Slow down and make something with your hands.
Fernhill Clay is a small, friendly pottery studio with twelve wheels, two kilns and a long wooden table for handbuilding. No experience needed — just bring clothes you don't mind getting muddy.
See upcoming classes First visit?Classes
Small groups of up to eight, so every student gets real time with an instructor. All clay, glazes and firings are included in the course fee.
Wheel Throwing I
Centering, opening and pulling walls. By the last session you'll have thrown, trimmed and glazed a set of cups and bowls to take home.
Handbuilding Basics
Pinch, coil and slab techniques for planters, serving plates and sculptural pieces. A relaxed class that suits anyone nervous about the wheel.
Glaze Lab
Layering, dipping and wax resist. We test our studio glazes on tiles, compare results after firing and talk about why each surface turned out the way it did.
Winter Schedule
Spots open on the first of each month. Membership holders get early registration two days before general sign-up.
| Course | Day | Time | Starts | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheel Throwing I | Tuesday | 6:30 – 9:00 pm | Jan 13 | Waitlist |
| Wheel Throwing I | Saturday | 10:00 am – 12:30 pm | Jan 17 | 3 spots left |
| Handbuilding Basics | Wednesday | 7:00 – 9:00 pm | Jan 14 | Open |
| Glaze Lab | Thursday | 6:30 – 9:00 pm | Feb 5 | Open |
| Open Studio | Fri – Sun | 12:00 – 8:00 pm | Ongoing | Members only |
From the Shelves
A few recent pieces from students and members, fired in our gas kiln last month.
About the Studio
We started Fernhill in a converted garage with one second-hand wheel and a kiln that took two days to cool. A few years and several hundred students later, we have a proper workshop, but the idea is the same: a calm place where people can learn a craft without any pressure to be good at it right away.
Our instructors are working potters who sell their own pieces at local markets. Between them they have more than thirty years of experience at the wheel.
Membership
Finished a course and want to keep going? Members get open studio access three days a week, a personal shelf, studio clay at cost and unlimited glaze firings.
Monthly memberships can be paused for up to two months a year — handy for holidays or busy seasons at work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothes that can get dirty, closed-toe shoes, and short nails if possible. We provide aprons and towels.
When can I take my pieces home?
Work needs to dry, be bisque fired, glazed and fired again. Expect your finished pieces about two to three weeks after your final class.
Can I book a private session or group event?
Yes. We host birthday parties, team outings and date nights for groups of four to ten on weekend evenings. Ask at the front desk for available dates.
What if I miss a class?
You're welcome to attend the same session in another course that week if there's space, or come to a free open studio hour to catch up.