Basics Wheel Throwing Class (Slab on Request)
Join us for a 2 hour long, hands-on introduction to wheel throwing in a serene permaculture homestead in Wailua, Kaua'i. This small, intimate class (limited to just 3 people) is perfect for beginners who want to experience the magic of shaping clay on the wheel while immersing themselves in a beautiful, natural setting.
What to Expect:
🌿 Homestead Walk & Talk Story – We’ll start with a short stroll around the homestead, getting to know each other and connecting over a cup of herbal tea made from plants grown right here.
🎨 Studio Introduction & Demonstration – Before diving in, we’ll walk through the pottery-making process from raw clay to finished ceramic. I’ll demonstrate the foundational techniques of wheel throwing, including wedging, centering, opening, and pulling up the clay.
🌀 Hands-On Practice – You’ll then get on the wheel and practice creating a basic cylinder—the fundamental shape behind many pottery forms. If this is your first time, expect a learning curve! Wheel throwing takes patience and practice, and it’s completely normal if you don’t end up with a finished piece. The goal is to enjoy the process, not just the outcome.
🎟 Small Class Size & All-Inclusive Experience
This class is limited to just 3 people to ensure plenty of guidance and hands-on support. All materials, tools, and clay are provided—just bring an open mind and a willingness to get messy!
Understanding the Process:
Pottery is a multi-step journey. After shaping your piece, it must dry completely, be bisque fired, glazed, and then fired again at high temperatures. This entire process takes weeks, and this class only covers Day 1: forming your piece on the wheel.
What Happens to Your Piece?
Depending on what you create, you’ll have a few options:
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Take it home raw – Pick up your leather dry piece in a few days and fire/glaze it elsewhere, on your own time. This is perfect for those who want to customize finishing their pieces themselves.
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Have it finished for you – I’ll handle the bisque firing, single color glazing, glaze firing, and sanding for a $20 fee (does not include shipping - we only offer shipping to Hawai'i, Alaska, and the US mainland).
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Recycle it – Embrace the joy of creating without attachment—smash it, reclaim the clay, and honor the art of impermanence ✨
Whether you leave with a finished piece or simply an unforgettable experience, this class is about getting comfortable with the wheel, enjoying the creative flow, and connecting with the beauty of handmade craft.
Can't find available dates?
If you can't find any dates that are available on the calendar that works for you, please email me at michelle@studiotanah.com and we might be able to work it out.
Cancellation Policy
We’re a small studio and put care into preparing for each class—especially your clay! Because of this, all reservations are final 24 hours before class start time. Changes, reschedules, or cancellations within 24 hours are not permitted. If you cancel within this window or don’t show up, your payment will be forfeited and we won’t be able to offer a refund. Thanks for understanding—we prep with love, and that prep takes time.
60 Day Pick Up Policy
We ask that you pick up your glazed pieces within 60 days of your original class date. After this period, unclaimed pieces will be considered abandoned and will become the property of the studio. These pieces may be repurposed as student samples, donated, or, if they are exceptionally beautiful, we may paint and sell them to offset the storage costs. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer refunds, re-dos, store credit, or compensation for pieces left beyond the 60-day window. If you’d like to keep your piece, we encourage you to pick it up within the allotted time. Thank you for your understanding!
Age Restriction Policy
Our classes are open to anyone ages 10 and up. Children under 12 must be accompanied by a participating adult. For children under 10, we ask that a parent or guardian also enroll and participate alongside them. While we generally don’t recommend wheel throwing for kids under 8, we understand that every child is different—if you feel your young one is especially focused or capable, we’re happy to chat. Our age guidelines are just that: guidelines. We’re flexible and want to help create a positive experience for everyone.
Mahalo for supporting local art and experiences! 🤙✨
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Amazing! Loved Michelle’s teaching style and the vibe :) grateful for an affordable option to make pottery on Kaua’i !!
I had so much fun at Michelle’s wheel throwing class. We got a short tour of their homestead and then got right into hands on learning. It was informative, intimate and so very sweet. I wanted to keep playing with the clay and wheel all day. Highly recommend any of Michelle’s classes. She’s a patient and intuitive teacher, offers guidance and support but also lets you learn as you go. Mahalo Michelle!
No matter your experience you will enjoy the company, Michelle’s guidance and inspiring island vibes.
Michelle was such a patient and encouraging instructor! This was my first time taking a pottery class, and it truly exceeded my expectations. The intimate setting allowed each of us to get hands-on help when needed, and Michelle was so fun and easy to talk story with. I'm really looking forward to coming back for her 5-week program in the future. Thank you, Michelle, for creating such a beautiful space to learn and grow.
P.S. She was incredibly sweet and responsive when I had questions about the space beforehand!
What a great class! Michelle is a direct and patient teacher as well as a gracious host! Her studio is nestled in the east side mountains of Wailua on a glorious homestead with sweet smelling flowers and delicious tea. I was completely new to wheel throwing and Michelle patiently walked me through each step as many times as I needed, offered support and helped me create 2 beautiful pieces to add to my home. 10/10 would recommend this class to anyone wanting to learn! Thank you Michelle!
