Beginner Wheel Throwing Friday Evening | 8 Weeks | Oct 30
NZ$359.00
8-Week Beginner Pottery Wheel Course
An In-Depth Introduction to Wheel Throwing
Ready to really get to know the pottery wheel?
Our 8-Week Beginner Pottery Wheel Course is designed for complete beginners and those with a little wheel experience who want to take a deeper dive into wheel throwing.
Over eight weekly sessions, you'll have time to learn the foundations properly, practise each technique, make mistakes, try again and gradually build the muscle memory and confidence needed to become more independent at the wheel.
This isn't just about making a few pots — it's about beginning to understand how clay moves, how your hands influence form, and how repetition transforms your throwing.
You don't need to be artistic, naturally creative or "good with your hands." Wheel throwing is a skill that develops through practice, patience and time at the wheel.
Expect muddy hands, plenty of wonky pots and those incredibly satisfying moments when everything suddenly starts to click.
What You'll Learn
Throughout the eight weeks we'll explore:
Preparing and wedging clay
Centring clay confidently
Opening and compressing
Pulling and controlling walls
Throwing cylinders
Throwing bowls and curved forms
Controlling height, thickness and shape
Trimming and creating foot rings
Making and attaching handles
Creating functional pottery
Identifying and correcting common throwing problems
Surface finishing and glazing
Developing consistency and confidence
Beginning to work more independently at the wheel
Who Is This Course For?
This course is perfect for someone who wants to immerse themselves in learning wheel throwing rather than simply trying the pottery wheel for a few sessions.
It's a great fit if you:
Are completely new to wheel throwing and want a thorough introduction
Have tried a workshop or short course and want to develop your skills further
Want regular time on the wheel to build muscle memory
Would like to understand the techniques behind successful throwing
Want to become more confident working independently
Love the idea of having a regular creative practice each week
No previous pottery experience is required.
What's Included
Your course includes:
Eight weekly guided wheel-throwing classes
Pottery wheel tuition and demonstrations
Use of studio pottery wheels
Use of studio tools during class
Clear Glazing instruction
Access to additional practice/catch-up sessions by arrangement and subject to availability
A supportive environment where you can learn at your own pace
What to Bring
Please wear comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting clay on, closed-toe shoes and tie back long hair. Loose jewellery should be removed before using the wheel. Pottery Embassy is not responsible for damage to clothing or personal belongings.
5L bucket with a secure lid: Your bucket is used to collect clay water, slip and clay waste during class. Clay must never be poured down studio sinks because it can settle and block plumbing.
You’ll take your bucket home after each session. Once the clay has settled, the clear water can be carefully disposed of over a suitable area of soil on your property, away from drains and waterways. The settled clay can be saved and reclaimed for future use. Your tutor can show you how the reclaiming process works.
40L Storage bin with a secure lid: The container creates a controlled drying environment so your pottery dries slowly and evenly until it reaches the leather-hard stage, when it is firm enough to trim, carve, refine or attach handles. Please purchase the item shown in the attached photo from Bunnings so we can stack them in the studio and maximise our storage space.
Sturdy reusable carry bag: Bring a strong tote or carry bag capable of safely holding at least 10kg of clay.
Apron, old towel and cleaning cloth: Pottery gets messy, and these will be useful throughout the course and during end-of-class cleaning.
Clay & Firing
Clay is purchased separately and is not included in your course fee. Colored and specialty glazes are additional cost.
Only Pottery Embassy-approved clay and glazes may be used in the studio to ensure materials are compatible with our kilns and firing temperatures.
Please refer to the course booking information for current firing charges and inclusions.
Extra Practice & Catch-Up Time
Wheel throwing is learned through repetition.
The more time you spend centring, opening, pulling and shaping clay, the more those movements begin to become muscle memory.
Where studio and wheel availability allows, additional practice and catch-up sessions may be arranged with your tutor.
If you need to miss one of your regular classes, please let us know as early as possible and we'll do our best to arrange an available catch-up opportunity.
Minimum Enrolment
To create a great class environment and allow us to run the full 8-week programme, a minimum of 6 students is required for this course to proceed.
You are welcome to secure your place as soon as bookings open.
If the minimum of 6 enrolments is not reached and Pottery Embassy is unable to proceed with the course, you will receive a full refund of your course fee.
We'll let all enrolled students know before the scheduled course start date if the minimum enrolment has not been reached.
Eight Weeks to Get to Know the Wheel
Learning pottery isn't about making the perfect pot in your first class.
It's about centring another piece of clay.
And another.
And another.
It's noticing that something that felt impossible a few weeks ago suddenly feels natural.
Over eight weeks, you'll have the opportunity to learn, practise, experiment, make mistakes, refine your technique and discover just how rewarding wheel throwing can be.
Come ready to get your hands muddy and spend eight weeks discovering what you can create at Pottery Embassy.
Your 8-Week Wheel Throwing Journey
Week 1 — Meet the Wheel
We'll start with the foundations: preparing and wedging clay, understanding the wheel, body positioning, wheel speed and learning how to centre clay.
You'll begin opening your clay and creating your first simple forms.
Week 2 — Centring, Opening & Pulling
We'll continue working on the fundamental movements of throwing.
You'll practise centring, opening and pulling walls while learning how pressure, wheel speed and hand positioning work together.
Repetition is key this week — the more clay you centre, the more natural it begins to feel.
Week 3 — Cylinders & Control
The cylinder is one of the foundations of wheel throwing.
We'll work on creating taller, more even forms while developing better control over wall thickness, height and shape.
You'll also start learning how to identify what's happening when a pot doesn't quite go according to plan — an important part of becoming an independent potter.
Week 4 — Bowls & Shaping
Now we'll begin manipulating your basic forms.
You'll explore bowls, curves and different profiles while learning how subtle changes in pressure and hand position can completely transform a piece.
Week 5 — Trimming & Refining
Throwing is only half the story.
You'll learn how to trim leather-hard pottery, create foot rings, refine forms and turn a freshly thrown piece into something that feels considered and finished.
Week 6 — Mugs, Handles & Functional Forms
We'll bring several skills together to create functional pottery.
You'll learn how to make and attach handles, join clay correctly and think about proportion, balance and how your pottery feels when it's actually being used.
Week 7 — Developing Your Throwing
This week gives you more freedom to revisit the forms and techniques you want to strengthen.
Work towards creating more consistent pieces, challenge yourself with different forms or begin developing a small set.
The focus starts shifting from simply following demonstrations to understanding the clay and making your own decisions at the wheel.
Week 8 — Glazing, Finishing & Bringing It All Together
Your final week brings the pottery process together.
We'll explore glazing and finishing your work while reflecting on the techniques you've developed throughout the course.
You'll also have the opportunity to discuss where to go next with your pottery and which skills you may want to continue developing.
By now, movements that felt completely unfamiliar in Week 1 should be starting to feel much more natural.