Sea Glass Pottery Workshop in South Philly: Make a Recycled Glass Soap Dish

On a bright block of South Philadelphia, Black Hound Clay Studio South at 1701 Federal Street, Philadelphia PA 19146, turns ordinary afternoons into fired, glass-speckled keepsakes. The NEW Sea Glass Dish workshop asks you to shape a small, coil-built dish—perfect for soap, jewelry, or a kitchen nook—and then watch glaze and recycled glass collide into something unexpected. For two hours you'll work with wet clay, tools, templates or your own freeform idea, and an instructor will guide handbuilding techniques before the kiln takes over. What sets this workshop apart is the cross-studio collaboration with Remark Glass in South Philly. Black Hound’s glazes meet a multicolored mix of glass recycled from bottles and containers, creating a surface that looks like tide-polished sea glass fused into ceramic. You’ll make one seven‑inch dish; materials, tools, instruction and firing are included. Children ages eight and up are welcome with a paying adult, and teens 16+ may attend alone. The studio occupies a working-artist space in a city known for sturdy redbrick industrial shells and an active maker scene. That urban context matters: you’re not in a craft chain but in a small studio that prioritizes accessibility. Black Hound operates a sliding scale for many workshops so a wider range of people can learn clay techniques—check their sliding scale graphic before booking. After the class your piece will be bisque-fired, glazed and fired again by Black Hound staff; expect a three- to four-week turnaround and an email when your dish is ready for pick up during studio hours (Wednesday–Sunday, 12–6). Practical details: the session lasts about two hours and fits up to 16 participants. The space is wheelchair accessible. Young makers must be accompanied if under 16. Bring an open mind and wear clothes you don't mind getting clay on; studio aprons are typically provided. Why book this in Philadelphia? It's a tactile counterpoint to the city's rowhouse grids and museum-lined avenues: an artful, hands-on way to take home something truly local. You’ll learn coiling and shaping fundamentals, mingle with neighborhood creatives, and leave with a custom object that captures the grit and color of South Philly—only here, where recycled glass and craft come together. Whether you’re a lifelong potter or a curious visitor, the NEW Sea Glass Dish is a quick, rewarding craft escape that yields a keepsake fired through a small local kiln. Bookings are available through the studio’s booking page; prices follow a sliding-scale structure to keep access equitable. Expect hands-on instruction, small-group attention, and a finished piece fired by staff—an approachable creative session for families, solo travelers, and makers wanting to grow skills. The studio address is 1701 Federal Street, Philadelphia PA 19146; transit and street parking are within walking distance.