Like bread, ceramics are made from dough that is delicately kneaded and heated, resulting in an end product that can be given as a gift or thrown at birds to distract them from eyeing your newly washed car. Handcraft something beautiful and practical with this Groupon.

Choose from Four Options

• $12 for a one-hour handbuilding pottery class (a $25 value)
• $32 for a one-hour wheel-throwing pottery class (a $65 value)
• $40 for a private, intensive, one-hour pottery class (an $80 value)
$89 for a two-hour family handbuilding pottery class for up to five (a $250 value)

Expert clay shapers lead small classes that teach students how to craft unique objects through manual manipulation or using spinning wheels. During the handbuilding class, novice molders master the basics of hand-formed clay construction, including pinch potting, coiling, scoring, slipping, and manipulating with passive-aggressive comments. Otherwise, burgeoning clay slingers seeking a challenge can try their hand at molding atop a mobile surface in the wheel-throwing class, in which students spin shapeless lumps of clay into beautiful and functional pieces such as plant pots, serving bowls, or butler golems. Private-intensive classes focus on whichever technique the student desires. Classes can be scheduled Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. or Sundays at 1 p.m. Display-worthy pieces may be glazed for an additional $10.