Explore the world of clay at our handbuilding pottery studio located at 3400 Harbor Ave, Alki Beach in West Seattle, WA. The Pottering series is designed for beginner potters who enjoy learning how to create simple, yet functional ceramics. You will learn various techniques, including rolling, forming, smoothing, pinch pots, and glazing.
The workshops and classes are limited to six students to maintain a hands-on and immersive experience. Experience the world of pottery by yourself or bring some friends. You will be a part of the pottery community of creators as we explore the medium together.
All workshops and classes include optional glazing open studio time to glaze your creation at no extra charge. See the Potterings calendar for the schedule.
Your creations will be fired in the kiln. You will pick up your finished piece 4 weeks after the class. The Pottering instructor will email you when your piece is ready. Please pick up your piece within 21 days of the email. Have questions? Answers on the FAQ page.
Upcoming Workshops Winter & Spring 2026
Give the gift of creativity by ordering a custom gift certificate. Increments in $45 (open studio), $50, or $55 (workshop). The recipient will book their session. The gift certificate will be emailed to you as a PDF. Payment through Venmo or PayPal, with a quick 48 hr turnaround.
Open Studio
Wednesdays from 6-8 PM $45
Need creative time? Join our weekly Open Studio—$45 includes everything, guidance, materials, and kiln firings.
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 an experienced potter looking to make a piece of pottery, our open studio time is ideal for practicing techniques or simply having fun with clay.
Limited to four students per open studio to ensure plenty of individual instructor time.
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.
Insider tip: Want to do your own thing? Bring a couple of pottery ideas from the Potterings Pinterest boards for inspiration.
FEBRUARY – Make a pair of friendship or couple plates
MARCH – Make four pieces of clay jewelry (necklace/bracelet/earrings)
APRIL – Make a bird feeder
MAY – Make a domed flower vase
Just curious about Potterings? Feel free to drop in and take a look around—no charge.
Reserve your spot by paying in advance through Eventbrite, or pay via Venmo on the day of the session.
Make a Patterned Mug Workshop
Sunday, February 8, 11:00 AM-2:30 PM (Go Seahawks!) $55 3 1/2 hours SOLD OUT!
Sunday, March 22, 1-4:30 PM $55 3 1/2 hours SOLD OUT!
Saturday, August 8, 1-4:30 PM $55 3 1/2 hours
Looking for a creative way to unwind and make something beautiful (and functional!) with your hands? Join us for this Patterned Mug Workshop (expanded to 3.5 hrs in 2026), where you’ll learn how to build and decorate your custom ceramic mug from scratch—no pottery experience required!
What to Expect
This beginner-friendly pottery class focuses on slab-building techniques, where you’ll use rolled clay to shape and form a mug that’s uniquely yours. You get creative with patterned textures, stamps, and carving tools to decorate the surface. We’ll show you the best way to make a shape into a handle.
You’ll also have the option to select glaze colors to give your mug a personalized, professional finish. After we fire and glaze your piece in the studio kiln, it’ll be food-safe, dishwasher-safe, and handmade by you.
What’s Included:
All clay, tools, materials, and glaze
Hands-on instruction from start to finish
Kiln firing of your finished mug
A warm, supportive studio environment
What to Bring:
Your favorite drink and a snack
Optional: An apron
Why You’ll Love It
There’s something incredibly satisfying about sipping coffee or tea from a mug you made yourself. Whether you’re looking for a creative outlet, a fun date idea, or a thoughtful handmade gift, this workshop is the perfect place to start.
Reserve by purchasing an Eventbrite ticket or emailing us with your name and workshop/date. Limited to six students. We take Venmo or PayPal after the class.
Make a Luminary Workshop
Saturday, February 21, 1-4 PM $50 SOLD OUT!
Sunday, July 26, 1-4 PM $50
One of our most popular classes!
Reminiscent of the night sky, your handmade luminary emanates a soft glow when lit with a candle. Join us for a cozy and creative afternoon of pottery as we craft beautiful ceramic luminaries, perfect for adding a warm glow to your home or garden! This workshop is designed for beginners who want to enjoy the magic of working with clay in a fun and welcoming space.
Once finished, your luminary will be glazed and fired in the kiln, ready to bring a soft, flickering light to your space.
Small & Cozy Class: Limited to 6 students for plenty of hands-on guidance. Come solo for a peaceful, hands-on experience or bring a friend to share in the creative fun. You’ll be part of a warm pottery community, learning and exploring together.
What’s Included: Clay, tools, glazing, kiln firing, and step-by-step guidance
What to Bring: Snacks and your favorite drinks
Optional: An apron
As with all Pottering classes, you will have the option to glaze your luminary. It’s a unique option that extends your creative project. Get your hands in the clay and create something truly special. We can’t wait to see you there!
