Shaping More Than Clay: Lessons Learned as the Wheel Turns

3D pottery classes may seem like nothing more than making a mess with clay, but under the surface of dirty aprons and meltdowns from denting your perfect pot, lies a sanctuary. This retreat offers a rare chance to mold not just the clay you hold, but valuable life lessons that will last long after you’ve left the pottery studio. As the world turns, the wheel spins, and our works are molded, the lessons of patience and persistence emerge.

The first lesson, patience, is the essence of pottery. Creating artworks out of clay is a slow process; even the most minor items take a long time to complete. Each step requires time and love, from molding the clay on the wheel to firing, painting, and refiring. Students quickly learn that pottery is not a process to be rushed, but a craft carefully built layer on layer. 

Like the student who shapes their clay, life requires us to mold our experiences patiently. Like the clay, we continuously work to shape ourselves, which takes a long time. Our lumps of clay need constant care and adjustments, as do we. In a world where we are constantly speeding through life, pottery offers an adjustment, a valuable lesson: good things take time, and the process we go through is as important as the outcome. 

One of the most rewarding and frustrating lessons from pottery is learning how to approach mistakes. It’s unavoidable: clay cracks, breaks, and our pieces don’t always turn out how we want them to. However, we learn not to give up, which is the stepping stone to improvement. The mindset of embracing challenges in pottery and being okay with starting over can be applied in many aspects of life. When things do not go according to plan, persistence keeps us focused as we keep pushing forward. 

Pottery is so much more than making cups out of clay. It teaches us life lessons that will carry us long into the future. So the next time you see a mug or a bowl, remember that it is not just a piece of clay but an advocate for the lessons learned along the way. 

Like the person who shapes their clay, we shape our lives, one step at a time. 

Teagan K, Allard, ‘25