Skip to main content

Throwing Basics Series - Refining Forms: Trimming Fundamentals

Date: Wed, Sep 23, 2026

Time: Wed., 6-8pm and Sat., 10am-noon

Venue: ShopSpace, Raleigh

Price: $80

Category: Community

The Throwing Basics series is designed to support the many ways people learn to throw. Each step is offered as a separate class, allowing students to move at their own pace, repeat classes as needed, and build strong, lasting fundamentals before moving on. The classes build on one another, but students with prior experience are welcome to step in at the level that best matches their skills. The series begins with Find Your Center: Clay Prep & Centering, focusing on preparing clay and establishing a solid foundation on the wheel. Building Up: Raising Walls & Form Control builds from there, teaching students how to pull even walls and shape intentional forms. Refining Forms: Trimming Fundamentals introduces trimming leather-hard work to improve balance, function, and finish. The series concludes with Surface & Finish: Glazing Basics, covering glaze application and surface choices. The final two classes include firings. Students are strongly encouraged to spend time practicing independently between classes to reinforce skills and build confidence at the wheel. The third class in the Throwing Basics series, this session focuses on refining leather-hard work through trimming. You’ll learn how to assess form, find balance, and trim feet that improve function and proportion. We’ll cover tool use, chucking methods, and common trimming mistakes. Students must bring previously thrown, leather-hard pieces to trim. Ideal for potters ready to elevate their forms with thoughtful finishing.

Community · Raleigh

Throwing Basics Series - Refining Forms: Trimming Fundamentals

Wear old clothes and closed-toe shoes, as the clay studio gets messy quickly.

When
This Wednesday
Wed, Sep 23, 2026
Wed., 6-8pm and Sat., 10am-noon
Where
ShopSpace
Raleigh, NC
Ages
Check ages with the venue
Price
$80
raleigh

Throwing Basics Series - Refining Forms: Trimming Fundamentals is a two-session pottery class focused on shaping, balancing, and finishing wheel-thrown clay pieces. Held at ShopSpace in Raleigh, this specific module teaches participants how to work with leather-hard clay to refine their vessels. This class costs $80 and takes place over two sessions: Wednesday evening from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Saturday morning from 10:00 AM to noon. It is designed for adults and older teens who have some basic wheel-throwing experience. ShopSpace provides all necessary tools and clay, but you should wear clothes you do not mind getting dirty and closed-toe shoes. Street parking is available near the studio. Taking a class structured in individual steps allows you to master one skill before moving on to glazing. The Wednesday and Saturday schedule fits easily into a busy week, making it a manageable way to carve out some creative time for yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need prior pottery experience for this class?
Yes, this specific class focuses on trimming leather-hard clay, so you should have some basic experience throwing pieces on the wheel before registering.
What is the cost and what does it include?
The class costs $80, which covers both the Wednesday evening and Saturday morning sessions, along with instruction, studio tools, and clay.

Last updated

$80

This Wednesday

Plan Your Visit

Schedule

Throwing Basics Series - Refining Forms: Trimming Fundamentals runs Wed, Sep 23, 2026, Wed., 6-8pm and Sat., 10am-noon.

Getting There

ShopSpace is at 1505 Capital Blvd., Ste 18, Raleigh, NC. Open in Google Maps.

More events at ShopSpace

What to Bring

  • Tickets or entry money — admission is $80

Community Guides

All guides →