The Pottery Process
From raw clay to finished ceramic piece - discover how we transform creativity into beautiful, functional pottery.
Making Your Piece
Wheel or Hand-Building
Making Your Piece
Wheel or Hand-Building
Start your creative journey by choosing your method! Whether you're throwing on the wheel or hand-building, this is where your unique piece begins to take shape. Workshops typically last 1-2 hours.
- Wheel throwing: Learn to center clay and pull walls to create bowls, mini cups, or mini vases. We focus on beginner friendly options in our intro class.
- Hand-building: We only go over coil building as it has the most versatility.
- All materials and tools provided - just bring your creativity!
- Workshop duration: 1-2 hours
Drying
Patience is Key
Drying
Patience is Key
After you've shaped your piece, it needs time to dry slowly and evenly. This crucial step reduces the chance of cracking or breaking during firing. We handle this carefully in our studio.
- Pieces dry slowly over 5-7 days to prevent cracking
- Your piece will be leather-hard, then bone-dry before firing
Bisque Firing
First Fire
Bisque Firing
First Fire
Your dried piece goes into the kiln for its first firing at low-fire temperature (around 1828°F/998°C). This bisque firing transforms the clay into a durable, porous ceramic that's ready for glazing.
- Fired to low-fire temperature (~1828°F/998°C)
- Makes the clay hard and porous - perfect for glazing
- Takes about 24-48 hours including cool-down time
Glazing
Bring Your Piece to Life
Glazing
Bring Your Piece to Life
This is where the magic happens! You have a 30-day window to return and glaze your bisque-fired piece. Choose from our collection of 30+ food-safe, stable brush glazes.
- 30-day window to return and glaze your piece
- Choose from 30+ food-safe brush glazes
- Learn proper application techniques for smooth, even coverage
- Layer glazes to create unique color combinations
- All glazes are stable and food-safe for functional pieces
Final Firing
The Transformation
Final Firing
The Transformation
Your glazed piece goes back into the kiln for the final firing. The glaze melts and fuses to the bisque, creating a beautiful, glossy finish. This is when your piece truly comes to life!
- Glazed pieces fired again ~2000 degrees F
- Takes about 24-48 hours including cool-down time
Pickup
Take Home Your Creation
Pickup
Take Home Your Creation
All pieces are ready for pickup 2 weeks after glazing. Come see your creation in its final form - a beautiful, functional ceramic piece made entirely by you.
- All pieces are ready for pickup 2 weeks after glazing
- Schedule pickup here at potteryloop.com/pickup
- Your piece is food-safe and ready to use!
Timeline Overview
Workshop Day
Create your piece (1-2 hours)
Drying Period
5-7 days for proper drying
Bisque Firing
First firing (~1 week after drying)
Glazing
30-day window to return, or we glaze for single-part workshops
Final Firing
Glaze firing after your piece is glazed
Pickup
~2 weeks after glazing - your piece is ready!
Total Time: Approximately 4-6 weeks from creation to pickup
It's very difficult to update each piece individually at every step of the process. We ask that you book your glazing once you receive the email and schedule your pickup using this link for 2 weeks after you glazed.
If we glazed for you, then you can use that same link to book pickup 3 weeks after your class. Thanks!
Ready to Start Your Pottery Journey?
Book a workshop and experience the full process from clay to finished ceramic piece!
Book a Workshop