The Pottery Loop

The Pottery Process

From raw clay to finished ceramic piece — how we turn creativity into something you can hold.

Has it been 2 weeks since you glazed, or 3 weeks since your 1-part class?

Wheel & Intro to Handbuilding: how your piece is finished

Note: pieces not glazed are not food safe. If you skip glazing, your wheel or handbuilt piece is bisque fired only (bare, matte clay). That's perfect for keys, trinkets and decor, but for anything you'll eat or drink from, pick one of the glazing options.

Glaze it yourself (+$15): come back for a fun BYOB glazing class and paint your own designs. Food safe and durable.
We glaze it for you (+$15): only have time for one class? We glaze your piece in the color you pick (or pick it in studio). Food safe.
No glazing (included): bisque fired only, ready for pickup about 3 weeks after class. Not food safe.

1-Part Class

Wheel and Intro to Handbuilding pieces are bisque fired and left unglazed (not food safe) unless you add glazing. Other handbuilding pieces are glazed in our cream default studio color. Ready for pickup in 3 weeks after your class.

Just trying the wheel and don't plan to use your piece for food? Unglazed is fine. If you do, we recommend adding glazing.

Multi-Part Add-On

You return to glaze your piece from our collection of 30+ food-safe glazes. Pickup 2 weeks after glazing.

Step 1 of 6

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 in our beginner-friendly intro class.
Hand-building: we focus on coil building, since it has the most versatility.
All materials and tools provided — just bring your creativity.
Workshop duration: 1-2 hours.

Step 2 of 6

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 goes from leather-hard to bone-dry before firing.

Step 3 of 6

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.

Did you take a one part class, or does your workshop have a glazing add-on? If you have a glazing add-on, the following steps apply. Otherwise your wheel or Intro to Handbuilding piece will be bisque fired and left unglazed (not food safe), or other handbuilding pieces will be glazed our neutral cream tone, and ready for pickup 3 weeks from your class date.

Step 4 of 6

Glazing

Bring Your Piece to Life

This step splits depending on your workshop:

Wheel & Intro to Handbuilding: with no glazing option, your piece is bisque fired only and left unglazed. Note: pieces not glazed are not food safe.
Staff glazing ($15): only have time for one class? We glaze your piece in the color you pick, so it's food safe with no return trip.
Food pieces like Sip Mugs and Chip & Dip Plates: 2 workshops are included (make it, then glaze it). Glazing is required; choose the glazing class or staff glazing.
Other 1-part handbuilding classes: we glaze your piece in our cream default studio color — no return trip needed.
Multi-part add-on: you have a 30-day window to return and glaze. Choose from 30+ food-safe brush glazes, learn proper application, and layer glazes for unique combinations.

Want to add glazing? You can book here.

Step 5 of 6

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 to ~2000°F.
Takes about 24-48 hours including cool-down time.

Step 6 of 6

Pickup

Take Home Your Creation

1-part class: ready for pickup 3 weeks after your class. Multi-part add-on: ready 2 weeks after you glaze. Come see your creation in its final form — a beautiful, functional ceramic piece.

1-part class: pickup 3 weeks after your workshop.
Multi-part add-on: pickup 2 weeks after glazing.
Schedule pickup at thepotteryloop.com/pickup.
Glazed pieces are food-safe and ready to use. Unglazed (bisque only) pieces are not food safe.

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

1-part wheel & Intro to Handbuilding: bisque fired, unglazed (not food safe) unless you add glazing. Other 1-part handbuilding: we glaze in cream default. Multi-part add-on: you return within 30 days to glaze from 30+ options.

Final Firing

Glaze firing after your piece is glazed.

Pickup

1-part: 3 weeks after class. Multi-part add-on: 2 weeks after glazing.

Total time: 1-part class ~3 weeks · Multi-part add-on ~4-6 weeks.

1-part class: wheel and Intro to Handbuilding pieces come back bisque fired and unglazed (not food safe) unless you add glazing; other handbuilding pieces are glazed in our cream default. Book pickup 3 weeks after your class using this link.

Multi-part add-on: book your glazing once you receive the email, then schedule pickup for 2 weeks after you glazed. Thanks!

A pottery class working at a communal studio table

Ready to start your pottery journey?

Book a workshop and experience the full process, from clay to finished piece.

Book a Workshop