What to Expect from Your First Pottery Session at Brushed Earth Home

Thinking about booking a pottery session? First of all, you're in the right place! Whether you're coming to get creative, try something new, or just fancy a mindful afternoon playing with clay, I can't wait to welcome you to my little home studio in Derbyshire.

If you’ve never even touched clay before, don’t worry. This post will give you a walk-through of what your first session will look like, what to expect, and how to make the most of it. 

Come As You Are (But Maybe Not in Your Favourite Top)

Pottery is gloriously messy in the best way, so wear something comfy and not too precious, and that includes shoes! Clay washes out of most things, but it's best to come dressed like you're about to do some gardening or painting. Aprons are provided, so no need to bring your own unless you have a favourite one.

Avoid wearing rings or long sleeves that might get in the way, and if you’ve got long hair—tie it up so it doesn’t accidentally become part of your pottery masterpiece.

If you can, I recommend cutting nails beforehand too. But, don't worry about it too much if you don't want to, we can make adaptions as we go to avoid nail marks in your work. 

The Studio Vibe

My studio is in my home—a calm, cosy space that’s all about slowing down and getting your hands dirty (in the nicest way). It’s just you (or you and a friend, if you’ve booked together) and me, which means lots of one-to-one guidance, no waiting for wheels, and no pressure to “get it right.” It’s all about enjoying the process.

You’ll find a warm, light-filled room, some music quietly playing in the background, and a peaceful space to create. There’ll be a mug of tea waiting if you want one (because everything is better with a brew). There may even be two little dogs milling around, ready to greet you at the door. You can let me know  when booking though if you don't like dogs and I will ensure a dog free zone!

What You’ll Be Doing

Depending on the session you’ve booked, we’ll either be working on the pottery wheel or using hand-building techniques, or sometimes a mix of both. Here’s a rough idea of how it goes:

1. A Little Intro

I’ll start by giving you a relaxed demo. I’ll show you how to centre the clay on the wheel, how to open it up, and how to pull the walls, and then to shape it. If you’re hand-building, I’ll walk you through each step, as I will be making a demo piece right alongside you. 

2. Your Turn!

When it’s your time to get hands-on. I’ll be right there to guide you as much (or as little) as you need. The clay might have a mind of its own at first, but that’s part of the fun. You’ll be surprised how quickly you get the hang of it, and even if your piece comes out a bit wonky, it’ll be yours, and it will be beautiful!

3. Creating Your Piece

You might end up making a mug, a bowl, a little trinket dish—or something totally abstract! This is your space to explore, play, and make something special. Most people make one or two pieces in a session, depending on the pace, but there’s no rush.

What If It Goes a Bit Wrong?

Honestly, it probably will—and that’s all part of it. Clay collapses, wobbles, or goes off-centre more often than not in the beginning. But that’s where the magic is. It’s not about perfection, it’s about getting stuck in, having a go, and maybe laughing when your bowl turns into a pancake. I'm here to help you every step of the way, and we’ll work through it together.

What Happens to Your Creations?

At the end of your session, you’ll choose which pieces you’d like to keep. I'll give you few options for glazing colours to pick from, and then I’ll take care of drying, firing, and glazing them for you, which usually takes 6 weeks. Once they’re ready, I’ll send you an email to let you know they are ready for collection. I'll hold onto your work for an additional 6 weeks, so that gives you 6 weeks to collect! 

A Few Tips to Make the Most of It

• Relax – This isn’t school and there are no grades. You’re here to enjoy yourself.
• Ask Questions – I love chatting about pottery, so if you’re curious, ask away!
• Be Kind to Yourself – Your first pot might not be your best, but it’ll be special because you made it.
• Take Photos – Feel free to snap pics during the session. It’s fun to look back and see how your piece started.

After Your Session

If you’ve caught the pottery bug (and honestly, it’s hard not to), you’re welcome to come back for more sessions. Some people come for a one-off creative afternoon, others end up making it a regular thing. I also offer gift vouchers if you want to treat someone else to the experience.

Final Thoughts

Trying pottery for the first time is exciting, a bit unpredictable, and very, very satisfying. It’s a moment to slow down, switch off from the outside world, and connect with the earth. Whether you leave with a wonky little cup or a perfectly balanced bowl, you’ll have something made entirely by you—and that’s pretty special.

I can’t wait to welcome you into the studio and share a bit of the clay life with you.

See you soon, Ellie x