May in the Pacific Northwest always feels like everything is waking up at once. The gardens are blooming, the days are stretching out, and there is a sense of energy that makes its way into the studio too. It is a wonderful month for trying new techniques, finishing pieces you have been working on, and simply enjoying time with clay in your hands. I am so glad you are here and I cannot wait to see what you create with us this month at Potterings.

~Lora

Potterings is turning one, and you are invited to celebrate with us on Sunday, May 31 from 12 to 4pm.

If you have ever thought about trying pottery, this is your moment. Potterings is a community clay space designed with beginners in mind. It is welcoming, hands-on, and built to help you feel comfortable from the start.

As part of the celebration, we are offering a free mini votive candle luminary class every hour. Each session is limited to just six people, so you will get plenty of guidance as you shape, build, and glaze your own piece. No experience is needed. Just come ready to try something new.

How it works:

Reserve your free ticket for a specific class time

12:00 PM Luminary Class

1:00 PM Luminary Class

2:00 PM Luminary Class

3:00 PM Luminary Class

Show up ready to get your hands in clay

Leave knowing you made something of your own

Spots are limited and expected to fill quickly. Once a class is full, it is full.

One registration per person.

If you are not able to join a class, stop by Potterings anyway! You can still be part of the day. We will have a small, limited release of ready-made luminaries, each one signed to mark our one year anniversary. 

We will also be hosting drawings throughout the event for free three-hour workshops, giving you a chance to come back and dive deeper into pottery with the support of our community.

Whether you are brand new to clay or just curious, this is a great way to step into the studio, meet the community, and experience a little pottery magic. Save the date and come celebrate with us.

Spots are limited and will fill quickly, so be sure to reserve your free seat on Eventbrite.

Save the Date! Find Your Free Pottery Mushroom in West Seattle

Potterings is again participating in the worldwide Game of Shrooms. On Saturday, June 13 starting at 8 AM, we will be hiding 25 unique, handcrafted pottery mushrooms for you, made by the Potterings co-op members, to find and keep! More on the Game of Shrooms page.

At Potterings, we try to keep things simple and thoughtful. We already recycle all of our clay, and it started to feel natural to carry that same idea into our glazing. After you finish glazing your piece, instead of rinsing that last bit of glaze off, we invite you to swipe your brush onto a shared bisque piece sitting in the studio.

It is a small gesture, but it adds up. Each person leaves a mark, a color, a layer. Over time, the piece becomes something none of us could have made on our own. It is messy in the best way and always a little surprising when it comes out of the kiln.

Once it is finished, we give it away to someone in our community. This month, congratulations to Joycelyn M., who took home our community glazed mug. For May, we are working on a bird feeder.

Next time you are in the studio glazing, add a swipe. It is a quiet way to be part of something shared, and you never know how your brushstroke will show up on the final piece.

At Potterings, one of the things that makes our studio a little different is how we handle glazing. It is often the part of pottery that feels rushed or confusing, especially for beginners. In many places, you glaze at the very end of class or are left to figure it out on your own. We do it differently here.

We include a separate brush-on glazing session in our open studio time, and it is built into the cost of all workshops, classes, and open studio visits. That means you are not left wondering what to do next or trying to remember instructions in a hurry. You come back, slow down, and actually learn how glaze works.

In these sessions, we walk through how to mix and stir glazes, how to load your brush, and how to build up even layers. We talk about how glaze changes in the kiln and what to look for as you apply it. It is a quieter part of the process, and a lot of students say it becomes one of their favorite parts once they understand it.

It also gives your work a sense of completion. You see your piece through from start to finish, from soft clay in your hands to a fully finished object ready for use. That full cycle builds confidence in a way that rushing through it just does not.

For us, glazing is not an afterthought. It is part of the making. It is where things settle, come together, and often surprise you in the best way.

Explore Clay at Your Own Pace – Open Studio Nights at Potterings $45 - Limited to four reservations per session

Join us on Wednesdays from 6 PM to 8 PM for Open Studio at Potterings! This is your chance to explore, create, and experiment with clay in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Whether you're new to pottery or looking to refine your skills, our open studio time is ideal for practicing techniques or simply having fun with clay.

Each month, we feature a seasonal piece of pottery we'll make together. It's a perfect way to start your pottery collection. Open studio time is your time to create a unique piece of pottery. You can also choose to make one of our monthly highlighted projects, or bring your own idea. We even have Pinterest Boards to help get the creativity started.

MAY - Make a flower vase

JUNE - Make a ceramic wall hanging

JULY – Make an oil diffuser

AUGUST – Make some bee flowers for thirsty bees

SEPTEMBER – Make four botanical fridge magnets

OCTOBER – Make a pumpkin luminary

NOVEMBER – Make a salt pig and spoon

DECEMBER – Make a mini Christmas tree luminary

Gift giving any time of the year couldn't be easier with a Potterings gift certificate. The certificate is great for either a workshop or open studio and rings in at an affordable $45 to $55. We customize the gift certificate and delivery via email to you or directly to the lucky recipient. 

Make a Set of Six Botanical Coasters & Holder Workshop

Sunday, May 17, 1-4 PM $55

Join us for a creative afternoon in clay as you design and craft your own set of six botanical coasters, plus a matching coaster holder. Perfect for beginners, this pottery class focuses on incorporating real leaves, flowers, and other textures to create beautiful, natural designs in your work.

You’ll learn how to roll and cut clay slabs, apply botanical textures, and construct a simple, stylish holder to keep your coaster set neatly stored. All tools and materials are included, and you’ll get to choose from a variety of glaze options to personalize your finished pieces.

Schedule some creative time during one of the upcoming Potterings workshops:

Sunday, April 12 1-4 PM $50 Make a Travel Mug

Sunday, May 15 1-4 PM $55 Make Six Botanical Coasters and Matching Holder

Sunday, June 4 1-4 PM $50 Make a Garlic and Herb Bowl

Sunday, July 12 1-4 PM $55 Make a Cup & Plate (pictured)

Saturday, August 8 1-4:30 PM $55 Make a Patterned Mug

Saturday, August 29 1-4:30 PM $55 Make a Berry Mug 

Beginner Skill Builder Tip: Working with Underglazes

Underglazes are a great way to add color and detail to your clay before it is glazed. Use them on leather hard or bisque-fired pieces, depending on the look you want. Stir well before using, then apply with a brush in thin, even layers. One coat will give you a soft, transparent look, while multiple coats will build up richer, more solid color. You can also paint details or layer colors for more depth. Let each layer dry before adding more.