Tag: Handbuilding

  • From Coil to Creation: Step-by-Step Pottery Techniques for Beautiful Forms

    From Coil to Creation: Step-by-Step Pottery Techniques for Beautiful Forms

    Coil building is one of the most approachable and rewarding handbuilding techniques in pottery. With just your hands and a few simple tools, you can transform rolled ropes of clay into bowls, vessels, and sculptural forms full of character. This guide walks you through the fundamentals of rolling even coils,…

  • Why Your Pottery Cracks While Drying (and How to Prevent It)

    Why Your Pottery Cracks While Drying (and How to Prevent It)

    Drying is one of the most overlooked steps in pottery, and it’s often where cracks and warping begin. For beginners, understanding how clay dries and learning how to slow the process can make the difference between a successful piece and one that never makes it to the kiln. This guide…

  • The Magic (and Science!) of Glaze in an Electric Kiln

    Learn how raw glaze transforms into glossy glass at Cone 5, why oxidation firing creates vibrant colors, and the science behind glazes.

  • The Art of Patience: Why Slow Drying is Your Pottery’s Best Friend

    The Art of Patience: Why Slow Drying is Your Pottery’s Best Friend

    There’s one golden rule that can make or break your pottery: slow drying. It might be tempting to rush your freshly sculpted masterpiece from the handbuilding table straight into a warm, airy spot. After all, you’re excited to see it fired, right? However, for beginning potters especially, understanding the critical…

  • Master the Rib: Your Best Pottery Tool for Potters

    Master the Rib: Your Best Pottery Tool for Potters

    Today, I want to shine a spotlight on one of the most unassuming yet incredibly powerful tools in your kit: the pottery rib. For many beginning potters, the rib might seem like just a flat piece of wood or rubber. But trust me, once you understand its potential, it will…

  • Discover the Joy of Clay with Potterings: Seattle’s Most Affordable Pottery Experience

    Discover the Joy of Clay with Potterings: Seattle’s Most Affordable Pottery Experience

    If you’ve ever dreamed of shaping clay into something beautiful with your own hands, Potterings in West Seattle offers the perfect opportunity to bring that vision to life. Specializing in beginner-friendly, small-group pottery classes, Potterings provides a welcoming and creative environment for all aspiring beginning potters. What Makes Potterings Unique?…

  • Pinch Pots, Bubble Glazing & More Potterings Studio Grand Opening

    Pinch Pots, Bubble Glazing & More Potterings Studio Grand Opening

    Potterings Studio Grand Opening May 2 & 3, 2025 – A Creative Space for Beginner Potters! Have you ever dreamed of trying pottery but weren’t sure how to start? Maybe you’ve seen beautiful handmade mugs or whimsical plant pots and thought, “Could I make that?” The answer is YES —…

  • Discover the Joy of Pottery: Why Open Studio Nights Are Perfect for Beginners

    Life gets busy. Between work, family, and everything in between, it’s easy to put creativity on the back burner. But what if you could carve out just two hours a week to reconnect with your artistic side— for the love of just pure creative joy? That’s exactly what our Open…

  • Make a Berry Bowl on Alki Beach

    Make a Berry Bowl on Alki Beach

    Discover the Art of Pottery with Potterings! Saturday, June 14 10 am to 1 pm Affordable $40 per student SOLD OUT! This summer, immerse yourself in the world of clay just steps from the water at Alki Beach. In our Pottering series, designed for beginners, you’ll learn to craft simple…

  • How to Make a Pottery Mug Handle: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginner Potters

    How to Make a Pottery Mug Handle: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginner Potters

    Introduction: One of the most essential and satisfying aspects of pottery is creating a functional, beautiful mug with a handle that fits just right. Whether you’re a seasoned potter or just starting out, learning how to attach a handle to your pottery mug is a crucial skill. In this step-by-step…