Clay Design Studio/Gallery

My boyfriend surprised me on Valentine’s day by taking me to a 3 hr pottery making class. I was very excited as I’ve been wanting to try making pottery from scratch using the wheel, but majority of the places only have multiple classes options and not a class that lets you make it from scratch to finish in one sitting.
Phillis was our instructor for the day — lovely lady; she was friendly, patient, and explained everything thoroughly in her demonstrations.
There were a few parts to the class. We each got 2 pieces of clay. One which you work on under her full supervision, and she helps you out to ensure you will at least be able to make one complete item. The second piece of clay was for you to work on your own — she was still around to give pointers, but it was more of a full hands on for you to do it on your own.
After there was a break where she offered coffee/​tea and some cookies, as she went through the demonstration on making a plate. Then we got to go hands on in building the plate/​bowl which was less difficult than making the cylinders, but still a lot of fun as it allows you to be creative.
When you are all finished you select a color of what you want your items to be. In about 2 weeks she will be in touch for you to come pick up your items. Can’t wait to pick up my items and see how they turned out!
Surprisingly we actually took up the full 3 hrs. The class costed $ 240 for the both of us. It was quite pricey, but definitely worth the experience! Don’t forget you get to take home 6 finished pieces so I think it’s quite a good deal.

I went to a three hour class today in a 4 person group session with Dennise. It was absolutely fantastic and I highly recommend checking out Clay Design. Such a warm and inviting ambiance. Totally unpretentious– it is all about having fun and being creative. Dennise is an absolute gem and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience for my first pottery class.
If you have ever wanted to take a pottery class but thought ohh it’s too expensive or ohh the place is too far— just shut that down, go out and do it! It is worth the time and money to at least try it out. Clay Design in particular was very comfortable and fun (we had an intermission with tea and cookies!!).
Haven’t felt this happy /​alive in a really long time. Thanks Clay Design!

Clay Design is a great place to take pottery classes. I’ve been coming here for over a year and look forward to it every week. The environment makes it a great place to learn and your experience is tailored to your level. Since I started with no knowledge whatsoever, I needed more guidance at the beginning. Whereas others with 5, 10, or even 20 years of experience have more technically advanced questions.
It’s an informal place to learn something new or to continue developing your skills. Everyone is very friendly and happy to share advice, tricks or just admire each others’ work.
Chances are you won’t make the perfect tea set the first time your hands touch clay, but you will have a few pieces to feel proud of. Like any other skill, it’ll get better with time and practice.
The shop is also worthwhile checking out for unique gifts. The prices are on par with what you’d find elsewhere for hand made pottery (Etsy, one of a kind show etc).

Clay Design is a stand-​by for wedding gifts, and for good reason. There are 4 or so house potters who always have items on display offer a range from japanese-​inspired to country living pottery. Additionally, there are rotating potters who have displays occasionally. I have no hopes for making any of this myself, so yes they have classes, no, I am not going to take one. However, some of the stuff looks like stuff my friends made in art class, lacking creativity. Some of the dishes, plates and bowls are really works of art and others are just plates and bowls.
Make sure to know the colors and style of your friends getting married before you head out to Clay Design.
Many of these designs are actually found at the Gardiner Museum on Avenue Rd.

I recently became a Clay-​fan (no relation to Clay Aiken fans, Claymates) when I received a beautiful handmade clay dish at a wedding. It even had the initials of the bride and groom etched into it. Probably the best wedding token I’ve gotten.
Ever since I got this, I’ve been looking at taking some kind of pottery class to learn how to make clay dishes and such. When I stumbled on Clay Design, I knew I had to check it out.
The store has the most unique and beautiful clayware. They sell a lot of plates, bowls and dishes there. A small icecream bowl costs about $ 50, just to give you an idea on the price. A bigger serving plate will put you out $ 300. Needless to say, to buy a piece that someone else has made is probably more expensive than just taking lessons yourself. And luckily they do offer lessons here. When we went yesterday they were holding a class.
If this place wasn’t so far off the subway, I’d definitely take a class!