Making Friends at Pottery Class (Even If Talking Freaks You Out)

I don’t think I’ve met a single new member who hasn’t felt a tiny bit awkward when they walked into their first pottery class. You’ve got your apron, your first bag of clay, your fresh notebook, and there you are... silently wondering what you’re supposed to say to the person sitting across from you at the work table. Sometimes that feeling lasts for weeks or months.

If that’s you, please hear this: you are not alone. At The Clay Hole, most people aren’t natural extroverts. A lot of our members are introverted, creative, or just burned out on trying to connect in places that never really felt like “them.” And I get that.

But what I also know is this—when people do talk, when someone dares to say *just one sentence* to break the silence, something shifts. A new connection starts. And sometimes that connection turns into the kind of friendship that makes your whole week better.

So this blog post is a little love letter to the quiet ones. The shy ones. The anxious ones. The people who want community but aren’t quite sure how to build it. Here’s how to start.

Just Ten Seconds of Courage

That’s all you need. Not an hour-long conversation. Not a perfectly timed joke. Just ten seconds of courage to say something to the person next to you. Because the odds are—they want to say something, too. They just haven’t figured out how yet.

I’ve seen friendships form over a shared bucket of clay water. Over a laugh about a bowl that flopped. Over a compliment about someone’s mug. It’s rarely big. It’s usually small. And small things grow.

Things You Can Actually Say (Without Feeling Weird)

If you need actual words to use (because let’s be honest, that’s the hardest part), here are some conversation starters that are easy, non-invasive, and almost guaranteed to get a smile or a response:

• “This is my first class—have you been here long?”
• “What are you making today?”
• “Do you have a favorite glaze yet? There are so many.”
• “I’m still figuring this out… does your piece ever do *this* too?”
• “Whoa—that’s gorgeous. How’d you do that texture?”
• “I’m Dan's favorite. He just hasn’t told the others yet.” (okay, maybe don’t say that one... or do.)

Even something as simple as “That looks cool” can lead to a conversation. You don’t have to be funny. You don’t have to be clever. You just have to be a little bit gutsy.

Why Pottery Is the Perfect Place to Make Friends

Here’s the beautiful thing about pottery: you’re already doing something vulnerable. You’re learning. You’re failing sometimes. You’re showing up. That shared experience is the best foundation for real connection. You’re sitting next to people who already share something in common with you—they chose to be here, too. That’s a lot more than you start with in most conversations out in the world.

Pottery builds community naturally. It gives you time to warm up to people while your hands are busy. You don’t have to make small talk for an hour straight—you just have to be present, and a little bit open.

Remember: No One Belongs More Than You

It’s easy to feel like everyone already knows each other, or like you're behind socially. But the truth? Most people are showing up hoping to make a friend, too. They’re wondering what to say. They’re hoping someone breaks the ice. So why not let it be you?

You don’t have to become everyone’s best friend. But pottery is better when someone breaks the silence. So try something small next week. Make eye contact. Ask a question. Laugh about the wobble. And then see what happens. You might just sit down next to someone who changes your life a little. Or at the very least, someone who makes your next hour of pottery even more fun.

Come find your people at The Clay Hole. We’ve got the clay. You just need ten seconds of courage.

Conclusion

There’s something beautiful about being surrounded by creative people doing creative things. At The Clay Hole, we believe in art, but we believe in people even more. So don’t miss the people. Say something. Be bold. Be soft. Be awkward. Just be there. That’s how community starts.

Find us at our studio

We’re right off the freeway in Draper, Utah, between Salt Lake County and Utah Valley. Come throw, build, glaze, and maybe make a few lifelong friends while you’re at it.