Hand Building

Hand-building is the practice of creating ceramic objects without a potter's wheel. The three main techniques—coiling, slab construction, and pinching—were developed thousands of years before the wheel and remain essential skills for ceramic artists.

Hand-building offers creative freedom that wheel work doesn't. You can create asymmetrical forms, sharp angles, and sculptural pieces impossible to throw on a wheel. Many ceramic artists use hand-building exclusively or combine it with wheel techniques.

Hand-building predates the potter's wheel by thousands of years. Ancient cultures worldwide developed sophisticated hand-building techniques, from Native American coil pots to Japanese hand-formed tea bowls.

The technique never disappeared. Even after wheels became common, potters continued hand-building for specific forms and effects. Contemporary ceramic artists have elevated hand-building to new heights of expression.

Hand-building classes are perfect for beginners—no wheel skills required. You'll learn to prepare clay, join pieces securely, and create forms from scratch.

Most classes start with pinch pots, the simplest technique. You'll progress to coiling and slab work as skills develop. The pace is relaxed; hand-building doesn't require the sustained concentration of wheel throwing.

Wear old clothes and bring an apron if you have one. Studios provide clay and tools. Pieces need to dry and be fired, so you'll return in later sessions to glaze and pick up finished work.