Getting Creative During COVID: A Virtual Couples Pottery Class in LA With Still Life Ceramics

Reaching the end of your Netflix watch list at this point during coronavirus lockdown? Even if businesses are starting to slowly open up across the US, Kevin and I are proceeding with caution. But rather than just sitting around and watching more TV, we felt like getting a little creative this past weekend. Okay, more accurately, I was ready to get crafty! And signed us up for a virtual couples pottery class in LA with Still Life Ceramics.

While Kevin can draw a pretty convincing cartoon character dog, he isn’t really the artistic type. But he’s always down for an adventure. Luckily, the instructors are totally patient and can work with students of any experience. Good thing, since we have virtually none. We joined Still Life Ceramics for a private 1-on-1 virtual pottery class ($45 per person) where we created some pretty awesome mugs. Check out our full review where we give a rundown on how the process works and what you’ll need (beyond a bottle of wine to sip along).

What do you Need for Your Private Couples Pottery Class?

Arranging a virtual pottery class with Still Life Ceramics couldn’t be any easier. They offer a variety of courses online, including their popular “Rosé and Clay” class held every Friday at 5 PM, live on Instagram (@stilllifeceramics) with artist Sasha Wachtel. All you need to do is order from Rappahannock Oyster Bar, selecting the “Package” option from the menu. It is $35 and includes a bottle of wine and a pound of clay. We recommend adding in a second pound of clay for $5 for a quarantine buddy to join in.

One thing to note is that you must place your orders between 12 – 8 PM (any day except Monday) on Rappahannock’s Caviar listing. If you try outside that window, you won’t be able to complete your purchase. We don’t live too far from Downtown LA so we just picked it up from their storefront location, inside The Row DTLA.

You got the clay… You got the wine, so you’re nearly ready to go. Other items to have on hand include a rolling pin, a Brillo pad, 2 knives, leaves from a tree (for the pottery design) and some cloth napkins to cover your rolling surface. Don’t do what we did — tried rolling it out on the marble counters. It rolled out smooth, but the clay stuck solid like Sticky Glue to the counters. Don’t worry, it won’t stain!

Clay Class Time: What to Expect

Now full disclosure, we took a pottery class a few years back at another pottery studio in LA. It was a little more advanced, where we used a wheel to make ceramic bowls. And well, let’s just say, Kevin’s came out looking like “one of a kind.” Though, I personally loved how the instructor tried to frame it by saying that it was so unique, someone couldn’t even make that bowl if they tried. Now that’s one positive spin!

Even if you’re not a crafty person, you’ll be able to follow along the step-by-step instructions with this virtual ceramics class. Instructor Sasha Wachtel has worked with clay since she was introduced to wheel throwing at the age of 12. She also trained as an art historian, and worked in New York City’s art gallery scene before making her way out to LA. So she knows her stuff on style and design.

In 5 Simple Steps, You’ll Have a Mug

The “Rosé and Clay” classes last about 1 hour total and the private ones can go a little longer if your private party includes newbies like us.

Step #1: Roll out the clay. Sasha explained the first step is just like baking. And it really was as we rolled the clay into a thin oval shape. It felt like I was making cutout cookies rather than a mug.

Step #2: A fun foraging activity outside. I’m down for this one. Sasha suggested picking some leaves to be the pattern in our ceramic mugs. We were staying in an Airbnb in Lake Arrowhead, and had no shortage in supply of Pine Trees.

Step 3: Cut out the mug pattern. This was one of the more vital steps in the process. We carefully used the tip of the knife to cut out a large rectangle and pressed the pine tree leaves into the clay.

From here, things started moving quickly. Step #4: Rough up the edges of the clay with a Brillo Pad and add water. The pieces magically start to lock together and it starts looking like a mug. If we can do this, anyone can clearly!

Step #5: There was one optional last step if you like a handle for your mug. We’re mug traditionalists, so wanted to include that for sure.

And voila, in about 1 hour, you’ll have the final piece completed.

After your mug dries completely, you just need to drop it off at Still Life Ceramics’ studio where they’ll fire and glaze it. And there you have it. Another fun and creative quarantine activity from home.

THE LOW DOWN:

• Still Life Ceramics offers private parties ($45 per person), perfect for a couples pottery class, and weekly courses including their popular 1-hour “Rosé and Clay” class ($35) held every Friday at 5 PM, live on Instagram (@stilllifeceramics) with artist Sasha Wachtel.
• For “Rosé and Clay,” order directly from Rappahannock Oyster Bar, selecting the “Package” option from the menu.
  • It is $35 and includes a bottle of wine and a pound of clay.
  • We recommend adding in a second pound of clay for $5 for a quarantine buddy to join in.
• Check out Still Life Ceramic’s full class schedule online here.

Looking for other fun activities to do in LA while you’re still stuck at home? We recommend a double date night with a virtual Napa Valley wine tasting from the comfort of your home. Still looking for ideas? Check out our other recent top picks including a drag queen, sangria making class or a cheese tasting class from New York’s famed Murray’s Cheese Shop. And if you’re still looking for ideas, check out all our quarantine ideas here, including some of the best hidden staircase climbs and hikes in LA.