What is hand-building?

Hand-building is foundational to learning how to work with clay. There are 3 main techniques we teach:

Coiling: Stacking pinching and smoothing hand-rolled ropes of clay to create a form.

Pinch: Intuitively pushing and pinching solid clay into a form.

Slab: Cutting shapes from a large sheet of clay and attaching them together to create form.

Try it! Hand-building (2 hours)

$40 per person | Class size up to 12 people | Saturdays

Come on your own or bring a friend! Instructors will give the class a demo and provide hands-on guidance to each student. Most beginners will make a mug, planter, vase or bowl. Students are welcome to bring their own ideas to class or ask their instructor for a project.

Students pick a glaze at the end of class. Artwork will be ready for pickup 2-4 weeks later.

*Add-ons available: additional time or pieces fired

What is wheel throwing?

Wheel throwing is how most pottery is made. Potters create forms with their hands using the spin of the potter’s wheel. Learning to center the clay is the hardest part of the practice but it is fun and rewarding.

Try it! Wheel Throwing (2 hours)

$50 per person | Class size 6 people | Saturdays

Students will learn the basics of wheel throwing: centering and forming a cylinder or small bowl.

Clay, glaze and firings are included. Students get to keep 1 piece.

*Add-ons available: extra studio time, additional pieces fired.

Beginners Welcome

Date Night is an intimate experience and a great way to spend time with someone you love. Music, candles, flowers, and clay… what better way to spend an evening? Bring a hot date and come get dirty!

Date Night x Hand-Building

Fridays 5:30-7:30 pm | $90 per couple

In class couples will learn the basics of hand-building: coil, slab, and pinch. Each individual will work on their own project from start to finish. Bring your own idea to class or let the clay take you on a journey.

Date night x Wheel Throwing

Saturdays 6-8 pm | $100 per couple

In class couples will learn the basics of wheel throwing. Each individual will work on their own wheel though “Ghost” moments are encouraged. Students will likely make a small bowl or cylinder.

Tickets include:

2 hours of instruction, all materials, 1 fired piece, a romantic ambiance, disco ball and good tunes. Artwork will be ready within 2-4 weeks. Burn baby burn.

*Add-ons available: extra studio time, additional pieces fired.

BYOB Welcome.

We offer flexible booking, 7 days a week, for individuals or private groups.

We have hosted: team building and corporate events, holiday parties, family get-togethers, birthdays, and countless groups of friends.Whatever the occasion we would love to host you!

Book online or call for more accurate availability (208) 803-5923.

Private Hand-Building 2 hours

Can accommodate up to 12 people

$200 base price (includes up to three people) + $25 per additional person

**Additional time is recommended for groups 6+ (flat fee $50 for an extra hour)

**Each student gets to keep one piece, additional pieces can be fired with a fee.

Private Wheel Throwing 2 hours

Can accommodate up to 6 people

$200 base price (includes up to three people) + $35 per additional person

**Additional time is recommended for groups 4+ (flat fee $50 for an extra hour)

**Each student gets to keep one piece, additional pieces can be fired with a fee.

Did you know Clay Collective is the home studio of Clay by Shay? We have hosted wedding parties, team bonding and corporate events, holiday parties, and more.

Come to our studio or request us to travel to you!

You design, we assemble. During your workshop your party will have access to the entire selection of Clay by Shay charms. Participants can design earrings, necklaces, or bracelets/anklets. Individuals choose between 14k gold or sterling silver findings. Pieces will be assembled on the spot and be ready to take home.

Option 1: Open Range, individuals pay their own way based on the complexity of their designs

Option 2: Fixed Fee. Pick an item from our makers menu and pre-pay for your group.

$200 party minimum | $50 deposit will go towards the party minimum.

* Note: reservations made Tuesday-Saturday between 10-5 are during our open store hours. There may be other classes or shoppers at the studio. For a fully private party book evenings.

Give us a call for more accurate availability (208) 803-5923

Experience the full process

$190 | 6 students per class

Monday Nights: Introduction to Wheel Throwing

This class is perfect for students with no experience. Students will learn the basics of wheel throwing, trimming, surface techniques and glazing.

Tuesday Nights: Beginner + Wheel Throwing

This is a class for beginner and intermediate level students. In class students will work through blocks they may be encountering on the wheel and learn more advanced skills.

Perks to a 4 week course:

12 hours of instruction

Access to Open Studio which is reserved for current students and limited community members

3 hours of Open Studio time is included to finish projects or work independently outside of class

25% off additional Open Studio sessions

6:1 student to teacher ratio

Focused period of time to develop skills

Community through art