Handbuilding and Decorating Taster Class

Explore the timeless art of handbuilding in this captivating two-hour pottery session in Leith.



2 hours Class size 1 to 4 guests    

  £50 - £70 (£50 for Public; £70 for Private)
Step away from life's distractions and discover the soothing power of ceramics with our Handbuilding and Decorating Taster Class. Designed for individuals, families, couples, and friends seeking a creative outlet, this hands-on session invites you to discover ancient techniques such as coiling, pinching, and slab building. Experience the joy of shaping raw material into functional beauty entirely by hand.
Under the guidance of a formally trained instructor, you'll begin by exploring fundamental handbuilding methods, creating pieces like bowls and other everyday items to appreciate clay's remarkable adaptability. You'll then have the opportunity to decorate your pieces with textures and colors using tools and decorating slips. Our small-group setting, limited to four participants, ensures you receive personalized attention in a supportive and encouraging environment.
This class welcomes everyone, regardless of skill level. Even if you’ve never worked with clay before, you’ll be amazed at what your hands can create. Handbuilding fosters a deep connection between maker and material, allowing for limitless expression and experimentation. Each technique provides a grounding experience that sharpens the mind and improves focus, patience, and dexterity.
At the end of the session, you'll choose one or two pieces to be glazed and fired. You'll leave with a distinct sense of accomplishment. You might even feel inspired to join us for weekly sessions to consolidate your skills!

Upcoming dates for Handbuilding and Decorating Taster Class

Times are London time. Dates and prices as of 7 Oct 2026, 3:35am; availability and price are confirmed live when booking on this page.

7 upcoming dates between 9 Oct 2026 and 31 Oct 2026.

  • Fri 9 Oct 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Fri 16 Oct 2026, 1pm-3pm
  • Sat 17 Oct 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Fri 23 Oct 2026, 1pm-3pm
  • Sat 24 Oct 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Fri 30 Oct 2026, 1pm-3pm
  • Sat 31 Oct 2026, 1pm-3pm
What you'll get
Craft and take home one or two beautifully finished pieces.
Read more details   
Knowledge required
None—this class is suitable for all skill levels!
What to bring
Please bring an apron if you have it; otherwise, we'll provide one.
Suitable for

Suitable for adults, and kids (minimum 10 years old).

An adult must accompany any attending kids, and must pay for a separate ticket.

Location

Edinburgh Open Workshop, 39-41 Assembly Street, Leith, Edinburgh

Handbuilding and Decorating Taster Class location
Verified reviews


Our reviewers receive the same incentives regardless of the ratings or comments provided

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Recent reviews of Handbuilding and Decorating Taster Class

  • 5/5 from Caitlin Cooke, attended Sep 2026: Fantastic course - Kiara was a wonderful teacher and made the whole experience for a complete beginner really enjoyable.
  • 5/5 from Stacey Love, attended Aug 2026: Welcoming and engaging class! Thank you!
  • 5/5 from Lauren, attended May 2026: Such an amazing experience. Taught very well and learnt a lot. Very excited to see the end result
  • 5/5 from Abigail Nelson, attended Apr 2026: What a lovely, relaxing and creative two hours! Chiara struck a perfect balance between letting me do it myself and learn, and stepping in to provide support so the finished product was actually nice and useable! As someone with absolutely no experience in pottery, I was very happy with both the process and the result (a lovely mug and accompanying tea strainer). Chiara was also kind enough to finish the process outside of our workshop time.
  • 5/5 from Rebecca, attended Apr 2026: Tried this with friends as something new and really enjoyed it. The 2-hour handbuilding session was very beginner-friendly—I made a vessel and was surprised how easy it was to end up with something decent. Chiara was great: knowledgeable, friendly, and kept things relaxed. The studio is bright and clean, and the whole class had an easygoing vibe. Nice way to switch off for a couple of hours and learn something new. Would recommend for friends or going solo. (Pics of taken before firing).
  • 5/5 from Perim Isisag, attended Apr 2026: This was such a lovely way to spend my afternoon! I pinched the cutest bowl under the supervision of our teacher, wonderful Chiara, who was really supportive of all of our wild ideas and guided us all so well. I even added little lion paws to my bowl, so much fun. I cannot recommend Chiara enough, she was very informative and a very likeable teacher but also gave us enough creative space to explore our ideas. Gift this session to your friends and family, or yourself! Believe me it was like therapy, but fun, plus you get a bowl at the end. Thanks Chiara!
Your teacher

Bottega Ceramica
Bottega Ceramica

5.0 (60)
female Women-owned

Bottega Ceramica is a ceramics studio founded by Chiara Dorbolò, an architect and ceramist trained in Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. The studio's mission is to share the transformative experience of working with clay using your hands and the pottery wheel.
Crafting beautiful and functional pieces from clay is a joyful and empowering process. The repetitive, rhythmic motions involved in kneading, centering, and shaping clear the mind and lift the mood by means of mindfulness and sensory grounding. Nestled in a sunny studio space within the Edinburgh Open Workshop, Bottega offers beginners and seasoned potters alike a chance to experience this wonderful process. Whether you are touching clay for the first time or the hundredth, you'll find room to disconnect from the daily hustle and reconnect with your creative self.
The name Bottega is inspired by the traditional Italian workshop where artists and craftsmen trained under a master. Since Renaissance times, 'andare a bottega' has been synonymous with learning through observation and practice—preparing materials, replicating processes, and accumulating practical knowledge. Your instructor, Chiara, is a graduate of the Academy of Architecture in Amsterdam and the Francisco Alcántara School of Ceramics in Madrid. With two years of experience as a pottery teacher and nearly a decade as a design and architecture educator, she brings a rich pedagogical foundation to every class. At Bottega, she provides a thoughtful learning experience rooted in tradition and shaped by contemporary design practices. Through an approach that combines technical skill, material sensitivity, and spatial thinking, she'll help you deepen your understanding of ceramics as a craft and as a design language.
Classes at Bottega follow the atelier model, featuring small group sizes, personalized guidance, attention to technique, and space for experimentation. In particular, we offer:
  • Taster classes, for those eager to dip their fingers into the tactile world of ceramics.
  • Introductory courses, for beginners ready to embark on a comprehensive learning journey.
  • Weekly sessions, ideal to sharpen your skills and explore new creative horizons.
  • Themed workshops, where you are guided to create pieces inspired by seasons, topics, or celebrations.
Join us for an immersive experience tailored to your level of expertise. Dive into handbuilding and wheel throwing techniques and discover the sense of tranquillity that comes from engaging with this timeless craft. You'll leave with more than just pottery: you'll gain patience, inspiration, and a deeper connection to an ancient art form.
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