a potter pulling up walls on a piece of clay — **What’s something you’ve always wanted to try, but never did—just because the stars (or your schedule) never aligned?**
For me, that elusive dream was pottery. There’s something magical about watching someone transform a humble lump of clay into a beautiful, functional piece of art. If you’ve ever been mesmerized by the slow spin of the wheel and the hypnotic shaping of clay, then buckle up, friend—this post is for you.
Let’s talk about how I finally got my hands dirty. Literally.

Practicing Pottery Without Breaking the Bank

Pottery tools can be wildly expensive—not to mention slightly terrifying (hello, thousand-degree kiln of doom). Unless you’ve got a backyard studio and a fireproof insurance policy, I highly recommend starting with a class.

A few years ago, I was simply looking for something to fill my Monday nights that wasn’t doomscrolling or binge-watching another forgettable Netflix series. That’s when I stumbled across my county’s adult learning catalog. It felt like opening a treasure chest full of “wait, I can actually do that?” classes.

I signed up for pottery—and the rest is muddy, wobbly, beautiful history.

Pro tip: Find out when registration opens. I later learned I got absurdly lucky snagging a spot. A sweet older woman across the table nearly dropped her rib tool when I told her I’d just randomly signed up. She’d been hovering by her computer at midnight, Hunger Games-style, trying to get in. I like to think the pottery gods gave me a nudge that night.

The class itself was a dream—affordable, taught by a local expert, and it covered all the basics: centering, opening, pulling. (Spoiler: It’s way harder than it looks.) But I was hooked. There’s something incredibly grounding about feeling the clay move beneath your hands—plus, it's a socially acceptable way to aggressively center something that isn’t your existential dread.

Pottery as a Digital Detox

I didn’t realize how much time I spent on my phone until I replaced those hours with clay. Pottery became my accidental digital detox—no screens, just my hands, some mud, and a spinning wheel.

My first pots? Wobbly disasters. But the joy? Unmatched.

I later found out that our community center offers open wheel time twice a week—$20 for three hours, including glazes and firing? Sign. Me. Up. I bought a 25-pound bag of clay and got to work.

Now, two years later, I’m still at it. Still learning. Still covered in clay half the time. I turn to YouTube and Pinterest for inspiration and tips, and I’ve learned so much just by watching what other potters do. My favorite part? When I’m throwing, I can’t be on my phone. That means less screen time—and more hands-on, real-life joy.

Wanna Try? Here Are My Starter Tips:

Check local adult ed classes. They’re often more affordable than private studios, and full of fellow creative weirdos just like you.
Find open studios. Libraries and community centers are hidden gems.
Watch the pros. YouTube is a rabbit hole of knowledge. Dive in.
Embrace the mess. Pottery is a gloriously muddy mix of chaos and calm. Let your inner child play.

So go ahead. Make some mud pies. Throw some pots. And maybe—just maybe—you’ll find your new favorite way to spend a Monday night.

Below are some of my favorite pottery products from Amazon to get you started!

*This post contains affiliate links so we may receive compensation if you purchase products linked to below. As an Amazon Associate, I can earn from qualifying purchases.