What Is Hand Building?
Hand building is the process of creating ceramic pieces with your hands and simple tools, without using a potter's wheel. It is one of the oldest forms of pottery and an excellent starting point for anyone new to clay.
The three core hand building techniques are pinch pots, coil building, and slab construction. In a typical class, you will learn to form clay using these methods, add texture and decoration, and prepare your piece for glazing and firing.
Animal House Pottery offers hand building classes for adults and kids, led by instructors Rocio and Anthony. All materials, tools, glazes, and kiln firings are included. Finished pieces are ready for pickup approximately two to three weeks after your class.
Available Classes
Hand Building Classes
Adult Handbuilding Workshop with Rocio
Join Rocio on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 11am to 1pm to learn handbuilding the relaxed way. Over two hours you'll try pinch pots, coil building, and slab work, and we'll fire and glaze everything for you. Clay, tools, and firings are all included. Drop in for $75 or grab a four-class package for $280 and save. Come solo or bring a friend. Text 702-752-9560 to save your seat.
- Every Tuesday & Saturday 11am-1pm
- Beginners 100% welcome
- Single class $75 or 4-class package $280
- Clay, tools & firing included
4-Week Hand Building Course Package
Four weeks of handbuilding with Anthony, working through pinch, coil, and slab techniques a little further each session. Great if you've tried a class or two and want to go deeper. All materials are included.
- 4 progressive sessions
- All handbuilding techniques
- With Anthony Urango
- All materials included
Kids Handbuilding Workshop with Rocio
Kids ages 8 and up get their hands in clay every Tuesday from 2pm to 3:30pm with Rocio. In an hour and a half they learn pinch, coil, and slab techniques in a safe, supportive space and take home something they made. $75 for a single class or $260 for a four-class pack. Clay, tools, and firing are all included. Text 702-752-9560 to grab a spot.
- Every Tuesday 2pm-3:30pm (1.5 hrs)
- Ages 8+ welcome
- Single class $75 or 4-class package $260
- Clay, tools & firing included
Adult Handbuilding Pottery Workshop with Rocio
Starting 5/26/26, every Tuesday and Saturday from 11am to 1pm. Learn the basics of handbuilding with Rocio in a relaxed two-hour lesson with a demo. Stoneware clay and tools are included, and we bisque fire and glaze your finished pieces. Beginners are completely welcome.
- Tuesdays & Saturdays 11am-1pm
- Beginners welcome
- Bisque firing & glazing included
- All materials included
Hand Building Techniques
Three foundational methods you will explore in our hand building classes.
Pinch Pots
The simplest hand building technique. Shape clay by pressing and pinching with your thumbs.
Coil Building
Roll clay into coils and stack them to create taller, more complex forms like vases and pots.
Slab Construction
Roll flat sheets of clay and join them to make plates, boxes, tiles, and sculptural pieces.