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La Mesa, California

Outdoor Hand-building Pottery Classes

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hand-building
/ˈhan(d)ˌbildiNG/
noun
1. the process of shaping clay and creating pottery or ceramic objects using only your hands and basic tools, without the use of a mechanized potter's wheel

My hand-building pottery sessions take place outdoors, offering a relaxed alternative to a traditional studio setting. Natural light, fresh air, and the sounds of the outdoors create an easygoing environment that helps you settle in, focus on the clay, and enjoy the process of making something by hand.

❋ Group Classes

You’ll learn core techniques while having space to move at your own pace and follow your creative curiosity. Group classes are capped at 6-8 people to keep the space comfortable and well-supported

❋ Date Nights

A shared creative experience designed for connection, play, and presence. You’ll work side by side and slow down together.

❋ Private Lessons

One-on-one instruction tailored to your goals and experience level. Ideal for focused learning and undivided attention.

❋ Workshops

Pottery experiences centered on creativity, wellness, and community connection. Designed for museums, galleries, schools, retreat spaces, and private venues.

All classes include beginner friendly hand-building instruction and are designed to feel un-rushed and supportive. You’re not just making art, you’re caring for your mind and body. 

What to Expect
Settle in & choose a project

15 mintues

Step-by-step instructions

15 minutes

Hands-on creation time

1.5 hours

Your piece(s) will dry, then be bisque fired through a third-party studio. Before your class ends, you’ll choose one glaze color for your piece(s), and I’ll take care of the glazing for you once the first firing is complete. Your pottery will then go through a second and final firing, and I’ll contact you when it’s ready for pickup.

Please note: Firing timelines are determined by the third-party studio and vary depending on kiln availability and the volume of work they are processing. Each firing may take several weeks, and sometimes a month or longer, so exact completion dates cannot be guaranteed.
Book a Class

Meet Your Instructor

I’m Aeryn: a certified mind-body practitioner, nervous system educator, and someone who’s walked the long road of trauma and chronic illness recovery. I fell in love with clay during a time when my body was craving slowness, gentleness, and permission to let go of perfection.

What I love most about my classes is the way people begin to open up without even realizing it. Once people settle in and attention shifts from their head to their hands, conversations unfold about life, curiosity, fear, healing, strange ideas, and big questions we don’t always get to ask elsewhere. I’ve heard everything from deeply personal stories to alien theories and all that is in between. There’s a sense of safety here that allows people to soften, speak freely, and connect, often without meaning to. And that, to me, is even more meaningful than what’s made with clay.

Scenes from the Studio

Butterfly hovering near an outdoor ceramics setup in a La Mesa pottery garden
Hands shaping soft clay during beginner-friendly San Diego pottery workshop
Handbuilding with clay using leaves and natural textures at a La Mesa ceramics class
Swallowtail butterfly resting near a backyard pottery studio in La Mesa, California

  • "This is so therapeutic."

    β€” At least one person in every class

  • "The patio setting for the class was the perfect place to get your creativity on. 10 out of 10!!"

    5 star Google review from Kyle G.

  • "I had the best time at Aeryn’s pottery studio- her space is so serene and beautiful and I was impressed by how relaxing the process was."

    5 star Google review from Sophia R.

  • "What stood out most to me was how cathartic the class felt."

    5 star Google review from Mags M.

Verified Google Reviews

More From Aeryn

an online nervous-system education and holistic space offering adjunct support to complement existing medical care for people with complex chronic conditionsβ€”especially for those whose symptoms persist despite normal labs and traditional treatments. Designed to help your body become more receptive to the medical care you’re already receiving.

Resonant Bodyβ„’

Learn more

FAQs

For Participants

  • All materials are provided regardless of class type. Just wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little messy.

  • All classes are 2 hours.

  • All classes take place in a private backyard pottery studio located in La Mesa, California. The exact address is provided after booking & payment is processed.

  • Yes. I offer private lessons only or small (5 max) group lessons for children.

  • Not at all. These beginner-friendly pottery classes are designed for adults with no prior experience. You'll be guided through basic hand-building techniques in a relaxed, pressure-free environment.

  • Hand-building is a pottery method where you create pieces using only your hands, simple tools, and basic techniques like pinching, coiling, and slab-building. It’s accessible, intuitive, and great for beginners because you have more time and control over the clay.

    Throwing, on the other hand, uses a pottery wheel and requires more coordination and practice, and the learning curve is steeper.

  • Most pottery studios are designed for efficiency: bright fluorescent lighting, large groups, and fast-paced instruction meant to keep people moving. My studio is intentionally the opposite.

    Classes are held in a quiet backyard studio with natural light, fresh air; all sensory inputs that help the nervous system settle. The pace of instruction is slower and more responsive, allowing participants to work without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

    I also bring a background in mind–body education into the way I teach: gentle guidance, thoughtful pacing, an emphasis on comfort and accessibility for all bodies, and no pressure to engage socially beyond what feels natural.

    People often describe the experience as therapeutic, not because I’m doing anything clinical, but because the environment and teaching style support a different kind of creative presence than most studios offer.

  • All classes include one hand-building session, glazing (single color), and both bisque and glaze firings.

  • Cancellations made at least 24 hours in advance are eligible for a full refund or credit toward a future class. Due to the small size of each session, I’m unable to offer refunds for late cancellations or no-shows.

  • Yes. The space is paved with no stairs, and there’s enough room for wheelchairs, mobility aids, or any other accessibility needs. If you have specific questions or want to make sure you’ll be comfortable, feel free to reach out, I’m happy to talk through any accommodations or details ahead of time.

  • Yes and it’s queer-owned. All bodies, backgrounds, and identities are welcome here.

    Medicine & The Muse is committed to cultivating safety, softness, and respect for everyone.

    If you’re queer, trans, BIPOC, neurodivergent, or navigating any form of marginalization, know that this space was created with you in mind.

    If you have specific needs or concerns you'd like to discuss before booking, you’re always welcome to reach out.


  • Classes are designed with trauma awareness and nervous system safety in mind. The pace is slow, the environment is low-pressure, and there’s no expectation to socially engage or perform. You’re always welcome to move, take breaks, or simply observe if that feels right, no questions asked.