Hand Building Taster · No commitment
Slow down. Make something by hand.
Three hours with your hands in the clay and your phone in your bag. No wheel, just your hands and a few tools, an instructor at the table, five students at most, and a piece you shaped yourself, glazed and fired.
$75 + HST · $84.75 total · You pick your class after checkout
Better with a friend. Book up to 6 tasters at once, choose the same class and work side by side.
- Only your favourite piece is glazed by our staff, and fired twice
- Love it? 20% off any hand building package for 7 days after your class
- Next hand building class: Sun, Nov 1 · 11 AM
11 more classes open in the next 4 weeksLive from our booking calendar
- 4.8 on Google
- 1,000+ students taught
- Card, Apple Pay or Google Pay
“Even in the very first session, I made great progress.”
Why people come
When did you last make something with your hands?
Most of us spend the day on a screen, then unwind on another one. Clay needs both hands and all of your attention, so for three hours there is no room for email, scrolling or tomorrow's to-do list. You leave with clay on your sleeves, a clear head, and something you made yourself.
How the taster works
- 1Book your tasterPay online and your booking code arrives by email straight away. Coming with friends? Book up to 6 at once and everyone gets their own code.
- 2Pick your classAny open hand building class in the next 30 days. There are 4 every week, daytime and evening. With friends, pick the same class and you'll work side by side.
- 3Three hours at the tableYour instructor shows you pinching, coiling and slab work, then helps you shape a piece of your own: a cup, a small bowl or a dish.
- 4Choose your favouriteOur staff glaze it and fire it twice. It's ready to collect in about 3 to 4 weeks.
Made here
Where your first class can lead
Every piece here was made by students in our classes, then glazed and fired in our kilns. It all starts with three hours and a lump of clay.
Before you decide
What's holding you back?
The doubts we hear most, with straight answers. Tap the one on your mind.
“I'm not creative.”
You don't need to be. Pinching, coiling and slab work are skills, and skills are taught. Your instructor shows you each step, then helps you while you make your own piece.
How the class works“Wheel or hand building?”
Hand building is the calmer one: no spinning wheel, just your hands, a few tools and lots of room for detail like handles, carving and texture. It's a great first class if the wheel feels like a lot.
See what students make“I'd be going on my own.”
Coming alone is completely normal here. Five people at most around one table, and conversation comes easily when everyone's hands are muddy. Or bring up to 5 friends and make something side by side.
Read what students say“Is $75 worth it?”
It's three hours with an instructor, clay, tools and an apron, and your favourite piece glazed and fired twice by our staff. You leave with a new skill and something you made.
What happens after“Why not just buy a package?”
You can. The taster is for anyone who wants to try it first. If you love it, you get 20% off any hand building package for 7 days after your class.
See the 20% upgrade“When would I even go?”
There are 4 hand building classes every week, daytime and evening. You choose yours after checkout, any open class in the next 30 days.
See the schedule
The practical bits
How does the Hand Building Taster work?
It's one 3-hour hand building class for $75 + HST: clay, tools and an apron are included and an instructor guides you through pinching, coiling and slab work. You'll make a piece or two, and your favourite one is glazed by our staff (both firings included). If you love it, you get 20% off any hand building package for 7 days after your class. Coming with friends? Choose how many people at checkout, up to 6, and everyone gets their own booking code.
What happens after my taster?
Within about 20 minutes of your class ending, we email you a personal link for 20% off any hand building package, open for 7 days. If you continue, you glaze your taster piece yourself in your next class. If not, our staff finish your favourite piece and it's ready to collect in about 3 to 4 weeks.
What if something comes up?
Reschedule or cancel any session up to 48 hours before it starts at no charge, and the class goes back on your package to rebook.
What should I wear?
Clothes you don't mind getting a little clay on, and closed shoes. Aprons are provided.
Inside the studio
A studio made for slowing down
Plants on the shelves, tea on the table, wheels by the window, and shelves full of pieces waiting for the kiln. It feels less like a class and more like an afternoon at a friend's place.
After your taster
Love it? Keep going for 20% less
Within about 20 minutes of your class ending, we email you a personal link: 20% off any hand building package, open for 7 days.
- Finish what you started: glaze your taster piece yourself
- Same small groups and instructors, at any open class time
- Make mugs, bowls and dishes like the ones above
Your taster price on hand building packages
- 2 classes$179$143.20
- 4 classesMost chosen$279$223.20
- 8 classes$489$391.20
Prices + HST.
Already know you want more? 4 hand building classes are $237.15 + HST (15% off until December 15)
When you can come
Hand building classes every week
4 hand building classes a week, daytime and evening. After checkout you pick any open one in the next 30 days.
Every week
Monday
11 AM – 2 PMHand buildingTuesday
6 PM – 9 PMHand buildingWednesday
2 PM – 5 PMHand buildingSunday
Weekend
11 AM – 2 PMHand building
Every class is 3 hours, with 5 students at most.
Why start now
Next month won't be any less busy
There is always a reason to wait, and that's how a hobby you've wanted for years stays on the list. The people who start are the ones who pick a date.
- Seats are limitedEvery class is capped at 5 or 6 people, and weekend classes book up weeks ahead.See the weekly schedule
- Handmade in time for the holidaysPieces are ready about 3 to 4 weeks after your last class. Finish by Nov 26 and what you make can be a holiday gift.
- You pick the date laterChoose your class right after checkout and move it free up to 48 hours before. The only decision today is to start.How booking works
- Next hand building class: Sun, Nov 1 · 11 AM
11 more classes open in the next 4 weeksLive from our booking calendar
Meet Marjan
Marjan is a ceramic artist with more than 30 years of experience and the founder of Lemarsis Pottery Studio. She has taught more than 1,000 students and has collaborated with Toronto's Gardiner Museum. Her approach is calm and encouraging, and it's about the joy of making, not perfection.
With only 5 or 6 students per session, everyone gets real one-on-one attention, whatever their level.
Find the studio
Lemarsis Pottery Studio1110 Finch Ave W, Unit 8
North York, ON M3J 3M2
Free parking, close to the TTC, wheelchair accessible entrance.
Come make something by hand
Three hours at the table with an instructor beside you, and your favourite piece glazed and fired by our staff. $75 + HST, and 20% off a hand building package if you fall for it.
Book my taster