I've been taking handbuilding pottery classes at another space in town but I wanted to try out…read morewheel throwing before committing to a full semester. My hand/eye coordination is not great (which is why I tend to gravitate towards sculpture and more controlled building) but wheel throwing is such an amazing artform I wanted to give it a shot, but I knew if I didn't enjoy it right off the bat that I didn't want to be stuck for weeks doing it. Luckily, Yourist offers a "try it out" wheel throwing session once a month and I was able to sign up for the May session along with my husband, cousin, and aunt. It was so fun to do this experience together with my family and I surprisingly took to the wheel pretty easily. During this session you're given a tutorial on the equipment then a demo with explanation of how to throw your own bowl, including posture, hand positioning, and tips for success. Then you're given three balls of wedged clay and are let loose to practice on your own as they instructors work the room to help you if you're struggling and cheer you on if you're doing well. You're then welcome to keep any three of the bowls you make and they'll fire and glaze them (based on your choice of glaze for each piece) for you for pick up a month later. First piece is $10 with every additional piece $5. I'm proud to say that I made 2 very nice bowls and one bowl that turned into more of a sake cup after I got too ambitious and the top of my bowl collapsed. But they all looked nice in their own way so I decided to keep all three. The glazes they have are really lovely, too, and make any piece, no matter how wonky (like my sad sake cup) look beautiful. I also found I loved the experience so much that for my next class I signed up for a hybrid wheel throwing and handbuilding class so I could get better at both. I also really enjoyed my time at this studio and have bookmarked several classes I'd like to take there in the future, including day workshops focused on specific topics. Once I feel confident enough in my foundational education I hope to also join the community workspace where, for a monthly fee, you have access to their studio to work independently. It's such a welcoming environment, I highly recommend checking it out!

This is a cool little studio. I was actually just stopping in at the convenience store that's in…read morethe same little strip mall and thought I'd stop in to see what Yourist was about. They have a tiny one-room gallery, but it's full of nifty pottery. Some of the items are mostly decorative, but the display also included useful items, like an olive oil/garlic plate, a soap holder, mugs and so on. There were many items for sale under $20 and even several under $10, and this would be a good place to pick up unique gift items for the artsy friend on your Christmas list. The other half of the Yourist building is a studio/art school. They offer classes for beginners and more advanced students, ranging from a beginner's class in throwing pottery on the wheel to a class in learning to glaze and paint the pottery you've already created. In addition to several classes for adults, they offer after-school kids clay classes as well, at pretty reasonable rates.

If you've been wanting to take a ceramics class, do it here!…read moreThe studio itself is wonderful, has all the supplies you need, and all that other good stuff. The best thing though might just be the people. A lot of really nice folks come here to do ceramics; everyone is very helpful and friendly. Lee and Dennison are also incredible teachers, and they really go out of their way to give you one-on-one instruction and help you learn what you'd like to learn. For classes, too, you can come in pretty much whenever you'd want to practice. This is by far the best studio policy hands down, especially if you work (other studios are more strict about when you can come in, how much clay you get, etc). And if you're practicing, Lee will come around and help you make improvements and teach you extra things you didn't learn in class time. Lee just really cares about his students, and that it so valuable. I already signed up for my second class. :)

I have been going to the Clay Work studio for three years now and I love it! The classes are…read moreamazing - jam-packed with info - but they also offer 'independent potter' status, which gives you access to the entire studio. And the other potters are amazing, eager to help, and full of useful information.

I absolutely love this place! I've been to their fund raiser and to a print class... and I just…read morecan't say enough great things about it. First, the people that work here genuinely love what they do... and it shows. They organize things PERFECTLY. It starts on time, is well-run, and the people that join in on these events are also just amazing. What a fun experience from start to finish. The parking nearby is a little rough on the weekends, obviously... but otherwise, this place is the best! Do a class, do an event... you won't be disappointed!

Family Fridays : painting soup mugs! So fun except for the little loudmouth jerk that won't STFU!…read more My little and had so much fun painting our mugs. It was a great experience to do this together. Two hour time was perfect. Good instruction and great supplies. I love the colors and getting creative though this is not my wheelhouse, it was still a lot of fun. Classes are very affordable. The instruction was great and gave me some ideas to play with layering. I had a little problem with using a gift card but they were great in the office to get us signed up and squared away. We'll definitely be back!

