Blenheim Absolute Beginner Pottery Wheel Workshop | 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.

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.

Workshop Inclusions:

• The workshop includes firing of your best 8 pieces of finished product. Extra piece is additional cost per piece

• You’ll receive your own loaned throwing tools as part of the workshop 😊 Please give them a wash at home after every class and bring them along to each class. It’s also helpful to bring a small tub or a large yoghurt container to keep your tools in. These tools must be returned on week 5

Workshop Exclusions:

• Clay and glazing (color) fees are additional to lesson fees. Bisque and glaze firing for 8 pieces is free. One 10kg bag is approximately $45+ depending on whats .in stock. Clay can also be shared between two students if you enrol with a friend.

Please bring the following:

• 10L lidded bucket - All slip and clay waste—including dirty, unwanted, or used clay—must be taken home with you.

• 1L yogurt container 

• Apron, old towel, cleaning cloth

• Storage bin with lid - For safe transporation and drying container of your pieces home

Participant Requirements – Cleaning & Studio Care

• Participants are required to thoroughly clean their pottery wheel and surrounding work area after each class, leaving it in the same condition as it was found.

• All tools must be taken home and washed after each session. 

• The final 15-minutes of every class is clean-up period, which all participants are expected to take part in as part of the workshop.

• Arrive on time for each class, as late arrivals disrupt demonstrations and reduce learning time. Missed time cannot be made up.

• Wear appropriate clothing suitable for pottery. Closed-toe shoes are recommended. The studio is not responsible for damaged clothing.

• Tie back long hair and remove loose jewellery while working on the wheel for safety.

• Follow tutor instructions at all times to ensure a safe and productive studio environment.

• Respect shared equipment and facilities, including wheels, tools and shelvings.

• Label all work clearly with your name or assigned mark. Unlabelled work may not be fired.

• Only approved clay bodies and materials may be used. Outside clay or glazes must be approved prior to use.

• Unclaimed or excess work may be recycled at the studio’s discretion.

• Do not pour clay or glaze residue down sinks.

• Notify the tutor of any breakages or damage to equipment immediately.

• Mobile phones should be kept on silent during class time to maintain focus and respect for others, unless the whole class is ok with it!

• No children or extra guests are permitted in the studio unless enrolled or pre-approved.

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 and materials are included in the workshop unless stated otherwise. 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.

When working with clay, keeping your nails short makes a big difference. Long nails can unintentionally dig into the clay, leaving marks or tiny hairline cracks on the surface. While these cracks may look minor, they can weaken your piece and even cause it to break before or during the firing process in the kiln.

For the best results, I recommend trimming your nails before the workshop. This helps you shape and smooth your piece more easily and ensures it has the strength to make it safely through the drying and firing stages.

If you prefer to keep your nails long, please bring a pair of thin surgical or disposable gloves. Wearing gloves creates a barrier between your nails and the clay, reducing the risk of small cracks and keeping your pottery in better condition.

Pottery is all about enjoying the process and creating something you’ll be proud to take home. Having short nails or using gloves if your nails are long will give you the best chance of success with your piece.