Before your first wheel class…
You might have some questions! Please read this page for tips on what to wear, what to expect, and how to park.
See you soon!
Using our Hands!
We are going to be “throwing” about one pound of clay on the pottery wheel. We will be in a seated position and leaning forward.
You will want SHORT nails! Long nails will dig into the clay and cause your pieces to wobble, break, have missing chunks, etc. You can certainly come with long nails, but prepare yourself ahead of time for the frustration that comes with them!
Your hands will also be coming in contact with the wheel head. This might feel strange at first, but it is something you get used to over time. :)
I will be teaching a couple of options for hand placement. There’s 1000 ways to do it, so if it’s not working, I’ll help you find something that will.
ATTIRE!
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We have basic aprons for use at the studio! You’re welcome to bring your own. I recommend “split leg aprons,” if you’re looking for one ahead of time.
Sometimes I don’t wear aprons. A hand towel is a great alternative!
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It is totally fine to wear eye glasses. We do use water while working with the clay! Sometimes it will splash on your glasses. We recommend wearing an older pair. :)
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Wear shoes that are flat and have good grip. Pottery involves a lot of water, so shoes that will keep you upright are ideal.
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The clay we use in lessons does not stain. Don’t worry! If you get it on you, it will wash out in the laundry as normal. It’s just fancy mud!
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Not ideal!
We’re going to be leaning forward at the waist, so tight or high-waisted pants might dig in. Wear something that you feel comfortable being in a forward-leaning position while sitting down.
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Loose clothes are great! They give you flexibility in your movement and all the funky angles we’ll be using to form our clay.
HOWEVER, we don’t want to be so loose that we are getting tangled in the wheel.
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Better to leave it at home! Long necklaces, bracelets, watches, and rings can all snag clay. We don’t want those lovely things to get dirty!
HAIR
Just like very loose clothing, very long hair should be secured. The wheel is a spinning metal object with a motor that you control with a pedal. You don’t want to get your hair caught in it!
MINDSET
We’ve got a lot to cover! Class starts at the scheduled start time. Please try your best to arrive a minute or two early. If you’re late, you’ll be a little behind! There are no refunds if you miss a portion of class (or miss it). Give yourself some extra time to park and grab a drink at The Bear before class. (Yep, you can bring it over!)
TIMING
Clay is tricky and takes a while to pick up. Come to class for the journey and you’ll leave happy. Don’t place super tough expectations on yourself! You’re a baby in the clay world. It’s okay to crawl before walking.
PARKING & ARRIVING
There’s lots of FREE street parking on both Railroad & Exchange Streets! Street parking in Gorham, NH is a loose two hours—just enough time for your lesson!
There’s also parking on Main Street, but be cautioned! There are a few prickly business owners who recently petitioned the town to change parking signage. I don’t recommend parking near Flourish, Birdie’s, or Marigold for this reason! The police will/have been called because of parking there.
REMINDERS
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Kiddos age 10+ are welcome to participate in class as long as a guardian is there to supervise them!
Children not participating in class must have supervision.
However, you will get the most from this experience if you are able to focus on the clay in front of you. It takes a lot of concentration!
Only registered students are permitted on the wheels.
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It will take a couple of weeks for your piece to be ready! It must dry completely before getting fired the first time. We’ll then glaze it for you in your selected color and notify you via e-mail (and then text if we don’t hear back from ya) when it’s ready for pick up! You can come on in during our business hours and pick them up from the front room.
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Seriously!
Short nails are your friend.
Coming in for the journey and not the product is 10/10 the best path!
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In this class, we’ll explore hand-building techniques. We won’t have time to cover hand-building processes.