You Love Pottery... But Why is it so Frustrating?
Before you give up, check out these 5 fixes that could change everything for you.
No spam. Just thoughtful updates and practical help.You can unsubscribe anytime.
Instant access + early entry to the full pottery troubleshooting training when it opens.
Do you ever…
- Fight to center clay that won’t cooperate
- Leave a pottery session feeling frustrated
- Taken a class or watched a video but still feel stuck
- Feel like you missed a step somewhere
- Wish someone could just show you the way
I’m building something specifically for potters like you.
After teaching over a thousand students across 25+ years, I’ve seen nearly every beginner and early-intermediate wheel problem imaginable — and most of them dozens (sometimes hundreds) of times.
The good news?
You’re not alone in that.
Maybe your walls keep collapsing.
Maybe your cylinders won’t stay even.
Maybe trimming feels unpredictable.
Maybe everything works one day… and falls apart the next.
The good news?
These problems aren’t random.
They’re predictable.
And they’re fixable.
A Passionate Potter & Creator
Hi, My name is “Steve McDonald" and I know exactly how you feel! I've been there myself. I've also seen it in my students. In my career I've taught over 1000 beginners just like you. I've helped every one of them to overcome their frustrations and go on to enjoy making beautiful pottery
Solving Beginner Pottery Challenges
Warning Many of my students have developed pottery addictions. Some have gone so far as to set up their own home studios, sell their pottery or even become teacher themselves. It's not my fault that I know how to make it easier and more fun. I guess maybe I'm addicted, too, and just can't help myself. You've been warned.
No Student Left Behind: Teaching Pottery with Care
From my early teaching days when I struggled to help students succeed, I developed a "no student left behind" mentality. Now I know from years of experience that there is no such thing as someone who can't learn pottery. I learned that the problem is a lack of understanding and information, even for many teachers.
A Passionate Potter & Creator
Warning Many of my students have developed pottery addictions. Some have gone so far as to set up their own home studios, sell their pottery or even become teacher themselves. It's not my fault that I know how to make it easier and more fun. I guess maybe I'm addicted, too, and just can't help myself. You've been warned.
5 Key Pottery Skills
In 17 quick pages it shows you the 5 critical things that students struggle to learn and teachers struggle to teach. It is specifically designed to help you finally understand how to center consistently, how to control your water perfectly, how to prevent wobbles and how to use your body correctly so you can do pottery more easily and confidently.
Why don't I still sell The Despicable 5 guide?
Because I'm giving away for free to my next group of students. See, I've shifted my teaching from in person to online so that I can reach more students who are either still struggling or who don't have easy access to a teacher.
Be the first to access what I’m building. And help shape it.
If you’re serious about improving on the wheel — and you’re tired of spinning your wheels (literally).
WHAT YOU’LL GET (FREE GUIDE)
The Despicable 5 fixes the five problems that frustrate beginners most:
- Clay that won’t center
- An ugly bottom
- The death wobble
- Cracks in the bottom
- Pinching through the walls
No spam. Just thoughtful updates and practical help.
You can unsubscribe anytime.
This guide is the starting point.
I’m also building a pottery troubleshooting experience designed for people who:
- Have tried pottery before
- Feel stuck or plateaued
- Want real improvement, not vague inspiration
Subscribers get The Despicable 5 guide for free and first access to the full troubleshooting experience when it opens.
VALUE OF JOINING NOW
When you download the guide, you’ll also get:
- Early notification for the troubleshooting training I’m creating
- A customized experience that I will create to fit your unique frustrations
- Alerts on future resources built specifically for struggling potters based on feedback from you
The problem is , not you!
- Most beginner frustrations come from a handful of subtle mistakes that not many teachers pay attention to.
- When pressure, speed, posture, and water control are even slightly off, everything feels harder than it should.
- That’s why pottery can sometimes feel random, discouraging, and chaotic.
What Our Students Say
Wheel Throwing FAQs.
Who is this for?
This is for potters who’ve taken classes, understand the basics, but feel stuck — especially on the wheel. If your progress has plateaued, this was created for you.
I’m still a beginner. Is this too advanced for me?
Not at all. If you can center clay and attempt basic forms like cylinders or bowls, you’re exactly at the right stage.
What makes this different from regular pottery classes?
Most classes teach steps. This focuses on diagnosing why things go wrong — and how to fix them permanently.
Will this help with collapsing walls and uneven cylinders?
Yes. Those are some of the most common and predictable wheel issues — and they’re absolutely fixable with the right adjustments.
Is this a full course or short lessons?
It’s currently being developed based on student feedback. It may become a structured course, focused modules, or a guided diagnostic tool — depending on what students need most.
How much will it cost?
Pricing hasn’t been finalized yet. Early subscribers will be the first to know — and may receive special early access benefits.
WHO THIS IS FOR
This is for the potter who
- Puts in effort but doesn’t see improvement
- Leaves the studio frustrated more often than satisfied
- Lants to love pottery but feels stuck
- Wants clarity instead of guesswork
- Feels like there must be something they missed
OBJECTION HANDLING
You don’t need:
- Special tools
- Strong muscles
- Inherent “artistic talent”
- Feels like there must be something they missed
Pottery shouldn’t feel like constant frustration.
- It should feel centering (pun intended), absorbing, and quietly rewarding.
- Start your new journey by fixing the five biggest problems that frustrate beginners.
Enter your email for instant access + early updates on the full training.