Norfolk's Only Community Pottery Studio

Step into All Hands Pottery Studio, a full-service ceramics studio offering classes, workshops, and a community that celebrates creativity and craftsmanship!

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Open Studio Hours

Monday: 10am -1pm, 6pm - 9pm
Tuesday: 1pm - 4pm, 6pm - 9pm
Wednesday: 6pm - 9pm
Thursday: 10am - 1pm, 1pm - 4pm
Friday: 1pm - 4pm
Saturday: 10am - 1pm, 1pm - 4pm
Sunday: 10am - 1pm, 1pm - 4pm

Studio members throwing clay on the pottery wheel in our norfolk pottery studio

All Hands Pottery is a community studio located in Norfolk, Virginia, founded by Angela Tilley. We proudly cater to individuals of all skill levels, emphasizing the importance of creativity and therapeutic art. Our studio offers resources that include an event calendar, open studio access, private event details, and essential information on clay and glaze materials.

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Values

Studio members and staff laughing during a pottery wheel class in our Norfolk pottery studio.

At All Hands Pottery, we believe in providing a welcoming space for all. Our core values include fostering creativity, encouraging community engagement, and enhancing well-being through the therapeutic benefits of pottery and art. We strive to support lifelong learning and exploration for everyone who walks through our doors.

Come on baby, light my fire… 🔥

Raku day hits a little different.
Fast firing, open flames, and that moment when each piece comes out looking nothing like it did going in.

It’s a little unpredictable, a little dramatic… and completely worth it.

You could feel the energy around every pull from the kiln—everyone watching, waiting, and then that immediate “okay wait… that’s SO good.”

More of this, please 💙

When talented friends make things for their talented friends... pottery edition.

One of our potters just got this awesome 3D printed pottery grip, and after a quick test run, we’re kind of into it.

It holds leather-hard pieces in place for trimming and keeps everything nice and steady while you work. Simple idea, but it makes a difference.

We love a good studio tool upgrade… especially when it shows up like this.

What do we think...game changer or just fun to try? 💙

Pinch pot monsters in progress… and the personalities are already showing 😄

We had the best time at Little Homies Enrichment Center in Portsmouth! Lots of laughter, lots of creativity, and some very unique creatures coming to life!

A quick pause from the studio to share something worth seeing 💙

Beyond the Call is a military art exhibition in Suffolk featuring work by service members, veterans, and their families. Every piece in the show comes with a story shaped by military life, travel, and the people met along the way.

We are really proud to share that Angela has work included in this exhibit.

The show runs April 28 through June 12, with an opening reception on May 8 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The evening includes an artist talk with Gus Gusenstine, an awards ceremony, and live music.

If you are local, this is a good one to step into. Different perspectives, powerful stories, and a whole lot of talent all in one space.

This one always fills fast… and for good reason!

A night of clay, good company, and leaving with something you actually made yourself.
Think florals, leaves, hearts… shaped with cookie cutters, glazed in your favorite colors, and turned into something you’ll wear or gift.

You’ll make up to 3 pieces and Tess handles the finishing touches after, so it all comes together just right.

No experience needed. Just show up and have fun with it.

Spots are limited and we do need a minimum to run the class, so if you’ve been thinking about it, go ahead and grab your seat now.

Link in bio to grab your spot!

Some people come in for the clay… and stay for everything else.

The conversations that pick up right where they left off.
The laughs that carry across the room.
The quick “hey, what do you think of this?” moments that turn into real encouragement.

It’s a mix of all kinds of people, all at different stages, somehow creating side by side like it’s always been that way.

That’s the part you don’t really see until you’re here.

May is filling up at the studio and it’s a good mix this month.

If you’ve been meaning to get more comfortable with glazing, the refresher is a great place to start.
If you’re planning something a little more meaningful for Mother’s Day, those clay craft nights are always a favorite.
And if you’ve had “I want to try the wheel” sitting in the back of your mind… goblets might be your moment.

Different skill levels, different vibes, same studio.

Grab a spot while there’s still room.

You can tell when it’s past the beginner stage.

It’s not just shaping anymore, it’s attention.
Turning the piece, checking the rim, smoothing something most people wouldn’t even notice.

This is the part where instincts start to take over.
Less guessing, more knowing what the clay needs next.

And honestly… that’s when things start getting really good.

Taking a closer look, talking it through, and figuring out what’s working and what might need a tweak.

These little moments matter just as much as the making. It’s where ideas get shared, and pieces get even better before they ever hit the kiln,

That smile says it all.

When the piece is already there, and you’re just enjoying the last few passes on the wheel… no second-guessing, no overthinking.

Just having a good time and letting it ride 💙

There’s a lot of talent quietly sitting on these shelves right now.

Fresh out of the kiln, tucked in next to each other, waiting to head home… pieces that started as a lump of clay and turned into something pretty special.

Some are bold, some are simple, some have those little details you don’t notice until you stop and really look.

It’s that time of the cycle where everything feels finished and ready… and the shelves don’t stay full for long.

Take a good look now, because a lot of these are heading out the door soon 💙

📢WE NEED NEWSPAPERS📢

Please drop them off at the studio! Thank you!

That moment at the kiln when you pick up a piece and take a second look.

You turn it in your hands, check the rim, notice a line you didn’t see before… and suddenly you’re smiling.

Little moments like this happen all the time in the studio. Quiet wins, small surprises, and the simple joy of seeing something you made take shape.

