Throw Clay LA is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Saturday from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The studio is closed on New Year's Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day, and closes early on the day before Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve.

Can I bring my dog or pet to the studio?

Because studio work is fragile and moved frequently, pets are not allowed in the studio. Exceptions may be made for trained service animals with prior approval.

Where can I find pottery classes for beginners in Los Angeles?

Throw Clay LA offers pottery classes for beginners in a welcoming downtown Los Angeles studio. Our one-time and six-week courses introduce the basics of wheel throwing and handbuilding with step-by-step instruction from experienced teachers. Students learn how to center clay, create simple forms, and glaze their finished pieces using our cone 5/6 clay bodies. Classes are small, hands-on, and perfect for anyone curious to explore clay for the first time.

What makes Throw Clay LA the best pottery date night in Los Angeles?

Throw Clay LA offers one of Los Angeles’s most creative and relaxed date nights. Couples share creativity in a fun, informal studio setting while learning the basics of pottery together. Each person has their own wheel and creates their own piece, guided by friendly instructors. It’s a memorable, hands-on experience that blends laughter, art, and connection.

Do you offer one-time pottery classes for beginners?

Yes. Our one-time pottery classes are designed for beginners and anyone curious to try working with clay. In a single 1 hour and 45 minute session, you’ll learn the basics of throwing on the wheel, choose your glaze colors, and we’ll finish and fire your pieces for you. It’s a fun, no-pressure introduction to pottery in a welcoming studio environment.

Do you offer kids' classes?

Our classes and courses are designed for adults 18 and older. Teens ages 13–17 may join a One-Time class if accompanied by an adult booked in the same class.

What is the difference between throwing on the wheel and handbuilding?

Wheel throwing uses gravity and centrifugal force to shape clay on the potter's wheel, typically resulting in symmetrical forms like bowls. Handbuilding uses pinch, slab, and coil techniques to build pieces by hand, offering more flexibility and sculptural freedom.

When will my pottery pieces be ready for pickup after a class?

It takes 3–5 weeks to complete pieces made in class. Once they are ready, Throw Clay LA notifies you by email. Please pick them up promptly after notification to allow space for new work.

How long is a class or course?

One-Time Potter’s Wheel classes are 1 hour and 45 minutes. Six-week courses and One-Time Wheel & Handbuilding classes are two hours. Six-week courses are limited to 8 students for personalized instruction.

What should I wear to class?

Wear comfortable clothing you don’t mind getting clay on. Most clay washes out easily. Closed-toed shoes are recommended. Long hair should be tied back, and jewelry removed for safety.

What is your cancellation policy?

One-Time Classes may be canceled or changed with at least 3 days’ notice. Six-Week Courses can be canceled up to 5 days before the start of the session for a refund (less transaction fees). Private Events require 10 days’ notice for a full refund or reschedule. Cancellations made closer to the event may be partially refunded or ineligible depending on timing.

Are my pottery pieces food, microwave, and dishwasher safe?

Yes. All pieces made and fired at Throw Clay LA are food safe, microwave safe, and dishwasher safe.

How much do members pay for firing?

For one-time classes and six-week courses, firing and glaze fees are included. For members, glaze firings are $1 per pound for pieces up to 14 inches, and $2 per pound for larger pieces. Bisque firing is free.

Can I bring my dog or pet to the studio?

Because studio work is fragile and moved frequently, pets are not allowed in the studio. Exceptions may be made for trained service animals with prior approval.

Clay Bodies for Cone 6 Pottery

Throw Clay LA
Oct 14
3 min read

Updated: Nov 4

Understanding Clay Bodies Used at Throw Clay LA

At Throw Clay LA, we fire to cone 6 in our electric and gas kilns—an ideal mid-range temperature that balances strength, glaze color, and firing cost. Cone 6 clay bodies come in a wide variety of colors and textures, each with its own character and working properties.

In this post, we’ll explore the most common cone 6 clay types you’ll find in our studio—what makes each one unique, how they perform on the wheel, and which are best suited to your style of work.

A group of potters learning from a master potter in the Throw Clay LA studio. — Potters learning from Danny Meisinger at Throw Clay LA studio using a soft B-Mix on the wheel.

Common Clay Bodies for Cone 6 Pottery Used at Throw Clay LA:

White & Porcelain-Like Clay Bodies

Best for: Functional ware, carving, fine detail

Smooth White Stoneware

A creamy, all-purpose clay that throws beautifully and shows glaze colors vividly. Perfect for functional ware or pieces with crisp lines. We typically carry B-Mix and B-Mix with Speckles.

Porcelain

Fine-grained and luminous, porcelain fires translucent in thin sections and rewards patient trimming and careful drying. Ideal for carving, slip inlay, or refined tableware.

Porcelain-Stoneware Blend

A hybrid clay that combines the strength of stoneware with the smooth surface of porcelain—great for functional work with a high-end finish.

Speckled & Buff Stoneware

Best for: Rustic surfaces, warm tones

Speckled Buff Clay

A studio favorite—durable, easy to throw, and dotted with warm manganese speckles that peek through glazes. Excellent for mugs, bowls, and planters.

Toasty Buff Stoneware

A slightly darker body with rustic warmth and natural variation. Perfect for earthy glaze palettes and everyday ware.

Tip: Transparent or celadon glazes highlight the speckles beautifully.

Warm & Dark Stoneware

Best for: Sculptural work, contrast decoration

Rich Brown Clay

A darker, iron-bearing stoneware that enhances light glazes and adds depth to surface work.

Red-Brown Clay

Smooth to throw and strong in firing, this classic warm body is excellent for both wheel and handbuilding.

Deep Red Clay

Vibrant and bold, this body fires to a brick-red tone—striking beneath white slip or contrasting glazes.

Buying Clay at Throw Clay LA

We typically carry a rotating selection of clay bodies for cone 6 pottery suitable for both wheel and handbuilding. These clays are available for use by members and students, and also for purchase by nonmembers.

If you’re curious to experiment with a clay body not carried in the studio, ask your instructor or studio manager for guidance.

Clay purchased by nonmembers is for off-site use only and does not include firing (bisque or glaze). We do not fire work produced off-site.

Clay Body Comparison Chart

Clay Body	Color	Texture	Best For	Notes
Smooth White Stoneware	White	Smooth	All-purpose	Great for beginners
White w/ Speckles	White + iron flecks	Smooth	Functional ware	Warm, rustic speckles
Bright White Midrange	White	Silky	Underglaze work	Porcelain-like
Porcelain	White	Fine	Carving, translucency	More advanced
Porcelain-Stoneware Blend	Light gray	Smooth	Tableware	Easier than porcelain
Speckled Buff	Buff + specks	Medium	Mugs, bowls	Studio favorite
Toasty Buff	Buff	Medium	Rustic forms	Slightly darker
Rich Brown	Brown	Coarse	Glaze contrast	Earthy tone
Red-Brown	Red-brown	Smooth	Wheel + handbuilding	Classic warm look
Deep Red	Brick red	Firm	Sculptural	Vibrant iron tone

Final Thoughts

There’s no single “best” clay—it’s about how it feels in your hands and how it fits your creative vision. Try a few, test your glazes, and let the clay teach you something new each time.

Ready to get your hands in clay?

Whether you’re curious to try the wheel for the first time or ready to dive deeper,

Throw Clay LA offers one-time pottery classes, 6-week courses introductory courses, 6-week continuing courses, and studio memberships.

As a member, explore our full range of cone 5/6 clay bodies, enjoy practice time in the studio, and connect with our creative community through free member clinics throughout the year.