets, attaching handles and creating more functional pottery while refining your technique.
Week 9 — Surface Decoration & Glazing
Learn decorative finishing techniques, glazing methods and how different glazes transform your pottery during firing.
Week 10 — Finishing Your Collection
Complete your final glazing, review your progress and celebrate everything you've learned while preparing your work for firing.
What's Included
Your course fee includes:
-Ten weekly two-hour pottery classes.
-FREE Open Studio access for the duration of your 10-week course.
-Use of pottery wheels and studio equipment.
-Personalised guidance throughout the course.
-Bisque firing and clear glaze firing for your selected finished pieces.*
*Clay, additional firing and specialty glazing options are available separately.
Why Pottery?
Pottery is more than learning to make bowls and mugs.
It's an opportunity to slow down, disconnect from busy schedules and spend two hours each week creating with your hands. Many students describe pottery as relaxing, mindful and incredibly rewarding.
The satisfaction of transforming a lump of clay into something functional and beautiful is unlike any other creative hobby.
By giving yourself ten weeks, you'll experience real progress—not just in your pottery, but in your confidence as a maker.
Your Pottery Journey Starts Here
Every experienced potter began exactly where you are now—with their first lump of clay.
Whether your goal is to create handmade gifts, beautiful tableware, or simply enjoy a new creative outlet, our 10-Week Pottery Journey provides the time, guidance and encouragement to help you succeed.
We look forward to welcoming you to Pottery Embassy.
Before Booking
Please take a moment to read our Student FAQ, Studio Policies and Terms & Conditions before booking.
These sections include important information about what to bring, clay purchases, firing, pottery collection, cancellations, payment options and studio expectations.
What is not included?
Clay: Clay must be purchased through the studio to ensure compatibility with our firing process. Prices start from $60 per bag (including shipping to Blenheim), prices vary depending on supplier availability.
Firing & Glazing: Your course fee includes bisque firing, clear glazing, and glaze firing for up to 9 finished pieces created during the 10-week course. Any additional pieces are welcome and can be fired for $10 per piece (price may vary depending on dimensions). This includes both firings and clear glazing.
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)
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.
Part of our shared pottery culture means cleaning up after ourselves. Please ensure all tools are thoroughly wiped down after your class so the next group walks into a fresh, tidy workspace!
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 payment plans? Yes. Weekly payment options may be available for selected courses. Please contact Pottery Embassy before booking if you would like to discuss a payment plan.
Do you offer private events? Yes. Pottery Embassy offers private pottery experiences for birthdays, schools, community groups, team-building events, hens' parties and other special occasions. Please contact us to discuss your ideas and receive a customised quote.
Can I continue after this course? Absolutely. Pottery is a skill that develops through regular practice, and many students choose to continue by enrolling in another course or attending studio practice sessions where available. Returning students consistently develop greater confidence, improve their throwing technique and expand their creative abilities with each course. We encourage you to continue your pottery journey and enjoy the satisfaction that comes from building your skills over time.
Pottery Making Is Volatile
Pottery is a wonderfully rewarding craft, but it is also an unpredictable process. Working with clay involves many variables that are outside our control.
Every piece is handled with care throughout the drying, glazing and firing process; however, ceramics can sometimes produce unexpected results. Pieces may crack, warp, glaze differently than expected, or occasionally break during firing.
By booking a workshop or course at Pottery Embassy, you acknowledge and accept these risks as part of the ceramic process. Refunds, credits or replacements cannot be provided for pieces that do not survive drying or firing.
If an issue occurs with your work, we will keep you informed where possible and provide photos or updates if appropriate.
What we can promise is a supportive environment where you can learn, experiment and enjoy the process of creating handmade pottery.
Materials & Equipment
All studio tools and equipment are provided during classes unless otherwise stated.
Tools are shared studio resources and must be treated with care. Students are responsible for returning tools clean and in good condition.
Clay and glazes must meet Pottery Embassy firing requirements to ensure kiln safety and consistent results.
Cleaning & Studio Care
Cleaning is an important part of pottery making and maintaining a shared creative space.
Students are expected to:
• Clean their wheel after use.
• Wash and return all tools.
• Wipe down work areas.
• Leave the studio ready for the next class.
A clean studio creates a better experience for everyone.
Health & Safety
Pottery involves working with clay, tools, equipment and high-temperature kilns.
Participants agree to follow all studio instructions and safety guidelines provided during classes.
Please wear suitable clothing, closed-toe footwear and tie back long hair when using the pottery wheel.
If you have any injuries, medical conditions, allergies or physical limitations that may affect your ability to participate, please inform the instructor before attending.
Group Booking Responsibility
The person making the booking is responsible for ensuring all participants understand these terms and conditions, including the unpredictable nature of pottery making.
Cancellation Policy
Due to limited class sizes, cancellations are handled carefully.
A 20% administration fee applies to approved refunds.
Cancellations made within 14 days of the course or workshop start date may not be eligible for a refund unless your place can be filled by another participant.
Private workshop bookings are non-refundable as the session is reserved specifically for your group.
Attendance
Missed classes, no-shows or late arrivals are non-refundable and cannot be transferred.
Please arrive on time, as important safety information and demonstrations may occur at the beginning of each session.
Transfers & Rescheduling
Requests to transfer to another course or workshop must be made in advance and are subject to availability.
Photography & Media
Photos and videos taken during classes, including images of student work, may be used for Pottery Embassy marketing purposes.
If you prefer not to be photographed, please let us know.
Collection of Finished Work
Finished pottery generally takes approximately 6–8 weeks to complete due to drying, bisque firing, glazing and final firing.
You will be contacted when your work is ready for collection.
Due to limited studio storage, finished work should be collected within the timeframe provided. Additional costs apply for shipping if required.
Payment Plans
Weekly payment options may be available.
If Afterpay/Klarna is not suitable, please contact Pottery Embassy before your course begins to arrange an alternative payment schedule.
