Friday, October 30, 2026 | 6:00–8:00 PM (2 hours)
Instructor: Kayla Rich
Kick off your weekend with your hands in the clay! Hand-Built Bowls is a relaxed, one-night pottery class where you’ll learn to make your own functional clay bowls without a wheel, using just your hands and a few simple tools.
You’ll start with a quick introduction to clay, how to prepare it and what you’ll be making. Then you’ll learn slab rolling: how to roll clay into smooth, even sheets that can be cut, shaped and built into just about anything.
Next comes the fun part: turning a flat slab into a bowl! Using a template, you’ll cut your clay into shape, then score and join the edges to bring the sides up into a beautiful, curved bowl. You’ll smooth the seams, refine the rim and add texture or decorative details to make each bowl your own. You can add holes and make it a berry bowl!
Along the way, you’ll get hands-on guidance and tips, and plenty of time to play, experiment and make each piece your own. There’s no pressure to be perfect. Handmade is supposed to look handmade!
After class, our staff will take care of the glazing and kiln firing, so all you have to do is come back to pick up your finished bowls in December (we’ll email you when its ready). You’ll have the option of clear or green as the final color.
By the end of the evening, you’ll leave with new skills, a fun Friday night out, and up to two handmade bowls on their way to becoming pottery you can use and enjoy at home, perfect for snacks, trinkets, salads or serving.
Please note: Finished pieces need time to dry and go through kiln firing, and will be ready for pickup in December. This means they might not be ready by Christmas, so you’ll be able to keep your work and gift the experience of coming back to create with your friends and family instead.
What you’ll make: Up to two handmade slab-built bowls, including: (1) bowls cut from a template and shaped by hand, (2) smooth, joined seams and a refined rim, (3) and your choice of texture or decorative details.
What you’ll learn:
Clay basics: wedging, preparing and handling clay
Rolling even clay slabs
Cutting slabs using a bowl template
Scoring and joining edges to form a bowl shape
Smoothing seams and refining the rim
Adding texture and decorative details
How the glazing and firing process works
Skill level: Beginner. No previous experience required.
Age restriction: 14+ years.
Who's this class for: Beginners, date nights, friends, families, teens, adults, and anyone looking for a creative way to spend the evening.
Food & drink policy: Non-alcoholic drinks are welcome as long as they are in a container with a lid. No food.
What to bring/ wear: All class materials and aprons will be provided. Wear comfortable clothes you don't mind getting muddy, and tie back long hair. Short fingernails make working with clay easier!
Class size: This class needs at least 4 students to run and is limited to 12 students max. If minimum enrollment isn't met, we'll let you know and give you a full refund.
NOTE: Due to kiln shipping delays, our kiln will not be here until late November. We’ll be firing around the clock to catch-up, but expect delays in getting your piece. We’ll ask students that are not in a rush to please inform the staff so we can better prioritize firing.