You don't need a pottery wheel to make beautiful pottery

The wheel is fun, and fast, and even a little sexy. There’s nothing wrong with getting your Ghost on from time to time.

But if you want to access your creativity faster, and slow down, try a handbuilding class.

If you've ever built a sandcastle, shaped bread dough, or stacked rocks on the beach just to see if you could make them balance, you'll probably recognize the feeling of simply making something by paying attention. It’s a very satisfying, very mindful practice that allows you to breathe and become truly immersed in the creative process.

I love handbuilding because you don’t have to start with an idea in mind. Stack coils with one idea in mind, and eventually it becomes something tall, or wide, or something straight from your imagination.

Handbuilding rewards curiosity more than precision. If you decide halfway through that your bowl wants to become a planter instead, that's fine. If you add a handle, carve a pattern, or change the shape entirely, that's part of the process.

I also think handbuilding is one of the easiest ways to discover whether pottery is something you'd like to keep doing. You'll learn how clay feels in your hands, how it changes as it dries, and how a simple idea gradually becomes an object you can actually use at home — or even just appreciate as an art piece.

Some beautiful handbuilt art from our studio manager, Lizette.

At Bay Haven, we love the wheel! And we also have an entire room dedicated to handbuilding, with a slab roller, extruder, canvas-wrapped tables, and dedicated shelving. We love handbuilding, and the way it helps people tap into their creative process.

Happy handbuilders learning to roll and stack coils!

Coils allow you to stack tall, build organic shapes, and create a sense of play. Slabs can become tiles, plates, or blank canvases for templates. Pinch pots become structures, cups, or really anything your heart desires. Combine the techniques for endless opportunities for creative expression.

Looking for a low-commitment way to start? Try our coil-building class coming up. It’s a great way to learn something new, access your creativity in a new way, and maybe make some new creative friends.