The Vista Compound

The Mudroom

A place for makers.

The Mudroom hand-drawn logo

An intimate studio led by Chelsea Bradford — With a BFA in Ceramics at CSULB and the longtime maker behind Chels Pots, Chelsea brings her experience into intimate lessons for all skill levels. Wheel throwing, functional ceramics, and craftsmanship meant to be used and loved daily.

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Charter school & PCA funds welcome on eligible classes.

Hands throwing a clay pot on the wheel

Inside the studio

Students at pottery wheels in a bright studioThe Mudroom studio exterior with the doors open on a sunny afternoonGuests standing together in front of The Mudroom at duskChelsea guiding students at the wheel inside The Mudroom studioTwo students centering clay on the pottery wheelGuests gathered around the fire pit outside at nightFinished stoneware mugs and bowlsThree students working on pottery wheels inside the studioA child shaping clay on the pottery wheel in warm afternoon lightClose-up of hands pulling a cylinder on the wheelChelsea standing in the unfinished Mudroom doorway during the buildoutView through open French doors into The Mudroom with a class in sessionOverhead view of a clay bat, sponge bowl, tools and glazes on the worktableChelsea leaning in to help a young student at the worktableClose-up of pottery tools with a class working at the wheel in the backgroundHands trimming the foot of a freshly thrown bowl on the wheel

Classes

Pick your seat at the wheel.

Every class starts with a request — no payment up front. We review each one by hand and follow up with next steps, so we can keep classes small and the pace personal.

60 min

PCA eligible

Private Wheel Throwing Lesson

$100

Intro to wheel throwing, one on one.

Schedule:
1 hour class — scheduled after your request is approved
Who:
Grades TK–12
Request this class

60 min

PCA eligible

2 Student Wheel Throwing Lesson

$75

Intro to wheel throwing for two students.

Schedule:
1 hour class — scheduled after your request is approved
Who:
Grades TK–12
Class size:
max 2
Request this class

90 min

Date Night for 2

$200

A guided pottery lesson for two.

Schedule:
Select Friday evenings — coordinated after your request is approved
Who:
Ages 16+
Class size:
max 2
Request this class

6 sessions · 60 min each

PCA eligible

6 Week Wheel Throwing Intensive

$600

Six weeks of wheel throwing, start to finish.

Schedule:
6 weeks, 1 day/week, 1 hour per session
Who:
Grades TK–12
Request this class

8 sessions · 75 min each

PCA eligible

8 Week Hand Building Workshop

$450

Learn the fundamentals of hand building — coiling, slab building, pinch pots, and sculpture. Perfect for beginners!

Weekly projects

  1. 1.Pinch Mug
  2. 2.Decorative Coil Bowl
  3. 3.Pinch Pot Jack-O-Lantern
  4. 4.Slab Picture Frame
  5. 5.Animal Sculpture
  6. 6.Coil Bud Vase
  7. 7.Slab Tealight House
  8. 8.Ornament
Schedule:
Thursdays 3:00–4:15 PM · Oct 1 – Nov 19
Who:
Ages 5–12
Class size:
max 12
Includes:
All supplies included — students take home 8 finished pieces. PCA funds accepted.
Request this class

120 min

PCA eligible

Clay Day: Group Hand Building Workshop

$55

A 2-hour group hand building activity.

Schedule:
One 2-hour session — scheduled after your request is approved
Who:
Grades TK–12
Class size:
max 14
Request this class

By request

Private groups & field trips

Planning a homeschool co-op day, a private group, or a special occasion? Reach out and we'll tailor a session to your group size and timing.

Inquire

How it works

Request first. Payment comes later.

  1. 01

    Request a class

    Tell us who's coming and how you'd like to fund it. Nothing is charged.

  2. 02

    We review

    We check the roster and the fit, usually within a day or two.

  3. 03

    Funding clears

    Charter families request an Enrichment Certificate while we hold the spot — it must be received before the first class date. Private pay families get an invoice.

  4. 04

    You're enrolled

    We confirm the spot and send everything you need for the first day.

What we'll cover

From a lump of clay to a finished form.

Wheel classes move through the four core stages of throwing. Go at your own pace — we'll guide you through each step.

Centering

Moving the clay to true center by coning it up and back down — the foundation of every piece on the wheel.

Opening

Creating the initial opening in the center of the clay, forming the floor and the foundation of your vessel.

Lifting the walls

Using a technique called a knuckle pass to pull the clay upward, transforming a short form into a taller vessel.

Shaping your piece

Refining the final form with a rib tool to smooth and shape the walls into the silhouette you want.

How to prepare

Attire

Wear closed-toe shoes and clothes you don't mind getting a bit dirty. Remove rings, bracelets, watches, and low-hanging necklaces.

Hair & hands

Pull long hair back and trim nails short if possible — it makes a real difference at the wheel.

What's included

Clay, tools, aprons, and firing are all provided. Classes stay small so everyone gets real hands-on time. Finished work is trimmed, glazed, and fired here — pickup is typically 2–3 weeks later.