I booked a one-time pottery class at Speckles + Splatter with my friend for her birthday - she…read morelives within walking distance of this awesome shop and this shop is in such a prime area of Dearborn - just a block down and over from downtown Dearborn and very easily accessible! I found this shop through the recommendation of another friend who had done their 6-week course here where they learned how to throw clay and then got to spend the remainder of the time just making any and all pieces to their hearts desire! For our pottery class, it was definitely very beginner and with a few more guidelines/boundaries. We were all given a certain amount of clay and led through the basics of how to shape clay on a pottery wheel. From there, we were able to shape it up into general "pot" shapes. Unfortunately, this clay/glaze/method is not food-safe, so my dreams of making a little matcha bowl for myself were dashed! But I still had a super fun time getting reacquainted with pottery after my few weeks of pottery class in my senior year of college before I realized it was going to be a bit too much for me and dropped the course LOL! NOTE: I would highly recommend not doing this class if you've got long acrylics/longer nails! My nails were at their longest length (had been growing them out for about 2 months I believe?) and it made it extremely difficult to shape the clay! The instructor is super helpful no matter what and gives you tips and workarounds for people with long nails, but I'd just recommend cutting them short (if possible) before this class as I think I would've done a way better job if I had done that with mine! All in all though, the instructor is so knowledgeable about all the potential and actual pitfalls people might make during this class and is super helpful in general in calling these out before they happen or helping you fix your clay after you do! I really enjoyed this class and I think my friend did too! Her and her husband are interested, especially given how close they live to the studio, in doing the 6-week course/membership where you can throw to your heart's content and I really hope they do that! I would easily do it too if it weren't located this far from me, but I'm over here considering it regardless of the distance because I had that great of a time!

My husband brought my daughter & I here to paint pottery. It was a cool experience. You pick your…read morepiece, pay, receive instruction, find a seat & paint. The space is clean. They had a decent amount of options to choose from. It is not a quick project, so expect to spend some time here. Prices start around $25. We were told 1-2 weeks to pick up the final project. I can't wait to see it. I would go back & paint again. It would be cool for groups as well.

We definitely recommend coming to Ford City Potters for a creative, fun experience. Gisele Bick…read moreand Lisa Gabriele are awesome instructors. We have not done pottery since we were teens and in 2 hours, we created some amazing pieces . They were helpful, organized, friendly, and the work space was great. We cannot wait to come back and play again. Thank you so much for opening this wonderful place .

From the owner: Pottery is self-expression. Whether you're molding a mug, sculpting a vase, or crafting decorative…read morepieces, working with clay is the easiest, most satisfying way to bring your visions to life. The tactile nature of working with clay is deeply meditative, creating a deeper connection to your creative side. Stress Relief and Mindfulness: Pottery is more than just an art form; it's a therapeutic practice. It's true! It's science! The process of shaping, smoothing, and perfecting clay has proven to be incredibly calming. Working with clay might not burn the same amount of calories as yoga, but you can enter a state of mindfulness, reducing stress and tension from your busy life. Social Connection: It's hard to make new friends when you're older. But joining a pottery class is a fantastic way to meet new people and build a sense of community. We see it every day, people making new friends while making something with their hands. sharing tips, techniques, and stories with fellow potters. It's the sweetest thing.

This is a great experience in the area and happy I was able to attend a class. would definitely…read morerecommend

If you are looking for a wonderful community of artists who share your passion for pottery, the…read moreClawson Clay Guild is the place for you! The owners Holly and Richard are wonderful instructors and more importantly, incredibly knowledgeable and kind. They have a built a community together that welcomes everyone. There are many classes to choose from: wheel throwing for beginners, advanced students, hand building, and even raku !

All of David's pieces are beautiful and truly one of a kind. I'm lucky to own some of his work -…read moreone of his mugs is my favorite and I use it every time I make coffee. He prefers you to call ahead before stopping by the studio. Check him out if you're ever in the area! He also ships pottery if you can't make it in to the studio.

David is an amazing artist and teacher. Do your self a favor…read moreand buy his work you will love it for a life time! Also, you could not ask for a better teacher. Patient and fun!

I've been visiting Creative Arts Studio for months now and have been overjoyed every time pottery…read morepainting! The studio has many small and large tables to accommodate all types of groups. Premade pottery and paint line the walls; which you pick out. The staff do an excellent job assisting with paint recommendations and refilling materials as needed. You are charged for the price of the pottery item plus a Studio Fee. The Studio Fee is $8 for adults and $6 for children. After painting, you pick up your pottery items about a week later. During that week, your pottery goes through their kiln! I highly recommend pottery painting here! Such a creative activity for all ages. Let your imagination go wild!

