Throw-a-Pumpkin

Throwing

Throw-a-Pumpkin

Sessions Offered Daily

Get on the wheel and spin your own ceramic pumpkins. Make fall decor that's handmade by you.

$75.00

Per Project

Make fall decor you'll want to display year after year.

Try Throw a Pumpkin and experience the satisfaction of wheel-throwing your own seasonal decor. Learn to center clay and shape pumpkins on the pottery wheel with guidance from your instructor. Create classic pumpkins, stacked gourd vessels, or sculptural autumn pieces that are uniquely yours. Each creation is fired and ready for pickup. Return to add Color + Shine with seasonal glazes — warm oranges, rich autumn tones, or unexpected color combos. Make fall decor you'll want to display year after year. No experience needed — just a willingness to get centered.

All ages welcome. No experience needed.

AGE

All Ages

LEVEL

No Experience Needed

TIME

1 hour

Throw-a-Pumpkin

What You'll do

In this 1.5-hour wheel-throwing session, you'll learn to center clay and throw pumpkin-shaped vessels on the pottery wheel. Your instructor demonstrates proper wheel techniques, then guides you through creating your own seasonal pieces. Shape classic pumpkins, tall gourd vessels, stacked harvest decor, or autumn-inspired forms. Perfect for first-timers wanting to try the wheel or experienced throwers looking for seasonal inspiration.

You will throw your pottery using a pottery wheel.

Intro to the Wheel

Watch your instructor demonstrate wheel-throwing fundamentals — centering the clay, opening the form, and pulling up the walls. Learn hand positions and techniques specific to creating pumpkin shapes with rounded bodies and defined ridges. Your instructor breaks down each step so wheel-throwing feels approachable, even for complete beginners.

Throw Your Pumpkin

Get on the wheel and center your clay with hands-on guidance from your instructor. Shape your pumpkin form by pulling and shaping the walls, creating the classic rounded body. Add definition, ribbing, and organic curves that capture the essence of real pumpkins and gourds. Your instructor helps you troubleshoot and refine your technique throughout the process.

Add Seasonal Character

Create pumpkin ridges, add sculpted stems and leaves, or stack multiple forms for dramatic gourd towers. Personalize your piece with carved details, textured surfaces, or dimensional elements. Make each pumpkin as realistic, whimsical, or artistic as you envision. Your creation stays at the studio for drying and bisque firing (approximately 3 weeks).

Glaze in Autumn Colors

Return to glaze your wheel-thrown pumpkins in seasonal colors that bring your harvest decor to life. Choose classic pumpkin oranges, rich burgundies, harvest golds, deep greens, or go bold with unexpected color combinations. Glazing provides a glossy, finished look that elevates your handmade fall decor from homemade to heirloom-quality.

THINGS TO KNOW

One-hour wheel workshop
All tools, materials, and firing
Instructor guidance
Seasonal glaze options

You will get messy from the elbows down. So short sleeves or sleeves you can roll up are recommended. Don't wear watches or bracelets, rings are ok.

Keep in mind that you will need to straddle the pottery wheel, so leggings or comfortable pants are suggested.

Sometimes shoes can get splashed with water or clay so you can either take them off or wear shoes that you don't mind getting messy.

Clay doesn't typically stain clothes but we do have a limited number of aprons available if needed.

MAKING HANDMADE POTTERY TAKES TIME AND THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES!

Smashed Clay projects and experiences are designed using our proprietary method, techniques and tools to help jumpstart your project.

However, it takes years to learn the art of handmade pottery. While we hope your finished project turns out exactly as you envisioned, there is no guarantee that your handmade pottery will make it through the entire process and/or result in what you set out to make.

Thick pottery may take longer to dry. Pottery that is too thick, too thin or constructed in a manner that creates stress during the drying or firing process may crack, break or explode. Pottery can take 2-3+ weeks to dry, prepare and bisque fire. You can monitor the status of on our website.

Any pottery that will come in contact with food or drinks would need to be glazed and fired to seal the bisque and create a food and dishwasher safe finish. If you intend to use your pottery to hold water or if it will be exposed to the weather, you may also want to glaze your pottery.

Because our classes are group classes, you must arrive on time to fully participate in the experience. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late, we will be unable to integrate you into the class. Our late arrival policy is as follows:

If you arrive more than 15 minutes late, you can either:

Join the class at the midway point. You acknowledge that your time will be limited to the remaining class time. If you are participating in a couples challenge, you will only be able to make one project. No refunds will be given.
Reschedule for another time when seats are available. No refunds will be given.

Our studios have limited seating, so when you book an experience at Smashed, we hold the seat for you. We are a small business and depend on full classes to operate. We are unable to fill seats when customers cancel with short notice or don’t show up. For that reason, we cannot provide refunds if you do not show up or for appointments cancelled within 24 hours of your booked appointment.

Please review our refund policy here.

Throwing Experience

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