Beginner Workshops
Our Beginner Workshops are open for all levels of experience including first time potters!
These standalone workshops are a great introduction to working with clay. Start with foundational techniques for handbuilding such as pinch pots and slab building as well as carving and decorating to make your project uniquely yours.
Your pieces will be glazed and fired for you, then ready for pickup approximately 2–4 weeks after the workshop.
1-2 Days
Duration
Zero
Experience Needed
Vintage Tree
Clay & Glass: A Two Studio Experience
Presented by LoLo Studios, sister studios LOAM Clay Studio & Loretta Glass Studio, both located at 131 Loretta Avenue North, Ottawa, ON.
Celebrate the warmth and wonder of the season with this festive hands-on collaboration. In this cozy, full-day creative workshop, you’ll make a beautiful handmade ceramic Christmas tree adorned with custom glass ornaments and a glowing tree topper.
Start your day at Loretta Studios & Glass, where you’ll explore the art of torch-working soda lime glass. Using flame, gravity, and a few simple tools, you’ll craft delicate glass ornaments in your choice of colours — from jewel tones to frosted winter whites — and finish with a sparkling glass topper to crown your tree. You’ll learn how molten glass moves and solidifies as you form each ornament by hand, creating a one-of-a-kind collection of pieces that will shine for years to come.
Then, slip through the barn door to LOAM Clay Studio, you’ll be guided through slab-building techniques using pillow molds to shape the form, add surface detail, and prepare openings for the lights. Glazing options range from traditional green to clean modern whites or more playful finishes. Each tree will be uniquely yours — full of texture, warmth, and charm.
Enjoy a day immersed in creativity and collaboration as you explore two elemental materials — glass and clay, both transformed by fire and imagination.
Workshop Calendar
FAQ
Absolutely. Our workshops are designed for beginners and first-time potters. We’ll guide you through the process step-by-step.
We recommend wearing comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting a little messy. Aprons are provided.
Yes — clay is water-based and typically washes out easily in a regular laundry cycle.
Workshop lengths vary depending on the project and format. Most workshops range from 1–3 hours.
After your workshop, your pieces will be dried, glazed, and fired by our team. This process usually takes approximately 3–4 weeks.
Once your work is ready for pickup, we’ll send you an email notification. Please keep an eye on your junk or spam folder just in case our emails end up there.
If it’s been a few weeks and you haven’t heard from us, feel free to give us a call or send us an email — we truly don’t mind! Occasionally our pickup emails don’t make it through, and we’d much rather help reconnect you with your pottery than have it accidentally left behind.
At this time, pickup is available at the studio only. We do not currently offer shipping.
Yes. We offer private workshops for birthdays, team events, celebrations, and special gatherings. Reach out to us directly for availability and pricing.
Some workshops are family-friendly and suitable for younger makers. Look for the “Kid Friendly” label on workshop listings for age guidance.
Unless a workshop specifically includes glazing as part of a multi-day format, participants do not glaze their own pieces during workshops.
Most of our workshops are single-session experiences, and pottery needs to fully dry and go through an initial kiln firing before it can be glazed. Because of this, our team handles the glazing and finishing process for you after the workshop.
If you’re interested in learning the full pottery process — including trimming, glazing, and firing — we recommend one of our longer-format classes, where there’s more time to develop those skills.
Absolutely. Many participants attend workshops with friends, partners, family members, or coworkers.
