Make Your Own Plant Pot & Water Catcher Pottery Workshop | September
NZ$128.00
Out of stock
Create your own hand-built plant pot with a matching water-catching saucer at Pottery Embassy.
Perfect for a bonsai, succulent or favourite indoor plant with a little character, this relaxed, beginner-friendly workshop gives you the opportunity to create a functional planter entirely by hand.
You'll receive:
400g of clay to create your plant pot.
Additional clay to create a matching water-catching saucer. The amount provided will depend on the diameter of your finished plant pot, ensuring your saucer is appropriately sized.
Guidance on creating a drainage hole so excess water can flow from the planter into the saucer below.
Using simple pinch-pot and hand-forming techniques, you'll learn how to shape your planter entirely by hand before refining the rim, surface and overall form.
You can keep your design beautifully simple and organic or give your planter more personality through texture, little feet, gentle indentations or other handmade details.
The aim is to create something that works beautifully with a plant while still showing the marks and character of the person who made it.
No pottery wheel is used, and absolutely no previous pottery experience is required.
Who This Workshop Is For
Complete beginners wanting an approachable introduction to hand-building.
Plant lovers wanting to create something special for a favourite indoor plant.
Anyone looking for a handmade pot for a bonsai, succulent or small houseplant.
Creative makers who love organic, character-filled ceramics.
Friends, couples or solo makers looking for a relaxing creative activity.
Adults and youth aged 10+.
Anyone wanting to create a functional piece of pottery they can enjoy at home.
What's Included
Each participant receives:
400g of clay for your plant pot.
Additional clay for a matching water-catching saucer, with the amount determined by the finished diameter of your planter.
Step-by-step hand-building guidance.
Guidance on creating an appropriate drainage hole.
Full use of studio hand-building tools and equipment.
Professional clear glazing by Pottery Embassy.
Two kiln firings.
Your finished hand-built plant pot and matching water-catching saucer to take home.
Please note that plants are not included in the workshop.
Because every planter is formed entirely by hand, variations in shape, texture, size and surface are part of the beauty of the finished piece.
No two plant pots will ever be exactly alike.
The 2-Hour Workshop
Please arrive 5–10 minutes early so you have time to settle in.
You'll begin with 400g of clay and be guided through the pinch-pot and hand-building process to create your planter.
We'll work on creating a balanced form with enough depth and space for a small plant while also considering drainage and the finished size of your pot.
Once your planter has taken shape, you'll create a matching water-catching saucer. You'll be provided with enough additional clay to make a saucer suitable for the diameter of the pot you've created.
We'll then refine the rim and surfaces and add any finishing touches that give your planter its personality.
You might choose to keep your pot beautifully simple or experiment with texture, finger marks, indentations, little feet or other subtle details.
The final few minutes of the workshop are spent wiping down tools and work surfaces together to maintain a clean, safe and low-dust pottery studio.
Drying & Firing
Approximately 6–8 weeks
Your plant pot and saucer will remain at Pottery Embassy after the workshop to dry naturally.
Clay drying cannot be rushed without increasing the risk of cracking, and periods of rain or high humidity may extend the drying time.
Once completely dry, your pieces will receive their first bisque firing.
Pottery Embassy will then professionally apply a commercial clear glaze before your planter and saucer return to the kiln for their final high-temperature glaze firing.
The clear glaze allows the natural colour and character of the clay—and all those beautiful handmade details—to remain visible while creating a durable ceramic finish.
Notification & Collection
We'll contact you by email or text as soon as your finished plant pot and water-catching saucer are out of the kiln and ready for collection.
Once home, all that's left to do is choose the perfect bonsai, succulent or indoor plant to complete your creation.
If you live outside the region or are unable to collect your pottery, shipping can be arranged for an additional cost.
Important Class Details
Health & Safety: Please review Pottery Embassy's Studio Guidelines & Policies before attending your workshop.
As with all handmade ceramics, slight variations and occasional unexpected results can occur during drying and firing. Clay can shrink, warp or change slightly in the kiln, meaning the finished planter and saucer may not look exactly as they did when first made.
These natural characteristics are part of the pottery-making process and are what make your finished plant pot and water catcher completely unique.
What's Included?
This is a one-off hand-building workshop, so everything you need is provided. No clay, tools or pottery equipment required—just bring yourself!
Your workshop includes:
Clay for your chosen project.
Step-by-step hand-building tuition.
Use of all studio tools and equipment.
Aprons and cleaning equipment.
Professional bisque firing, clear glazing and final glaze firing.
Your finished, food-safe ceramic piece(s).
What Do I Need to Bring?
Nothing special! We recommend a water bottle, comfortable clothes you don't mind getting clay on, and closed-toe shoes. Please tie back long hair.
Clay usually washes easily from clothing, but avoid wearing your favourites. Pottery Embassy cannot take responsibility for damaged or stained clothing.
Do I Need Short Nails?
Short nails are recommended but not essential. Longer nails can leave marks in soft clay, but hand-building is forgiving and your tutor can show you ways to work around them.
Cleaning & Studio Guidelines
We'll spend a few minutes at the end of the workshop wiping down our tools and workspaces to help maintain a clean, low-dust studio.
Please:
Arrive 5–10 minutes early.
Follow your tutor's instructions.
Keep phones silent during demonstrations.
Treat studio tools and other people's pottery with care.
Do not bring additional guests unless pre-approved or booked into the workshop.
Your pottery stays at the studio after class for drying, glazing and firing, so you don't need to transport wet pottery home.
What if My Pottery Cracks or Breaks?
Pottery is beautifully unpredictable. Despite careful making and handling, pieces can occasionally crack, warp or behave unexpectedly during drying or firing.
Pottery Embassy takes every reasonable care with your work, but we cannot guarantee every piece will survive the ceramic process. Refunds, credits or replacements cannot be provided for pieces affected during drying, glazing or firing.
These little variations and surprises are simply part of creating handmade ceramics.
When Can I Collect My Pottery?
Finished pottery generally takes 6–8 weeks.
Your piece must completely dry before receiving its first bisque firing. Pottery Embassy will then apply a clear glazebefore completing the final glaze firing.
Rain and high humidity can sometimes extend drying times, so please allow a little flexibility.
We'll contact you by email or text when your pottery is ready.
Please collect your finished work within one month of notification, as studio storage is limited. Uncollected pottery may eventually be recycled or donated.
Shipping can be arranged at an additional cost if you're unable to collect.
Cancellations & Transfers
Workshop spaces are limited and your place is reserved specifically for you.
Cancellations: A refund is available if we can fill your place. If we cannot fill it, a 20% administration fee applies.
Transfers: Requests are considered case-by-case and are subject to availability.
Please contact Pottery Embassy as early as possible if your plans change.
Want to Make More?
Loved getting your hands into clay? You can continue your pottery journey through another Pottery Embassy hand-building workshop or one of our longer pottery courses.
But for this workshop, there's nothing to buy and nothing to prepare.
Just turn up, get your hands into some clay and enjoy creating something uniquely yours.
If you can’t afford to pay for the workshop in full upfront, you’re welcome to pay it off weekly. Full payment must be completed prior to the class starting.
Message me to arrange banking details and a payment plan that works for you at 0226911883