Pots for the Garden

All levels of clay experience are welcome!

Garden Gnomes & Bird Homes: A Whimsical 6-Week Pottery Class 🌱🐦

Celebrate spring in the studio by creating pottery made especially for the garden and the birds that visit it. In this playful six-week class, we’ll explore how wheel throwing and hand - building techniques can work together, allowing you to create more complex and imaginative forms. Each week builds on the idea that the wheel can create the base form, while hand - building brings personality, detail, and sculptural charm.

In week one, we’ll throw a cylinder on the wheel and then alter it by collaring the form into an egg shape to create ceramic birdhouses. We’ll add hand built details like hanging eyes for hooks, decorative openings, or braided rope hangers.

In week two, we’ll create bird feeders by throwing a tall cylinder and then carving and hand-shaping a channel (or mote) at the base for bird seed. Students will also hand build and fit a lid, and add openings for a metal rod or rope so the feeder can hang outdoors.

During week three, we’ll focus on garden stakes for herbs and vegetables. These can be thrown or hand built, giving you a chance to practice making tall, slender forms on the wheel while refining and shaping them by hand.

By week four, students can refine their earlier pieces or try something delightfully playful—garden gnomes! We’ll throw short, squat forms on the wheel and then alter them with hand built additions like pointed hats, noses, and expressive features.

The final two weeks are all about expanding your creativity. You’ll continue combining wheel-thrown forms with hand built elements, refining earlier projects, and adding details that make your pieces unique. By the end of the class, you’ll have a collection of handmade pottery ready to bring charm and whimsy to your garden.

Come get your hands muddy, experiment with new techniques, and make pottery that celebrates the magic of spring. 🌸🏺

Ideal For:

First-time throwers eager to learn the wheel
Returning students ready to try something different
Anyone who loves pottery, gardening, and creating handmade pieces that bring personality to outdoor spaces.

Includes:

25 lbs of clay
6 weeks Studio Access
2 weeks after class ends to finish all work
Open Studio time outside of class to practice and explore

Students will meet for 2.5 hr, once a week for six weeks. You will be able to progress at your own speed and instruction will be catered to your particular skill level.

The class must have 6 people to run.

Be sure to wear old clothes or bring a apron and towel. Basic beginner pottery tools can be purchased here for $15. If you have any questions about the class, please email Delores at infodelorespottery@gmail.com

Students must be 18 years or older. Some exceptions can be made. Contact Delores with requests before registering your child.

We do not offer personal make up days since all of our classes are full.Typically instructors repeat lessons so if you miss one week you'll have the demo next time. We also offer open studio, access to the studio on the weekends and some weekday options for students to come in and practice.