Spinning Beginnings: First Steps on the Potter‘s Wheel
From lump to lovely: A PIE Ceramics Course
Date and time
Wednesday, 11. June 2025, 18.30 O'clock
Further dates
Overview
Beginner
No previous knowledge required for this event.
En
Our guide speaks fluent English.
Studio Zürich
4 x 3 Hours
One class per week, over 4 weeks
Multi-day Course
Hands-on sessions to learn real skills in just one go.
What we will be doing
From your first lump of clay to a wheel-thrown masterpiece (or three).
This beginner-friendly 4 weeks course is your deep-dive intro to the spinning, swirling, centering joy of the potter’s wheel — no experience needed, just curiosity and a willingness to get a little muddy.
Over four weeks, we’ll guide you step by step through the fundamentals of wheel throwing: from prepping your clay and finding your centre, to pulling up walls and refining your form. You’ll shape pieces like cups, small bowls or vases — and begin to develop your own rhythm and relationship with this meditative, tactile craft.
This course is perfect if you’ve always wanted to try the wheel — or if you’ve done a taster and now want to go deeper.
✏️ What to Expect
- Weekly classes with hands-on instruction and demos
- Personalised guidance in a small group setting
- Techniques like wedging, centering, opening, pulling, shaping & trimming
- Intro to decorating tools: carving, stamping, and adding attachments
- The basics of glazing and finishing
- Full access to our professional ceramics studio and tools
- Time to explore, experiment and build confidence on the wheel
🧠 What You’ll Learn
- How to prepare and centre clay on the wheel
- The core techniques of throwing symmetrical forms
- How to trim and refine your pieces once leather-hard
- Surface design & decoration techniques to make your work your own
- Basic glazing principles and studio workflows
- Best practices for independent practice and next steps
🎁 What’s Included
- All tools, materials, and clay
- Use of studio equipment and your own wheel each session
- Firing & glazing of your finished pieces
- Safe storage of your works between sessions
- Your handmade ceramics — ready for pickup approx. 4 weeks after the last class
All you need to bring is comfy clothes, tied-back hair, and a sense of adventure. We’ll provide aprons, towels — and of course, encouragement.
🤔 Is This Course Right for Me?
Absolutely. This course is ideal for:
- Complete beginners with no wheel experience
- Anyone who’s taken a taster and is ready to deepen their skills
- Creatives looking for structure, flow, and personal growth at the wheel
If you’re more experienced, you may want to explore our intermediate courses or ongoing Studio Classes to continue developing your style.
🥂 First Class Vibes: Sips, Snacks & Hellos
We like to kick things off on a warm and social note. During the first class, we’ll take a little extra time to get to know each other — and we’ll toast to the beginning of your creative journey with a welcome drink. Choose from a soft drink, hot drink, wine, prosecco, beer — or our Cocktail of the Week.
🍴 Feeling peckish?
Our Creative Café offers a delicious à la carte menu during class sessions — think wraps, salad bowls, finger foods and snacks. Perfect fuel while your masterpiece dries.
📦 A Few More Things to Know
- Please arrive 15 minutes early to your first class to get set up
- We safely store your work between sessions
- Firing takes 3–4 weeks after the final class — we’ll notify you when your pieces are ready to collect
- Tickets are transferable, but non-refundable within 36 hours
- Rescheduling is possible up to 72 hours before the course begins
- Keep the momentum going — our Studio Classes are perfect for continued practice and personal projects
What are PIE multi-day course?
Learn art in 4-6 weeks for sustainable learning
Learn more about PIE multi-day courses
Further dates for this PIE multi-day course
Private event
You can also enjoy this or similar events privately. To the event planner
Vouchers
Give the gift of a unique experience!
Buy voucher now