So, you’ve decided to get your hands dirty and dive into pottery. What an exciting step! Pottery is not only a creative outlet but also a calming, rewarding process where you shape clay into something uniquely yours. Now comes the important question: where should you begin?

The two most common approaches to pottery are hand-building and wheel-throwing. Each method has its own charm, techniques, and learning curve, and deciding between them can feel both exciting and a little overwhelming.

Pot Studios is here to guide you in choosing the class that matches your style. This guide will make it easy to discover whether hand-building or wheel-throwing is right for you.

Hand Building Pottery Classes

Hand building is one of the oldest pottery techniques in the world. As the name suggests, it’s all about shaping clay with your hands, without the use of a potter’s wheel. This method allows you to get creative and experiment with different shapes, textures, and sizes.

The main techniques used in hand building are:

Pinching – You take a ball of clay and pinch it between your fingers to form bowls, cups, or other simple shapes.
Coiling – Long, snake-like rolls of clay are stacked and smoothed to build vessels like vases or planters.
Slab Building – Clay is rolled out flat and cut into shapes, then assembled to make boxes, tiles, or creative sculptures.

Hand building is ideal for beginners because it doesn’t require mastering the wheel. You can start making beautiful pottery from your very first class.

Why Choose Hand-Building Pottery?

Beginner-friendly – You don’t need prior experience to start.
Creative freedom – Great for sculptural, textured, or experimental designs.
Slower pace – Gives you time to enjoy the process without rushing.
Family-friendly – Kids and adults alike can enjoy hand-building together.

Want to get creative with clay? Hand-building pottery workshops at Pot Studios are perfect for anyone who enjoys artistic expression, experimentation, and attention to detail. The focus is on creativity and unique forms rather than speed or perfect symmetry

Tip: Learn basic methods, pinching, coiling, and slab building, to understand clay’s behavior. These foundations are taught step by step in our pottery workshops, helping you confidently progress to advanced shapes.

Wheel Throwing Pottery Classes

Wheel throwing, on the other hand, involves using a potter’s wheel to shape your clay. This technique allows you to create smooth, round pottery like bowls, cups, plates, and vases. The wheel spins the clay while you shape it with your hands and tools, giving your pieces symmetry and elegance that is hard to achieve by hand.

How Wheel Throwing Works

Centering the Clay – Placing the clay perfectly in the center of the wheel is key.
Opening the Clay – You create a hollow in the clay ball to start forming your pot.
Pulling the Walls – You carefully lift and shape the sides to reach your desired height and width.
Trimming and Finishing – Once the clay dries to leather-hard, you can trim the base and add finishing touches.

Wheel throwing can take a little practice to master, but it’s incredibly rewarding once you get the hang of it.

Why Choose Wheel Throwing Pottery?

Classic pottery look – Perfect for functional ware like cups, bowls, and vases.
Satisfying rhythm – The wheel’s spin can feel meditative.
Challenge-driven – Ideal for those who enjoy mastering techniques and precision.
Consistency – Easier to make matching sets once you gain skill.

👉 Curious about trying the pottery wheel? Wheel Throwing Workshop options provided by Pot Studios include Date Night, Wheel & Wine, and Weekend Wheel Workshops, giving beginners and enthusiasts hands-on guidance to create unique, functional pottery pieces.

Date Night – $300
Join a partner or friend for a fun, relaxed 2-hour session. You’ll learn the basics of the wheel, create a piece to glaze and fire, and enjoy music and wine provided by Pot Studios.

Wheel & Wine – $135
A 2-hour class guiding you through creating various ceramic pieces in an intimate group setting. Wine is included as instructors help you bring your creative vision to life.

Weekend Wheel Workshop – $135
Perfect for beginners, this workshop teaches the fundamentals of wheel throwing, including centering and shaping clay. Participants create one to two small pieces, which are then glazed and fired.

Wheel throwing workshops are ideal if you’re drawn to clean, functional pottery and the hypnotic spin of the wheel. Pot Studios provides a friendly, hands-on environment to explore your creativity and master the craft.

So, Which One Should You Choose?

Pottery Style	Best For	Why Choose It
Hand Building	Sculptural or artistic work	Focuses on creativity and experimentation. Great for unique, textured, or decorative pieces. Beginner-friendly and allows you to explore different forms.
Wheel Throwing	Symmetry & precision	Ideal for balanced, functional pieces like bowls, vases, and mugs. Emphasizes clean lines and uniformity. Offers a rewarding, meditative experience.
Both	Complete beginners	Introductory classes often let you try both methods. Helps you discover what excites you most and what style you enjoy before committing.

Whichever path you choose, you’re in for a creative, relaxing, and hands-on experience. Now go get your hands dirty!

Create lasting pottery memories at Pot Studios

Pot Studios offer immersive pottery courses for adults, designed for both beginners and intermediate learners. Whether you’re drawn to wheel throwing or hand building, our programs provide the skills, guidance, and creative environment to help you bring your pottery ideas to life.

Led by Alexander Mamas, trained at the National Art School in Sydney, each class combines technical expertise with hands-on creativity, ensuring a dynamic and enriching experience.

Join us at Pot Studios on the Gold Coast and start shaping your pottery story today!

Hand Building vs Wheel Throwing: Which Pottery Class is Right for You?