If you are younger than – let’s say 30 – you probably have no idea what I am referring to. If you want a refresher, check out this scene from 1990 movie Ghost… The first time I told my friends I had signed up for a pottery class at The Shop, I don’t know how many Demi Moore jokes I heard…
Clay is fascinating. Pottery is one of the oldest art forms on the planet. While the basic techniques are still the same, the shapes and colours make it very modern. Every time I go to a show like the One of a Kind Show, I am drawn to the beautiful pottery.
Also, I like hobbies that forces me to focus and concentrate on the task at end. Try to have both hands in clay while checking your emails just for fun… In the ultra busy environment we live in, finding something creative and relaxing that you have to pay full attention to is a draw for me.
So I went to my first Wheel Throwing class thinking that within a few weeks, I’d finally have the perfect set of dishes I’ve been dreaming of and can’t find anywhere… Turns out, it is much harder than it looks!
The owner Michele splits her time between managing The Shop, teaching classes and her making her personal ceramics line, Mima.
When using the studio at The Shop, all tools and equipment necessary
I opted for the 4 weeks class that was perfect for beginners. Michele patiently showed the six people in our group all the steps of wheel thrown pottery, including prepping the clay, centering, pulling up, shaping and trimming.
After I had a sense of the clay and the space, I started to visit the place on a regular basis simply by purchasing very affordable day passes.
While the process to create a piece can be long (and heartbreaking when it does not work like we expected it to…), pottery is a very satisfying art form. It can be tough when fantasy and reality collide… but the good news is that we do get better with time in the studio. Clay gives you a creative freedom to make it your own and it allows you to make it your own.
As a bonus, you’ll meet at the studio other potters from all walks of life. At The Shop, I’ve meet incredible talents like Bettina from Awesome Fortress, Vanessa from Ruby Tuesday Ceramics and Lucy Pelletier The most experienced potters are always willing to take a minute and answer the newbies’ questions.
Convinced yet? Here are a few tips to make the most out of your pottery experience:
Phoebe and a cute bowl I made
