🌀 Masks are required during workshops for communal safety 🌀
To help keep our space safe, masks (N95 or KN95) are required for all workshops. Please bring your own—extras are available at the studio. Masks protect against airborne illness as well as clay and glaze dust.
Our property is ADA accessible, with a ramp available for the bathroom (3 steps). On-site parking and other accommodations are available—email us with any needs: info@sooki.studio.
Sliding scale pricing is a tool for social equity. We use sliding scale pricing to make ceramics education accessible and affordable.
There are three tiers for pricing, when signing up for a workshop, please pay on the scale what feels right to you and your current finances. This is a trust based system, only you will know what feels comfortable and possible.
The high end of the scale is the true cost. If you are someone who can afford to pay this, please do, as this offsets the price for others, allowing us to create more affordable offerings.
There are a set amount of spaces available per tier to ensure that the scale is balanced and workshop costs are covered. If a tier is sold out it means that all those spots have been spoken for. An interest free payment plan is available for all workshops, breaking the workshop cost down to smaller payments over a longer period of time.
We do our best to ensure workshops are accessible and affordable. We are continuously improving our pricing system, please reach out if you have any questions or ideas you'd like to share.
Workshops are non-refundable, but you may transfer your spot to someone else—just let us know in advance.
Students receive a 10% discount at Sooki Supply from the start to end date of the workshop.
Fridays, April 9, 16 & 23, 2027
11 AM–2 PM | Three Sessions
Sooki Studio · Frogtown, Los Angeles
Building large planters is one of my favorite ways to work with clay. They're both sculptural and functional, leaving lots of room for play. I like to think of the planter as a body and the plant as its hair.
Over three Friday mornings, I'll share the methods I've developed through my own practice for building large ceramic forms quickly and efficiently, while keeping them strong, structurally sound, and surprisingly lightweight.
We'll explore the relationship between form, scale, and structure, learning how to work intuitively with clay while understanding the technical considerations that make large-scale handbuilding possible.
Each student will create one large ceramic planter, with up to 50 pounds of clay included. We'll work through the building process together, from establishing a strong foundation and developing height and volume to refining surfaces and preparing our pieces for drying and firing.
This workshop is designed to give you the skills, knowledge, and confidence to approach larger ceramic forms independently. Whether you're looking to expand your existing practice or challenge yourself with something new, we'll make plenty of room for experimentation, questions, and learning through process.
Session 1 — Foundations & Form
Friday, April 9 · 11 AM–2 PM
We'll begin by exploring the fundamentals of large-scale handbuilding, including planning proportions, preparing clay, establishing strong foundations, and building efficiently. We'll focus on developing structure and understanding how to support larger forms as they grow.
Session 2 — Building Up and Out
Friday, April 16 · 11 AM–2 PM
We'll continue developing our planters, focusing on building height and volume while maintaining strength and managing weight. We'll explore reinforcement techniques, moisture management, and strategies for working efficiently with larger amounts of clay.
Session 3 — Finishing & Refining
Friday, April 23 · 11 AM–2 PM
In our final session, we'll complete our forms, refine surfaces and rims, address structural details, and prepare our pieces for slow, controlled drying.
Three 3-hour sessions (9 hours of instruction)
50 pounds of clay per student
Dedicated workspace and storage between sessions
Access to studio tools and equipment
Guidance on large-scale construction, structural integrity, and drying techniques
Firing of one large, unglazed ceramic planter
Individual guidance and plenty of room for questions
Additional clay will be available for purchase if needed.
Want to add color or a glazed surface to your planter? Join us for an additional three-hour glazing workshop where we'll explore glaze selection, application techniques, and considerations for glazing large ceramic forms.
We'll help you choose glazes that complement your piece and provide glaze samples for you to test before purchasing your own materials. Students will then glaze their planters with guidance throughout the process.
Glaze Materials & Estimated Cost
Students are responsible for purchasing their own cone 5-compatible brush-on glazes. Depending on the size of their planter and whether they choose to glaze the interior, exterior, or both, students should anticipate needing approximately 2–4 pints of glaze, with larger or fully glazed pieces potentially requiring more.
Brush-on glazes typically cost around $20–$30 per pint, bringing the estimated additional materials cost to $40–$120 per student.
We'll help students determine the appropriate glaze type and quantity based on their finished piece, so there's no need to purchase glazes before the workshop.
The $225 add-on includes the three-hour glazing workshop, bisque firing, and glaze firing.
Cost: $225, plus glaze materials
Duration: 3 hours
Availability: Limited to 4 students
Possible Workshop Dates:
Saturday, June 5, 2027 · 11 AM–2 PM
Friday, June 11, 2027 · 11 AM–2 PM
Saturday, June 12, 2027 · 11 AM–2 PM
The final date will be selected together with participating students during our last building session on April 23. Please ensure you are available for at least one of the proposed dates before registering.
Large ceramic forms require extended drying and firing times. The glazing workshop will take place once all participating planters have been successfully bisque fired. Dates may be adjusted if additional drying or firing time is needed.
We offer sliding-scale pricing to help make our workshops more accessible while supporting the continued operation of our studio.
$545 — Community Rate
For those who need a more accessible price point.
$625 — Standard Rate
Our standard workshop price.
$695 — Sustaining Rate
For those who can contribute a little more to support accessible programming at Sooki.
All three tiers include the same workshop experience, materials, and firing.
Payment plans are available.
Limited to 10 students to ensure plenty of individual attention and space to work.
Drying & Firing
Large ceramic forms require slow, careful drying and firing. Because of their size, finished pieces will remain at the studio after the workshop while they dry thoroughly before firing.
Drying and firing times will depend on the size and thickness of each piece, studio conditions, and kiln availability. We'll contact students when their planters are ready for pickup.
As with all ceramic work, cracking, warping, and other changes can occur during drying and firing, particularly with larger forms. We'll discuss ways to minimize these risks throughout the workshop, but successful firing cannot be guaranteed.
Experience
Some previous experience working with clay is recommended, although prior experience building large forms is not necessary. Students should feel comfortable working independently with basic handbuilding techniques.
Accessibility & Studio Policies
Masks are required during all indoor programming at Sooki. Our property is accessible, and a ramp is available upon request for access to the bathroom.
Workshop registrations are non-refundable. Transfers are permitted in accordance with our studio policies. Make-up sessions are not available.
Large-scale handbuilding is as much about understanding the material as it is about making something big. We'll work thoughtfully, experiment, problem-solve, and explore what becomes possible when we give ourselves the space to work at a larger scale.
I'm excited to share this part of my practice with you!
Dress in comfortable clothing you don't mind getting a little messy. All materials we use will not stain.
We’ve got all the tools and materials covered—just bring a notebook, some water, and any favorite clay tools you can’t live without.
We’ll have all the basics ready—tools, materials, water, tea, coffee, and a few light snacks to keep you going.
Experience levels vary from workshop to workshop—peek at the description to see if it’s the right fit, or reach out and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Yes! The studio is dog friendly. Visit Sooki Supply for a dog treat :)
Masks are required for all workshops to help keep our space safer and more accessible. You're welcome to work outside mask-free—just pop one on when coming in and out of the studio.
We bisque fire to cone 06 and glaze fire to cone 5.
Yes! You can learn more here.
You're welcome to take your piece home to continue working.
It depends on the workshop—we’ll note when they’re family-friendly. You're always welcome to bring your child along.
Receive special offers and first look at upcoming programing.
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