Love this little gem! I've been a few times and each time I go I discover something new! It's a…read morecreatives dream spot to get lost and vibe! My friend and I made mosaics and then another friend and I painted some already crafted ceramics. Two completely different experiences and both equally enjoyable! The staff are friendly and always available to answer any questions.

Remember those ceramic Christmas trees that your mom/aunt/grandma used to trot out during the…read moreholidays? Before you let nostalgia overtake you and cause you to drop $100+ on a replica or a vintage version shipped from some hipster in Minnesota, I urge you to stop in at Bob & Hazel's to take a look at their original molds... and be prepared to have your mind blown. Until stopping in at Bob & Hazel's, I wouldn't have had a clue where to go for ceramics supplies or classes. When I first walked in, I was blown away by the sheer volume of molds- row after row of cool vases, statues, and of course those cute little Christmas trees. They have ceramic slip in bulk, as well as boxed clay, tools, glazes, and everything you need to make your own ceramic art. The lady working there mentioned that they have ceramics and pottery classes available on Wednesdays, though it sounded like those weren't written in stone. Best to call ahead to see if anything is scheduled. The biggest shock to me was that they will do the firing for you, from their molds or your own custom pours. I think the main reason I've never taken steps to get into ceramics is because the investment cost of a kiln is immense. Take that away, and ceramics are a pretty darn affordable hobby/craft, and much more interesting than all the crocheting and knitting I see filling the craft shows around town. This place is a hugely hidden treasure in downtown Pontiac. Come early, and know that it's closed on Sunday.

Lots of variety but couldn't find anyone to help. Did not see any mention of classes or cost for…read morefiring things. I really wanted to like this place . They do have a large assortment that is kind of expensive.

Liberty Athletic club is more expensive than most if not all other gyms in Ann Arbor, but I find it…read moreworthwhile, especially for families. The decor looks a bit dated compared to say the newly constructed L.A fitness - but the facilities are quite comprehensive - I use the strength training facilities, my partner makes use of the included fitness classes, and my kids love the indoor play area and pool, and great outdoor pool / recreation area during the summer. Great place to host birthday parties too. Hard to find this combo anywhere else. I also find that Liberty being independently owned leads to better service than I experienced at L.A Fitness and Planet fitness - the people who work at Liberty have often times been around for years and seem to care more. If you are a solo adult, the extra cost might be harder to justify. But for our family, this is hands down the best fitness club in Ann Arbor.

My husband and I have been members of Liberty Athletic Club for the last year and I have nothing…read morebut great experiences so far. In the last year they've been renovating quite a bit to update the spaces, equipment, etc, which has helped the overall vibe. They started by painting and reflooring the main workout room and are currently renovating and updating the indoor lap pool and hot tubs/saunas. The locker rooms are clean and the lockers are easy to use. The workout equipment is in great condition and even during their busiest times it's easy to get a treadmill or a bike. Plenty of TVs and things to keep you occupied with as well as you're huffing and puffing along. They have a few rooms for specialized classes--group fitness, spin and yoga. Now, I've only done the yoga classes so I can't comment on the others but the yoga classes I've attended were good (restorative yoga). I've always felt a million times better coming out than when I went in. There's a lot to do for families too. With a big kid's complex with a play area, rock climbing wall and indoor water park for fun during the winter months (also open in the summer). The outdoor complex is awesome and open Memorial to Labor Days. To be honest, this was the selling point for me. They have a few lap lanes for adult swimming (yes there are only two but I never had a problem getting a lap of my own this summer and I went several times a week) a bigger "play" area in that pool for the older kids/teens, and a splash/smaller pool for kids with a nice water slide. The outdoor cafe area has beverages, smoothies, frozen yogurt, and a few hot items for lunching. There's a small playground and even a few holes of mini golf in the complex as well. Plus outdoor tennis courts, of course. The club is big on tennis and they have a ton of courts inside as well. Plus classes, teams, and more. I feel like there's always a tennis club gathering when I'm there. There's a small indoor cafe as well with snacks, water, smoothies and such. They close around 7:30pm every day so it's more for lunch or a post-work pick me up before your workout. They have a small spa area upstairs with pedicures and massages. When you join you get a coupon for either or so I booked one and splurged on another. Great solitary environment. I had a beautiful pedicure and one of the best massages I've ever had. It's just a little pricey to do often, but if I could I would. It's definitely not a cheap membership, but I get a generous stipend from work for a fitness membership which covers most of the cost. If not for this I'm not sure I could swing it. But since I can, I try and make the most of my membership.