All Work and No Clay: Peace Through Pottery

Let’s face it: life can get a little messy. And so can your mind! You’ve tried yoga, meditation, and even that one app that promised to cure your stress with rain sounds. But have you tried sticking your hands into a gooey lump of clay? No? Well, buckle up, because pottery might just be the chaotic, muddy therapy you never knew you needed.

You’re probably thinking, “Pottery? Isn’t that just for people who collect cat figurines and drink herbal tea?” Sure, maybe. But it’s also for anyone who’s fed up with the daily grind and needs an excuse to make a mess that no one can yell at you for.

“Clay is stubborn,” says our resident pottery guru and part-time clay whisperer, Cynthia. “It’ll teach you patience, whether you like it or not. You have to work with it, not force it.” Translation: be prepared to get schooled by a piece of dirt.

The first time you sit down at the wheel, you’ll probably think you’re in control. You’re not. The clay will wobble, slip, and possibly collapse into something that looks like it belongs in a modern art gallery—but not in a good way. But that’s the beauty of it. Pottery teaches you to embrace the chaos, to laugh at the mess, and to find creativity in the most unexpected places.

And speaking of creativity, you’ll start with the basics. No, you won’t be making that Pinterest-worthy vase right away. First, you’ll learn to tell the difference between soft clay, leather-hard clay, and clay that’s so dry it could double as a brick. Then comes wedging, which basically involves kneading the clay into submission so it’s ready to work with. It’s like bread-making but without the carbs.

Next, you’ll dive into hand-building. Sounds fancy, right? It’s not. Pinching is literally what it sounds like—you pinch the clay until it starts to resemble something, anything. Coiling is where you pretend you’re making a pot, but really, you’re just stacking ropes of clay and hoping for the best. And slab building? That’s where you roll out flat pieces of clay, cut them up, and assemble them like a 3D puzzle, only messier.

Finally, there’s the pottery wheel. Once you’ve gotten a feel for the clay (and accepted that it’s the boss), you’ll try throwing. Spoiler alert: it’s not as easy as it looks in the movies. Your first few attempts might result in something that looks like it belongs in a landfill, but eventually, you’ll start to see the magic.

So if you’re looking for an escape from your daily routine—something that’s equal parts frustrating and satisfying—pottery might just be your ticket. And lucky for you, Claying Around, our countryside pottery getaway in Titwala is the perfect place to start. Whether you’re a first-timer or just looking to make something that isn’t a spreadsheet, this workshop’s got it all. Who knows? You might just find that making a mess is the most peaceful thing you’ve done in a while!

Elton Mendonce