This is one of those moments you don’t always see… where a simple idea turns into something really intricate.

A little air, a lot of focus, and suddenly that delicate lace pattern becomes part of the clay. It’s equal parts patience and curiosity… and maybe a tiny bit of “let’s see what happens.”

This one pulls you in a little closer every time you look at it.

Layer after layer of carving, color, and detail… and somehow it all still feels calm and flowing, like everything is moving together. The kind of piece you notice from across the room and then end up studying up close.

The glow up is real ✨

Glaze, fire, and suddenly… There it is.

Colors deepen, textures pop, and all those little details you weren’t sure about somehow work.

Some pieces go exactly as planned.
Some do their own thing.
All of them have a story.

And honestly… we’re here for all of it!

Ever wondered what’s actually happening inside the kiln? 🔥

This 2-hour Kiln Basics workshop covers how our electric kilns work, how heat moves through them, and how to load your pieces safely for a more even firing.

We’ll also go over spacing, stacking, and kiln shelf care… including kiln wash, cleanup, and how to avoid those frustrating glaze drips.

Perfect if you’re looking to understand the firing process better and feel more confident in your work from start to finish. Head to our link in bio to grab your spot!

Fresh out of bisque and looking pretty good already.

Every shelf has a little bit of everything right now. Bowls with clean lines, big forms waiting for glaze, plates getting ready for color, and pieces that still feel full of possibility.

This stage is always fun because you can start to imagine what they might become… but the real transformation is still ahead.

Stay tuned. The kiln is coming next. 👀

There’s something about having the right person next to you when things start to feel… big.

A little guidance.
A small adjustment.
And suddenly, what felt impossible starts to come together.

That’s kind of the magic of working with Brian.

He’ll meet you where you are, help you see what’s possible, and somehow make even the biggest pieces feel a little more manageable.

And those “wait… I’m actually doing this” moments?
Those happen a lot around here 💙

Pour yourself a cup of ambition and then take a walk past the shelves ☕️

Because wow! There’s some serious talent sitting around the studio right now!

Big, bold pieces.
Delicate details.
Glazes are doing their thing in the best way.

It’s that moment where you’re just casually walking by and suddenly stop like… “okay wait, who made THAT?”

A little Dolly energy, a lot of creativity, and a whole shelf full of pieces that deserve a second look 💙

These are in that quiet in-between stage…

Handles still soft, details still crisp, everything just waiting its turn.

There’s always a little pause here before the kiln does its thing. You can already see the intention in each piece, but you don’t quite know how they’ll come out yet. The colors will shift, the surfaces will change, and a few surprises are almost guaranteed.

For now, they sit on the shelf looking pretty good already… and about to get even better!

Fire. Smoke. A little unpredictability.

That’s Raku.

Join us on April 11th for a full day of fast-paced, hands-on firing with instructor Ray Wood. You’ll bring your own pieces, glaze them, and watch them transform right in front of you.

No two pieces come out the same… and that’s exactly the point.

If you’ve been wanting to try something different in the studio, this is your chance 🔥💙

Behind the scenes from Brian’s glaze class…
And yes, it was as fun as it looks!

Thank you to Hampton Roads Pride for the invitation to be part of your Community Connections panel. It meant a lot to be in a room full of people who care deeply about building connection, supporting one another, and creating space where everyone feels seen.

Grateful for the conversations, the energy, and the people I had the chance to meet along the way. Already looking forward to the next one 💙

Quick studio update 👀

Starting April 7th, our Tuesday afternoon open studio session will now run from 1–4 PM (instead of 1–5 PM).

That extra hour in between sessions helps us reset the space, clean up, and get everything ready for the evening crew.

It might seem like a small shift, but it makes a big difference in keeping the studio running smoothly for everyone.

Thanks for being part of a community that helps us take care of the space as much as we do 💙

This one’s a little slower… a little quieter… and really, really good.

Join us for the Magical Rain Stick Workshop and create your own ceramic piece that looks beautiful and sounds even better.

It’s hands-on, a little meditative, and one of those experiences you don’t rush through.

Come make something you’ll actually want to keep nearby!

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Norfolk's Only Community Pottery Studio

Open Studio Hours

Monday: 10am -1pm, 6pm - 9pm
Tuesday: 1pm - 4pm, 6pm - 9pm
Wednesday: 6pm - 9pm
Thursday: 10am - 1pm, 1pm - 4pm
Friday: 1pm - 4pm
Saturday: 10am - 1pm, 1pm - 4pm
Sunday: 10am - 1pm, 1pm - 4pm

Values

Follow Us

Connect with our community

Norfolk's Only Community Pottery Studio

Open Studio Hours

Monday: 10am -1pm, 6pm - 9pm Tuesday: 1pm - 4pm, 6pm - 9pm Wednesday: 6pm - 9pm Thursday: 10am - 1pm, 1pm - 4pm Friday: 1pm - 4pm Saturday: 10am - 1pm, 1pm - 4pm Sunday: 10am - 1pm, 1pm - 4pm

Values

Follow Us

​

Connect with our community

Monday: 10am -1pm, 6pm - 9pm
Tuesday: 1pm - 4pm, 6pm - 9pm
Wednesday: 6pm - 9pm
Thursday: 10am - 1pm, 1pm - 4pm
Friday: 1pm - 4pm
Saturday: 10am - 1pm, 1pm - 4pm
Sunday: 10am - 1pm, 1pm - 4pm