We have been asked SOOOOOOO many times "Can we make our own pottery here?". Well, we are happy to say YES YOU CAN with The Mad Potter at Seize the Clay. Every Sunday from 1-6 pm Customers may make a reservation to come into the studio and get their hands dirty with CLAY! The Mad Potter boasts lots of options for all ages and skill levels.

Learn the POTTERS WHEEL
Have you always wanted to give the potters wheel a try? Well here is your chance. Our Pottery teachers are ready to show you the basics of wheel throwing. In a 2 1/2 hour lesson you will begin to experience the wheel by focusing on centering the clay and throwing cylinders. Cylinders are the building block to which most forms are created from. Throwing on the wheel is a skill that takes time and much practice.. By the end of the lesson you should have 4-6 "keepers" that you can glaze and paint after the bisque firing. Cost for a 2 1/2 hour lesson is $75 and includes: Clay, Equipment, Tools, Instruction, 1st "bisque" firing, Painting/glazing as well as the final firing. Lesson times are either 1-3:30 or 3:30-6. Great for ages 9 and up. Remember All Mad Potter lessons are by appointment only, call 901-323-2991 to sign up.

HAND BUILDING is fun and easy
Hand building is the art of creating both functional and sculptural objects out of clay without using a potters wheel. The options are limitless. You can create, cups, plates, bowls, flower pots, vases, decorative sculptures, boxes, ANYTHING! $45 buys you 6 pounds of clay OR for $75 you can go crazy and make LOTS of pottery with 12lbs of clay (we are not kidding, you can make so many cool things with 12lbs of clay). Both fees are all inclusive and include studio time which includes, instruction, tools and equipment, the 1st "bisque" firing, painting/glazing and the final firing of the pottery.  The Hand-building studio fee cover up to 3 people (there is a $7 studio fee for each person after 3). Hand building is great fun for you if you just want to get out of the house and be creative or bring in your friends and have a clay day. Hand building is also great for families to create together. Lesson times are either 1-3:30 or 3:30-6. Remember All Mad Potter lessons are by appointment only, call 901-323-2991 to sign up.

Earn Your Boy or Girl Scout Badges at The Mad Potter
The Mad Potter @ Seize the Clay is the best place to earn your ceramics badge. Scouts will learn about the history of clay while we create a pinch bowl and a small sculpture of your choice. Once we are finished making our piece we will have a talk about firing clay and tour the firing facilities in the studio. In 2 weeks your pieces will be "bisque" fired and ready to paint. Price is $15 per scout and must be booked 2 weeks in advance.

MORE MAD POTTER Info
Q: I already know how to throw on the wheel can I rent time?
A: Yes, but you have to purchase your clay from us. $60 buys 12 lbs of clay and includes all of the firings, using our paints and glazes. Seize the Clay will fire your pottery for you. There will be no instruction if you choose this option and you may schedule wheel time Tuesday thru Thursday and Fridays before 6pm (you may not make reservations Saturday and Sundays). Remember All Mad Potter sessions are by appointment only, call 901-323-2991 to sign up.

Q: Can I fire my own pottery in your kilns?
A: You can rent the kilns for $60 per load. A STC staff member will load your pottery and it must be picked up the following day. We do not fire above cone 06. STC customer pieces are our first priority so kiln rentals must work around the firing schedule in the studio. Kilns may not be rented in the months of May, November and December due to High Holiday volume.

Q: Can I press my child's hand in to clay?
A: Yes, for $20 we will roll out a slab for you to press your child's hand in. This price includes both firings and painting/glazing. Please know that clay does shrink about 10% so the hand print will be slightly smaller.

Q: Do you have pottery wheel classes that meet more than once?
A: Yes, we do. Our 2 week pottery class which meets 4 times is $250.00 per person (a savings of $50 over doing 4 private lessons). Our 3 week pottery wheel class which meets 6 times is $350 per person (a savings of $100 over doing 6 private lessons). All supplies, equipment, firings and instruction are included. This class is an in depth pottery wheel class for the beginner, learn to throw bowls, plates and mugs. Class meets Monday and Wed. from 6:30-9pm.

Call 901-323-2991 to make your reservations for The Mad Potter