Explore our courses & classes
We offer a range of regular pottery classes and courses for all levels, from complete beginners looking to try something new to more experienced potters hoping to develop their skills.
Whether you'd like to get hands-on with the potter's wheel, explore the possibilities of handbuilding or build your confidence over a series of sessions, there's something to help you get started on your pottery journey.
Explore our classes below to find the right fit for you and discover more about what's involved, who each course is for and how to book.
Alongside our regular classes and courses, we'll also be running a changing programme of one-off workshops and masterclasses throughout the year. These will be advertised separately, so keep an eye on our website and social media for upcoming events!
WHEEL THROWING AND HAND BUILDING TASTER SESSIONS
WHEEL THROWING TASTER
Duration: 2 hours
Price: £60
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Wheel throwing tasters
Suitable for independent makers who have some experience with ceramic making and require regular but limited weekly access to studio facilities.
Duration: 2 hours
Price: £60 -
You'll learn:
The basics of centring clay on the wheel
How to open and pull up a simple form
How to shape and finish your pots
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Complete beginners and anyone who would like to try wheel throwing before signing up for a longer course.
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Wear comfortable clothes that you don't mind getting messy (aprons will be provided). Long hair should be tied back and we recommend keeping nails reasonably short.
All materials and equipment are provided.
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New to pottery? Discover the joy of making by hand in this relaxed, hands-on introduction to clay.
Our handbuilding taster is a great way to explore pottery without using a wheel. In this two-hour session, you'll learn the basics of working with clay by hand and discover how simple shapes can be transformed into functional or decorative pieces.
With guidance from an experienced tutor, you'll have the chance to experiment with different techniques, get creative and make something of your own to take through the firing process.
No previous pottery experience is needed — just bring your curiosity and get ready to get your hands dirty!
Duration: 2 hours
Price: £50 -
You'll learn:
The basics of preparing and working with clay by hand
How to build simple forms using basic handbuilding techniques
How to join pieces of clay securely
How to shape, refine and add details to your work
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Complete beginners and anyone curious about pottery who would like to try handbuilding in a relaxed, supportive environment. It's ideal if you'd like to explore working with clay without the wheel.
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Wear comfortable clothes that you don't mind getting messy (aprons will be provided). Keep long hair tied back and consider removing rings or other jewellery that might get in the way while working with clay.
All materials and equipment are provided.
HANDBUILDING TASTERS
Duration: 2 hours
Price: £50
WHEEL THROWING AND HAND BUILDING COURSES
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Learn the basics of throwing on the potter's wheel in this hands-on 5 week course.
This course is designed for beginners who want more time to learn and practise the fundamentals of wheel throwing in a supportive studio environment.
Across five sessions, you'll work through the key stages of making a pot on the wheel, from preparing your clay and centring through to shaping, trimming and finishing your work.
You'll have plenty of opportunity to practise, with guidance from your tutor throughout the course.
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You'll learn:
How to prepare and wedge clay for throwing
How to centre clay on the wheel
Opening and pulling up the walls
Creating and shaping more ambitious forms
Trimming and finishing your pots
Basic studio and clay handling techniques
Glazing and decorating
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Complete beginners or anyone with very limited previous experience who would like to build confidence on the wheel.
No previous experience is required.
We ask that anyone applying to become a member and work from the studio regularly has attended this 5 week course (or equivalent elsewhere) as a minimum.
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Wear comfortable clothes that you don't mind getting messy (aprons will be provided). Long hair should be tied back and we recommend keeping nails reasonably short.
All materials and equipment are provided.
WHEEL THROWING - 5 WEEK COURSE
Duration: 5 weeks
Price: £220
ADVANCED WHEEL THROWING - 5 WEEK COURSE
Duration: 5 weeks
Price: £220
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Ready to take your throwing further? Develop your skills with focused, tailored guidance.
This five-week course is designed for potters who already have experience on the wheel and have had time to practise independently, but feel that their progress has started to plateau or that there are particular areas of their practice they would like to develop.
Rather than following a fixed programme, the course gives you the opportunity to identify what you want to improve and work with your tutor to develop your skills. This could be improving your general throwing technique and consistency, tackling a particular form or technique, or working towards a specific project.
You'll receive tailored guidance throughout the course, with plenty of time to practise, experiment and refine your approach.
Duration: 5 weeks
Price: £220 -
This course could help you to:
Improve your general throwing technique and consistency
Identify and work through areas where you are struggling
Develop more control over the shape and proportions of your work
Explore more complex forms and techniques
Work towards a specific project or series of pieces
Develop your own approach and style
Gain confidence tackling forms that you currently find challenging
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This course is for potters who have already attended one or more wheel throwing courses and have had significant time to practise their skills independently.
It is not intended for complete beginners. You should already be comfortable with the basic process of centring, opening and pulling up clay on the wheel and be able to work independently.
If you feel that you've reached a plateau, are struggling with a particular technique, or simply want some focused guidance to take your throwing further, this course could be for you.
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Wear comfortable clothes that you don't mind getting messy (aprons will be provided). Long hair should be tied back and we recommend keeping nails reasonably short.
All materials and equipment are provided.
HAND-BUILDING - 5 WEEK COURSE
Duration: 5 weeks
Price: £200
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Discover the basics of hand-building in this hands-on 5 week course.
This course is designed for beginners who want to explore working with clay by hand in a supportive studio environment.
Across the first four sessions, you'll explore coiling, slab building and pinch pots, learning how to combine these techniques to create your own unique pottery. In the final session, you'll learn how to apply brush-on glazes to decorate and finish your work.
You'll have plenty of opportunity to experiment with different forms and develop your skills, with guidance from your tutor throughout the course. You'll have the opportunity to create around 4–6 pieces to take home.
Duration: 5 weeks
Price: £200 -
You'll learn:
Basic clay preparation and handling techniques
Pinch pot, coil and slab building methods
How to shape, join and refine your work
Combining different hand-building techniques
Using simple tools to create different forms and textures
Applying brush-on glazes to decorate and finish your pottery
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Complete beginners or anyone with very limited previous experience who would like to explore hand-building with clay.
No previous experience is required.
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Wear comfortable clothes that you don't mind getting messy (aprons will be provided). Long hair should be tied back and we recommend keeping nails reasonably short.
All materials and equipment are provided.
MASTERCLASSES AND SEASONAL WORKSHOPS
Explore something new with our masterclasses and seasonal workshops at Made in Stirling Pottery Studio. From festive creations to intensive courses and specialist sessions, these workshops offer the chance to develop your skills, learn new techniques and enjoy a more focused creative experience.
Whether you're a beginner looking to try something different or an experienced potter hoping to expand your practice, there's something for everyone throughout the year.
CHRISTMAS TREE POTTERY WORKSHOP
Duration: 6 hours
Price: £95
Sat 14th November & Sat 28 November
£95
10.30am - 4.30am
Get into the festive spirit and create your own little forest of handmade ceramic Christmas trees! In this festive pottery workshop, you’ll learn to shape 2–3 small hollow trees on the potter’s wheel, experimenting with different styles, from classic Christmas tree shapes to playful spirals.
Personalise your creations with decorative details and colourful underglazes and choose whether to turn your trees into simple festive decorations or add holes to create a beautiful, glowing tea light decoration.
Once you’ve finished creating and decorating, we’ll take care of the firing and finish your trees with a clear glaze, ready for you to collect and display in time for Christmas. A lovely way to get creative, make something unique, and add a handmade touch to your festive decorations!
There will be a one-hour break for lunch so do please feel free to bring a packed lunch. Please note that our studio is a nut free environment.