About Claybodies

Claybodies is a community educational ceramic project, founded by Phyo Win, to share her love for ceramics with the community by offering serene ceramic handbuilding experiences in beautiful natural venues around Los Angeles. Our goal is to encourage and foster connection with nature, with each other and with creativity through the therapeutic and joyful act of playing with clay.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, Claybodies provides handbuilding workshops in a welcoming, safe and accessible environment for anyone to create beautiful ceramic pieces, connect with others and slow down.

Benefits of Claybodies

Fosters & Encourages Connection

Whether you’re looking to ground yourself in nature, reignite your creative spark, spend quality time with someone or forge new, meaningful bonds, Claybodies offers an inviting and nurturing sanctuary for all these explorations. You'll be in the good company of like-minded individuals, sharing laughs, stories, and the joy of creation.

Beginner Friendly

Our hands-on ceramic workshops are designed to immerse you in the therapeutic art of handbuilding. Depending on the workshops, you will be led through special or time-honored techniques such as pinching, coiling, and slip-and-score, all within a tranquil and supportive environment. We ensure that each participant, regardless of skill level, receives the support needed to create a meaningful piece of art.

Art Therapy

At Claybodies, we believe in the healing power of art. Our workshops serve as a form of art therapy, offering a mindful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Each workshop is a journey into mindfulness, encouraging you to be fully present in the moment. With each pinch, coil, and stroke of clay, you're not just creating art—you're fostering mental well-being, reducing stress, and nurturing your inner peace.

The Journey of Your Ceramic Creation

Stage 1: Raw State of Clay

This is where your creative journey begins. During our workshop, you’ll be introduced to clay in its most natural, raw state — malleable, responsive and full of potential to be molded into your creation.

Stage 2: Drying & First Firing

After the session, I will carefully transport and dry your pieces slowly. This stage is crucial for ensuring the structural integrity of your piece. Once dry, it undergoes the first firing, known as bisque firing, which sucks out all the moisture and transforms it from clay into ceramic.

Stage 3: Glazing & Second Firing

The magic continues after the bisque firing when I glaze your piece. Think of this as coloring your ceramic piece. The second firing, known as glaze firing, is where the glaze melts and fuses to the ceramic, giving your piece its final form and function. This process not only enhances the visual appeal but also makes the ceramic food-safe and more resilient.

Stage 4: It’s Ready!

Finally, the time arrives to collect your finished piece. At this point, your creation has been transformed, step by step, from a humble lump of raw clay into a functional and artistic ceramic vessel—a true testament to the wonder of human creativity combined with the natural world.

 Common Questions

  • Of course! Claybodies sessions are beginner-friendly and no previous experience with ceramics is required. The techniques we teach are easy to grasp and our aim is to provide a space where you can explore freely. We'll guide you through every step of the process, ensuring you have all the support you need to bring your unique vision to life in clay.

  • You can expect a calm and creative experience as you're guided through handbuilding techniques to create your own ceramic piece. You will learn specialized or traditional techniques (depending on the workshop) and you will have the support and freedom to create a unique piece that’s truly yours.

  • Each Claybodies session is designed to provide a comprehensive and hassle-free experience, ensuring you can focus solely on your creativity and well-being. Your participation includes access to all the essentials: high-quality clay, specialized tools, and a range of supplies for your creative endeavors. You'll receive step-by-step instruction, guidance, and support throughout the session to ensure your creative journey is fulfilling and educational.

    After the session, I will take care of the intricate and lengthy processes involved in bringing your creation to life. This includes drying, bisque firing, glazing, and glaze firing your piece, all expertly handled to ensure the end result is a beautiful, functional work of art. Once your piece is ready, it will be available for pick up or shipping, leaving you with a lasting memento of your Claybodies experience.

  • Your finished piece needs to go through a long and meticulous process to become a durable, food-safe ceramic. This process takes time and you can expect to receive your one-of-a-kind creation approximately a month after the session. Once your piece is ready, we will email with you about the specific pick-up or delivery arrangements to ensure you receive your piece in a convenient and timely manner.

    I will hold pieces for 4 weeks once you’re notified they’re ready. If no response is sent to us within 4 weeks, pieces will be donated to find new homes.

  • Our sessions are held in various beautiful parks and natural spaces around Los Angeles to celebrate the beauty of the nature we have access to. These idyllic settings provide the perfect backdrop for our workshops, allowing you to connect deeply with nature as you engage in the artistic process. On occasion, we also collaborate with stylish, design-forward stores and spaces to bring you a different but equally inspiring setting for our workshops. Each location is carefully selected to enhance your experience.

  • Life can be unpredictable and we totally get that! If your plans change and you need to cancel, we'll happily refund 50% of the reservation price as long as you let us know more than 5 days in advance of the session. This policy allows us to accommodate others who may wish to participate and covers the costs of pre-arranged materials and preparations. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

  • Yes! Claybodies sessions provide the perfect setting for a memorable and creative gathering. Whether it's a birthday, anniversary, or corporate team-building event, our hands-on pottery workshops offer a unique way to celebrate and bond. The peaceful atmosphere of working with clay in a natural setting encourages relaxation, fosters creativity, and promotes authentic connections. Whether you're looking to focus on a particular ceramic technique or want an intimate setting for a special occasion, we'll work closely with you to create a customized session. Please reach out to us for availability and pricing details.