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Best Pottery Shops In Los Angeles

pottery 610
(credit: Rock and Wasp/shutterstock)

When you mention pottery shops to folks, you may put a wide variety of mental pictures into their minds. Some might think of a simple store, filled with various pottery trinkets for sale. Still others might picture antiques for sale. Still another group might expect a sort of learning center, specializing in classes and workshops. Then other groups may conjure up visions of professional creators that create art from a kind of blueprint, if you will. And if this were a test question, every answer would be right. There are just more varieties involved in pottery shops then you may at first imagine. These range from the pseudo-spiritual approach to pottery to the strictly commercial vision. Thus, when it comes to choosing a pottery shop to visit, you simply need to first define your terms. If you don't have a clear goal from the get-go, you may get more than you initially bargained for. With that said, let's explore a few stores in the L.A. area.

bitter root pottery ceramic kid
(credit: Bitter Root)

Bitter Root
7451 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 938-5511
website

The Bitter Root takes an almost spiritual approach to the practice of creating pottery. Sessions there are described as "moments of peace and Zen," in fact. The establishment also encourages individuality. And the process of creating poetry is not meant to be perfect. "Every piece thrown is completely unique to its creator," the store's website states.

echo ceramics
(credit: Echo Ceramics)

Echo Ceramics
4875 W. Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90016
(323) 931-4810
www.echoceramics.com

Echo Ceramics is family owned. It's also relatively new, having only been around since 1999. One of their philosophies is that everyone who takes a lesson there will make a pot on their first day. So if you go to learn there, be prepared to begin creating on day one. Its founder, Ki Cho, was a student of architecture when he discovered ceramics, so when you study there, you'll learn with Ki Cho's unique teaching method.

Xiem Clay Center - VERIFIED
(credit: Xiem Clay Center)

Xiem Clay Center
1563 N. Lake Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91104
(626) 791-9220
www.xiemclaycenter.com

Xiem Clay Center is a store with a mission. With the purpose of the center to foster a community of ceramic artists, they also strive to promote public awareness, understanding and appreciation of ceramic arts. To do this, the establishment includes classes, a gallery, workshops and other events.

Related: Best Ceramics Classes For Adults In The Los Angeles Area

pottery
(credit: Maciej Czekajewski/shutterstock)

California Pottery And Tile Works
5843 Towne Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90003
(323) 235-4151
www.calpot.com

California Pottery And Tile Works was started in 1994 with the main goal of carrying on the California method of tile making. It's a style that was formulated by California Malibu potteries in the early part of the twentieth century. California Pottery And Tile Works is a custom studio, specializing in creating historical re-makings of classic creations. This is clearly not a shop where you purchase items off the shelf. Instead, they help put your imagination into real, perfected creations.

Early California Antiques verified
(credit: Early California Antiques)

Early California Antiques
6536 Homewood Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 953-8330
www.earlycaliforniaantiques.com

Owned by California antique experts, Early California Antiques is located in the Old Pasadena Antiques Center and specializes in buying and selling pre-1942 California pottery and antiques. You won't find any made to order pottery products here, or a learning center, but this specialized store with a local flavor is the place to go for unique finds.

Related: Best Paint And Sip In Los Angeles

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