Reserve by purchasing an Eventbrite ticket or emailing us with your name and workshop/date. Limited to 6 students. We take Venmo or PayPal after the class.
Make a Butter Dish Workshop
Make a Butter Dish That’s Beautiful and Functional
Saturday, March 7, 1–4 PM $55
You’ve been looking for a creative outlet, something hands-on, relaxing, and satisfying. Maybe you’ve even wanted to try pottery but weren’t sure where to start.
Join us for a beginner-friendly handbuilding class where you’ll create your very own ceramic butter dish, designed to fit both European and American-sized butter. You’ll learn how to work with clay, roll slabs, build forms, and shape a lid that fits just right. With step-by-step guidance and a welcoming studio environment, you’ll gain the confidence to create something beautiful and useful with your own two hands.
We’ll fire and glaze your piece with a food-safe finish, ready for you to pick up in about three to four weeks, just in time to impress at your next brunch or holiday table.
By the end of this workshop, you’ll have:
✔️ A handmade ceramic butter dish that fits your style
✔️ New pottery skills you can build on
✔️ The satisfaction of creating something lasting and practical
All materials, tools, and firing are included.
Class size is limited, ensuring that everyone receives ample personal instruction.
Reserve by purchasing an Eventbrite ticket or emailing us with your name and workshop/date. Limited to six students. We take Venmo or PayPal after the class.
Make a Travel Mug Workshop
Sunday, April 12, 1-4 PM $50
Saturday, May 9, 1-4 PM $50 (perfect Mother’s Day gift)
Sip on the go with style.
Imagine drinking your favorite beverage from something you made with your own two hands.
Join us for a fun and creative handbuilding pottery workshop where you’ll design and build your very own ceramic travel mug from start to finish! You want something meaningful, something that feels like you.
Small & Cozy Class: Limited to 6 students for plenty of hands-on guidance. Come solo for a peaceful, hands-on experience or bring a friend to share in the creative fun. You’ll be part of a warm pottery community, learning and exploring together.
What’s Included: Clay, tools, glazing, kiln firing, and step-by-step guidance
What to Bring: Snacks and your favorite drinks
Optional: An apron
All of Pottering’s workshops include your option to glaze your piece, or you choose the glaze and we’ll do the work for you. Your finished mug will be ready for pick-up four weeks after class. We’ll email you when it’s ready.
Reserve by purchasing an Eventbrite ticket or emailing us with your name and workshop/date. We take Venmo or PayPal after the class.
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.
What You’ll Learn:
Basic slab-building techniques
Imprinting with botanical textures
Assembling functional pottery forms
Creative glazing choices
What’s Included: Clay, tools, instruction, glazing, and firing
What to Bring: Snacks and your favorite drink
Optional: An apron
Your handmade coasters and holder will be ready for pickup three weeks after class—we’ll email you when it’s ready!
Reserve by purchasing an Eventbrite ticket or emailing us with your name and workshop/date. Limited to 6 students. We take Venmo or PayPal after the class.
Make a Garlic 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!
Small & Cozy Class: Limited to 6 students for plenty of hands-on guidance. Come solo for a peaceful, hands-on experience or bring a friend to share in the creative fun. solo for a relaxing afternoon, or bring a friend to share the fun. You’ll be part of a warm, welcoming pottery community, learning and creating together.
What’s Included: Clay, tools, instruction, glazing, and firing
What to Bring: Snacks and your favorite drink
Optional: An apron
Your handmade garlic grater & herb bowl will be ready for pickup three weeks after class—we’ll email you when it’s ready!
Reserve by purchasing an Eventbrite ticket or emailing us with your name and workshop/date. Limited to 6 students. We take Venmo or PayPal after the class.
Read more about bisque firing in my blog post.
Make a Cup and Plate Workshop
Create a Beverage Cup and Plate
Sunday, July 12, 1-4 PM $55
Make something beautiful, and functional, with your own two hands.
In this beginner-friendly pottery class, you’ll create a matching ceramic cup and plate set that’s perfect for morning coffee or anytime of the day. We’ll guide you step-by-step through the handbuilding process in our beginner-friendly studio.
Whether you’re looking to try something new, craft a unique gift, or simply enjoy a peaceful, creative escape, this workshop is for you.
