Hi friends, Lora here. June is one of my favorite months in the studio. The days are longer, the doors are open, and there is a little extra creative energy in the air. This month feels especially exciting because on June 13, Potterings will be joining the worldwide Game of Shrooms mushroom hunt.

The Potterings members will be hiding 25 handmade ceramic mushrooms out in the community for people to discover, collect, and enjoy. It is such a fun reminder that pottery can bring unexpected moments of joy into everyday life. Whether you are joining us for workshops, open studio, or the hunt itself, I am so grateful to spend another creative month together here in West Seattle.

A huge thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate Potterings turning one this past Sunday. What started as a small idea for a beginner friendly clay space has grown into a creative little community that means so much to me, and seeing the studio full of people all day was something I will not forget anytime soon.

The luminary classes were packed with first time potters, returning students, friends, and lots of laughter. There is something really special about watching someone realize they can make something with clay, even if they walked in saying they were “not artistic.” That happened over and over again throughout the day.

Thank you to everyone who reserved a spot, entered the workshop drawings, selected a free anniversary luminary, or simply stopped in to celebrate with us. Every conversation, kind word, and shared moment helped make the day feel warm and memorable.

Congratulations to Anna V. the winner of the workshop raffle!

Potterings would not exist without this community. Truly. Thank you for supporting a small studio, for bringing your creativity into the space, and for making this first year better than I ever imagined. I am so excited for everything we will make together in year two.

Saturday, June 13 8am to 2pm. Potterings is again participating in the worldwide Game of Shrooms. 

There will be 25 handcrafted pottery mushrooms, each made by the Potterings co-op members, hidden around iconic West Seattle locations. Water taxi? Hamilton Viewpoint? Who knows! Will you be one of the lucky finders?

This is super family-friendly and FREE!

We are delighted to be a part of Game of Shrooms again this year! It’s a fantastic way to connect with our community, spread a little joy, and share our love for pottery. We’ve poured a lot of heart into creating these mushrooms, and we can’t wait for them to find their new homes.

More on Game of Shrooms here.

This month, congratulations to Kelsie, who will take home our community glazed bird feeder. Over the past few weeks, students and members slowly covered it in leftover glaze brushstrokes after finishing their own pieces. Little by little, the bird feeder filled up with color, texture, and layers that nobody could have planned ahead of time.

That is honestly what makes these community pieces so fun. One person adds a soft blue glaze, someone else brushes on a bright green, another person leaves behind a streak of speckled white. It all builds on itself until the kiln opens and suddenly there is this completely one of a kind piece sitting there that the whole studio helped create together.

Even the people who only added one quick swipe become part of it. 

So next time you are glazing at Potterings, add your brushstroke to the next community piece before you clean up. It only takes a second, and it is always exciting seeing how everyone’s colors and marks come together in the end.

June Community Glazed Item: Travel Tumbler!

P.S. Kelsie is a Potterings super student! She's made a wide array of pottery including egg cartons (she owns a chicken feed company), a pair of 'love' plates she made for a wedding gift, a mug and tumbler (made by her husband). We were excited to give Kelsie this month's item! 

Bird feeder before the final glaze fire.

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.

JUNE - Make a ceramic wall hanging (great for kids too 8 years old +)

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 (makes a fun Christmas gift)

DECEMBER – Make a mini Christmas tree luminary

This June, our open studio project is all about making a ceramic wall hanging. It is a really approachable, hands-on project and perfect for beginning potters or anyone just wanting to try something new.

We especially love this one for younger makers too, kids 8 and up are welcome, and it is a great way to spend a creative two hours together in the studio. You’ll get to play with clay, shape simple forms, add texture and pattern, and put it all together into something you can hang at home when it is finished.

It is relaxed, a little playful, and a great way to just enjoy time in the studio without any pressure.

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 Garlic Grater and Herb Bowl Workshop

Sunday, June 14, 1-4 PM $50

Get ready for a fun and creative afternoon of pottery as we craft a beautiful garlic grater and herb bowl—perfect for summer salads and fresh flavors! This hands-on workshop is designed for beginners, so no experience is needed—just bring your love for creativity and good food!

Your finished piece will be food-safe, dishwasher-safe, and perfect for adding fresh zest to your cooking!

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

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 

Skill Tip: Drying Greenware Under Plastic

When you are drying greenware, slowing things down is your best friend. One of the easiest ways to control drying is to loosely cover your piece with plastic so the moisture can escape slowly and evenly. A great trick is to use clear drycleaning bags since they are large, lightweight, and let you see your work without lifting the plastic.

Start by tenting the bag over your piece instead of sealing it tight (unless you are keeping it at the damp greenware stage for future refinement). As your clay begins to firm up, you can gradually open the bag more over a few days (or weeks if the piece is thick). This helps prevent cracking, warping, and uneven drying, especially with handbuilt forms like slabs and coils.

The goal is slow, even drying from all sides so your piece stays strong and ready for the kiln.