There is something surreal about making something by hand and seeing it come to life. For some people, that process is absolutely exhilarating, and I’m one of those people.
I know that creating isn’t for everyone, but for some of us, it provides a quiet way to step back from the busyness of life. It allows us to slow down, focus, create, and then enjoy the fruit of our labor.
Ever since I was a child, I’ve loved making things. It brings me a kind of joy that’s hard to explain – a sense of accomplishment that feels quite simple and yet simultaneously profound.
Why Pottery?
This past year, I decided I would try my hand at pottery.
The first series of classes focused on hand-building mugs. I made an “okay” mug, but I was still very proud of it! The handle held up, it didn’t leak, and I’ve been using it for a year now.
Is it the perfect mug?
Absolutely not! In fact far from it! But it’s my ‘perfectly imperfect’ mug, and it taught me a lot.
The Wheel vs. Hand-Building
In our next set of classes, we moved on to the wheel.
Wheel throwing, as it turns out, is an entirely different skill set. It requires practice, precision, and – most importantly – patience.
In this season of life, the kind of patience the wheel demands doesn’t quite match the purpose I started pottery for. I wanted a mental break, a chance to carve out some quiet time from my busy daily schedule. Spinning on the wheel felt more like frustration than the serene flow I was seeking.
One lady in the class overheard me lamenting this and said:
“You know, you can make beautiful things with hand-building.”
That resonated with me. It redirected my thoughts toward giddily exploring a whole new world of adventures in hand-building!
I went home and started binge-watching hand-building pottery videos, and she was absolutely right.
I found the slow pace of rolling out a slab of clay, creating a pattern with a roller, cutting out the pieces, and slowly forming something from a flat slab to be deeply satisfying.
Pottery as Self-Care
This past summer, I treated myself to a sequence of scheduled mental health breaks.
I took Friday mornings off work as a mini-vacation and signed up for another series of classes at the Edmonton Potters’ Guild.
This time, I was determined to focus on hand-building.
I did give the wheel another try, and this time I actually made something I felt proud of—something I would actually use! But that experience confirmed for me that hand-building is what I needed right now.
Hand-building gives me space to breathe.
Building With Intention
Most pottery classes focus on the wheel, so I started charting my own path.
I looked for patterns and ideas of things I could build that would be useful in my home – things that were challenging but meaningful.
I found a pattern for a sugar canister and creamer set, and I was so excited to get to class, pattern all printed and cut out, ready to go.
I sat down with intention.
I had a mission.
Work in progress!
The Tray Idea
After crafting the set, I spoke with Lori, the teacher from the guild, and she suggested making a tray to rest the pieces on.
She said I could cut the tray freeform from a slab of clay, using the contours of my completed pieces as a guide, and then build a small railing to keep them in place.
This will be the piece I try to “perfect” – at least, perfect by my own standards, based on where I am in my pottery journey right now.
I loved this idea. It was an Aha! moment for me.
In that moment, I decided:
The Waiting Game (and the Surprise of the Kiln)
I completed the project, and it went through the bisque firing.
At that point, I was intrigued by the potential it held. I really liked how it was coming together.
Working on pottery projects week after week means that different items progress through the process at different times. In this case, one of the pieces was already bisque fired (showing as white), while the rest was still drying.
(And of course, I promptly forgot to take a photo of the whole set at the bisque-firing stage!)
When it came time to pick a glaze, I chose a “special” glaze – honestly, I can’t recall the name. All I remember is that this glaze behaves differently depending on where the piece sits in the kiln. The final result would have an earthy tone, and I loved that idea.
Then came the unbearable wait for the email that says:
“It’s time for pottery pick-up!”
The final piece!
Other Pieces I Loved
There were other projects I made during this series of classes that I felt pretty good about.
I made a matching set of coasters, complete with cork bottoms, and a large mug for my husband.
He had one simple request:
“A LARGE mug.”
I remember building it in class, and everyone commenting on how big it was.
My response?
“Hubby requested a large mug!”
When I brought it home, it was exactly the size he wanted—even holding a bit more than his usual go-to mug. That original mug has now officially been retired to make way for version 2.0, handmade on request, with love!
The completed large mug for hubby!
And then there was the only wheel-thrown piece I kept from this session.
It now proudly holds supplements on the kitchen counter, right by the fridge, so we actually remember to take them along with our water.
Perhaps the best wheel thrown item I’ve made to date!
Lessons From Clay
So, what have I learned during this latest series of pottery classes?
1. Know What Moves You
Someone else’s agenda doesn’t have to determine your path.
You don’t have to do things the “traditional” way just because that’s how it’s usually done.
Set your eyes on your own mission, go toward it, and own it.
2. Pace Yourself
In life, and in pottery—there’s no rush.
Some projects will go through the stages faster than others.
Some things dry before others.
Some need more time in the kiln.
That’s okay. It’s all part of the process.
3. ‘Perfectly Imperfect’ is Perfectly Fine
My first mug was lopsided, but it worked.
The tray for my sugar set might not have perfect edges, but I made it, and I will enjoy using it.
I love the feeling of creating things that are useful and that hold a piece of me in them.
Clay teaches you to let go of perfection, to follow your own pace, and to create what feels right for you.
For me, that’s exactly the lesson I needed.
Thinking of Trying Pottery?
If you’ve ever thought about trying pottery – or any creative hobby – my advice is:
Go for it!
You don’t have to be perfect at it. Just show up, create something with your hands, and see where it takes you.
Share Your Thoughts!
If you enjoyed this post, feel free to share it or leave a comment below.
Have you tried pottery or another creative outlet? Tell me about it, what moves you?
