Wheel Throwing Foundations Saturday Morning Course | 8 Weeks
NZ$399.00
Out of stock
Learn the Foundations of Wheel Throwing
Have you always wanted to learn how to make pottery on the wheel?
Our 8-Week Beginner Wheel Throwing Course is designed to give you the time, guidance and practice needed to build a strong foundation in pottery.
Over eight weeks, you’ll spend two hours in the studio each week, learning the techniques of wheel throwing in a relaxed and supportive small-group environment. You’ll be guided through each stage of the process, with demonstrations, hands-on practice and individual support as your skills develop.
Why Eight Weeks?
Wheel throwing is a skill that develops through practice.
Learning to centre clay, control your hands and create balanced forms takes time and repetition. Rather than trying to master everything in a single workshop, this course gives you the opportunity to return to the wheel each week, practise what you’ve learned and gradually build confidence.
Across 16 hours of guided studio time, you’ll begin to understand not only how to throw a pot, but how the clay responds to your hands, your movement and the speed of the wheel.
Each week builds naturally on the last, giving you time to develop muscle memory, improve your technique and experience the different stages of making pottery.
By the end of the eight weeks, you’ll have created your own collection of handmade pieces and, more importantly, developed the foundation skills and confidence to continue your pottery journey.
Is This Course For You?
This course is perfect for:
Complete beginners with no previous pottery experience.
Anyone wanting to learn wheel throwing from the foundations.
People looking for a creative and hands-on experience.
Those wanting to develop a new skill over time rather than simply trying pottery once.
Anyone who enjoys learning in a relaxed, supportive small-group environment.
No previous pottery experience is required.
What You Will Learn
Throughout the eight weeks, you’ll learn:
Preparing and wedging clay.
Understanding clay consistency.
Setting up and using the pottery wheel.
Centering clay and developing control.
Opening clay and pulling walls.
Throwing cylinders, cups and bowls.
Developing shape, proportion and consistency.
Improving wall thickness and form.
Trimming and refining your pottery.
Preparing pieces for glazing.
Applying glaze and understanding surface finishes.
Understanding the firing process.
Good studio practices for continuing your pottery journey.
There is plenty of time throughout the course to practise, ask questions and receive individual feedback.
Course Outline
Week 1 – Getting to Know Clay & the Wheel
Meet the clay, learn how to prepare it, set up your wheel and begin understanding the fundamentals of centering.
Week 2 – Your First Forms
Learn how to open centred clay, pull walls and begin creating cylinders—the foundation of many wheel-thrown forms.
Week 3 – Building Control
Continue throwing while developing better control, consistency and confidence at the wheel.
Week 4 – Exploring Shape
Begin transforming your cylinders into different forms, including cups and bowls, while learning how small movements can change a piece.
Week 5 – Developing Your Technique
Focus on proportion, wall thickness, shape and consistency while continuing to practise and refine your throwing.
Week 6 – Trimming & Refining
Learn how to trim your pottery, create foot rings and refine your pieces once they have reached the right stage of drying.
Week 7 – Glazing & Finishing
Explore glazing and surface finishing, and learn how glaze and firing transform your pottery.
Week 8 – Bringing It All Together
Put everything you’ve learned into practice, review your progress and receive guidance on how to continue developing your wheel-throwing skills beyond the course.
What’s Included
Your course fee includes:
8 weekly classes of 2 hours each.
16 hours of guided pottery tuition.
Use of pottery wheels and studio equipment.
Demonstrations and hands-on instruction.
Individual guidance and feedback throughout the course.
Clay and firing are charged separately based on your usage. This means you can choose how much clay you would like to work with and which finished pieces you would like to have fired.
My Teaching Style
My approach to teaching is influenced by Japanese and Southeast Asian pottery traditions, where I learned the importance of rhythm, body movement and developing a natural relationship with clay.
Wheel throwing isn’t only about what your hands are doing. It’s about learning how your hands, body, clay and wheel work together.
Throughout the course, I’ll demonstrate each technique before giving you plenty of time to practise at your own wheel. I’ll work with you individually, helping you understand what is happening with your clay and making small adjustments that can make a big difference to your throwing.
There is no expectation to make perfect pots.
Instead, the focus is on understanding the process, developing good techniques and becoming increasingly comfortable and confident at the wheel.
I want you to enjoy learning pottery, experiment, make mistakes, ask questions and experience the satisfaction that comes from seeing your skills develop week by week.
More Than Making a Pot
At the end of eight weeks, you’ll have more than a collection of handmade pottery.
You’ll have spent 16 hours learning and practising a new craft, developed an understanding of the pottery-making process and built a foundation of skills you can continue developing long after the course finishes.
Your first pots won’t all be perfect—and they’re not supposed to be.
Every piece teaches you something.
That’s part of what makes pottery so rewarding.
Whether you’re looking for a creative outlet, time away from a busy week, or the beginning of a lifelong interest in ceramics, this course gives you the time and support to slow down, work with your hands and discover what you can create.
Before Booking
Please take a moment to read our Student FAQ, Studio Policies and Terms & Conditions before booking.
These contain important information about what to bring, clay and firing costs, pottery collection, cancellations, payment options and studio expectations.
Your pottery journey starts here.
We look forward to welcoming you to Pottery Embassy.
What's Included?
8 weeks of hands-on pottery wheel tuition in a friendly, supportive studio.
Use of studio wheels and tools during class.
Studio hours is included. Please book with your tutor in advance
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.
Bisque and glaze firing are not included in the course fee and are charged at $10 per piece.
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).
Can I continue after this course?
Absolutely. Pottery is a skill that develops through regular practice, and many students choose to continue their learning by enrolling in another course or attending studio practice sessions. As you continue, you'll build greater confidence, refine your throwing technique, and expand your creative abilities with each class. Regular practice is one of the most rewarding ways to develop your skills and discover your own style. For those who want to make pottery a regular part of their lives, becoming a studio member is a great next step. Membership gives you the opportunity to practise independently, spend more time at the wheel, and continue developing your skills in a supportive studio community. Whether you choose another course or become a member, we encourage you to keep exploring your pottery journey and enjoy the satisfaction that comes from learning, creating, and growing 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.