Intro to Hand-Building

$425 Per Person — Ages 18 and up

Ages 16–18 may participate with prior approval. Please contact info@taoofclay.com for more information.

This 6-week course is designed for those looking to slow down and connect with the tactile, meditative process of working with clay. Rather than using the potter’s wheel, you’ll learn hand-building techniques rooted in tradition—coil building, slab construction, and Kurinuki, an expressive hand-carving technique.

The course emphasizes a more analogue, hands-on approach to making—ideal for those who want to work at a slower pace and develop a deeper understanding of the material through touch and intuition. You’ll learn to shape clay from the ground up using only your hands and a few simple tools.

We’ll also cover basic surface design and offer an introduction to glazing, so you’ll finish the course with pieces that are both expressive and functional.

Whether you’re new to clay or returning to the medium with a fresh perspective, this course is a welcoming place to explore the fundamentals and develop your own creative voice.

Level: Beginner

Prerequisite: No prior experience is necessary. Open to all skill levels.

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Tools & Materials: We provide clay, glaze, sponges, buckets, and storage for students enrolled in this class. Please note that tools are not included—students are required to bring their own.

We recommend bringing a needle tool, wooden knife, your preferred throwing ribs, and trimming tools. A curated selection of our favorite tools, as well as beginner tool kits for throwing and hand-building, are available for purchase in our on-site shop.

Required Tool List:

• Fork
• knife (a cheap pairing knife works well)
• Metal Rib
• Serrated metal rib
• flexible plastic rib (optional)
• Wooden Paddle (optional)
• Trimming Tool (optional, we recommend Kemper Pro-line or equivalent)

Firing: The class fee includes firing for up to 5 pieces. Additional pieces may be fired at our standard rate of $3/lb.

Studio Access: As a student, you’ll have access to the studio outside of class hours to practice and develop your skills further!

*Please note: The studio is occasionally closed for events. Be sure to check our studio calendar online for any updates or closures affecting open hours.

We reserve the right to cancel the class due to low enrollment or for other necessary reasons.

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Cancellation Policy:

Please note that all registrations are final, and we are unable to offer refunds for cancellations.

Missed Classes:

We do not offer refunds or make-up classes. If you need to miss a class, our staff will do their best to help you catch up during the next session or open studio hours.

Questions? Email info@taoofclay.com.