In This Workshop, You’ll Learn:
- How to roll and shape clay slabs
- How to build functional pottery by hand
- How to add a handle and personalize your pieces
- How to choose a glaze that fits your style
What’s Included:
- Clay, tools, and materials
- Glazing and two kiln firings
- Expert instruction and one-on-one guidance
- A welcoming studio environment with a max of 6 students
What to Bring:
- An apron or clothes you don’t mind getting a little muddy (optional)
- Your creativity and curiosity
- A snack or drink if you’d like
Your finished, food-safe cup and plate will be ready for pickup approximately 3-4 weeks after class.
Reserve by purchasing an Eventbrite ticket or emailing us with your name and workshop/date. Limited to six students. We take Venmo or PayPal after the class.
Make a Berry Mug Workshop
Saturday, August 29 from 1-4:30 PM $55
Trending on Etsy! In this beginner-friendly pottery workshop, you’ll create your own 20oz ceramic berry mug, a functional piece perfect for rinsing fresh berries.
In this relaxed, supportive studio class, we’ll walk you step-by-step through building a handled berry mug using simple slab-building techniques. No pottery experience needed.
We’ll guide you with:
- Forming a smooth, sturdy cylinder from rolled clay slabs
- Shaping and attaching a comfortable, balanced handle
- Creating and attaching the perforated strainer
- Designing a clean pour spout so water drains easily
- Adding surface texture or carved details for that handmade Etsy-style charm
Once your piece is complete, you have the option of returning to glaze your berry mug or opt for Potterings to glaze your creation (you pick the colors).
Your finished berry mug will be ready for pickup about four weeks after class.
What’s Included: Clay, tools, glazing, kiln firing, and step-by-step guidance
What to Bring: Your favorite snacks and drinks
Optional: An apron
Spots are limited, and this is a perfect workshop for friends, date afternoons, or anyone craving a creative reset. Come get your hands in clay and make something you’ll use (and love) for years.
Reserve by purchasing an Eventbrite ticket or emailing us with your name and workshop/date. Limited to six students. We take Venmo or PayPal after the class.
Make a Matcha Set Using the Kurinuki Method
Sunday, September 13, from 1-4 PM $55
Slow down, dig in, and discover a form hidden inside the clay.
In this hands-on workshop, we’ll explore kurinuki, a traditional Japanese carving technique where vessels are hollowed from solid blocks of clay. Historically connected to the tea ceremony, kurinuki celebrates natural texture, tool marks, and the beauty of imperfection as each piece is shaped as much by intuition as by plan.
With step-by-step guidance, you’ll carve a complete handmade matcha set:
One matcha bowl (chawan)
One companion cup (yunomi style)
One whisk holder (chasen-tate)
We’ll focus on hollowing, refining form, carving expressive surfaces, and shaping a foot ring that lifts and balances each piece. The whisk holder will be designed to gently support and dry a bamboo whisk while visually tying your set together.
This technique is satisfying and beginner-friendly, while still offering lots of depth for experienced makers.
What’s Included: Clay, tools, instruction, glazing, and 2 kiln firings
What to Bring: Snacks and your favorite drink
Optional: An apron
Included in all Potterings classes is the option to come back and glaze your pieces during a Glazing Open Studio session. Or, you may opt for Potterings to glaze the pieces for you. The process takes about four weeks.
Reserve by purchasing an Eventbrite ticket or emailing us with your name and workshop/date. Limited to 6 students. We take Venmo or PayPal after the class.
Read more about the Kurinuki method.
Sustainable Practices & Member of the Seattle Good Business Network
At Potterings, zero waste isn’t just a goal—it’s our foundation. We source all our materials, including clay and glazes, locally from Seattle and Tacoma to reduce transportation impact and support our regional economy. Every bit of clay is reused: scraps, trimmings, and even dried-out pieces are carefully reclaimed, slaked down, and returned to use. Our glazes are also repurposed. This closed-loop system is at the heart of our circular studio practice. By refusing to send anything to landfill, we uphold a strict zero-waste commitment—ensuring that nothing is wasted, and everything has value.
New Workshops & Classes
Have an idea!? Are you an artist who wants to collaborate? We are always interested in working with a wide range of visual artists. Email us with a suggestion.
Studio Workshops
Try It! One Session
Oil Diffuser
Bird Feeder
Trio of Natural Rock Tide Pool Bowls
Bell Flower Wind Chimes
Set of Six Botanical Coasters w/holder
Wrapped & Patterned Mug
Butter Dish
Paper Towel Holder
Mug and Plate
Studio Classes
Two Sessions
Coffee Pourover & Mug
Matcha Bowl and Whisk Holder
Tray and Two Cozy Cups
Student Favorites
Returning Workshops
Botanical Bowl
Luminary
Egg Carton
Garlic Grater
Travel Mug
Glazing Workshops
Glazing Magic
Glaze with Bubbles
Glaze with Drippy Slip
Monoprinting w/Underglaze