Iowa Ceramics Center & Glass Studio

A Hug Becomes Art: The Embrace Experience

Create a one-of-a-kind ceramic vase shaped not only by clay—but by your embrace.  Celebrate love, friendship, family, and life’s milestones with an experience that’s as meaningful as the finished piece.

Cost: $220/vase

A One of a Kind Clay Experience

The Embrace Experience is unlike any pottery class.

Guided by one of our talented ceramic artists, you’ll watch as a beautiful vase is thrown on the wheel just for you. Then comes the unforgettable moment—while the clay is still soft, you and someone special embrace with the vase between you.

Your hug naturally shapes the vessel, leaving behind subtle curves and impressions that can never be duplicated.

Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, engagement, family milestone, friendship, or simply making time for one another, your finished vase becomes a permanent reminder of that shared moment.

Every piece is handcrafted, glazed by our artists, and completely unique.

Perfect For:

❤️ Engagements 💍 Weddings🥂 Anniversaries (9th is Ceramics)🌹 Date Nights 👨‍👩‍👧 Families & Baby Bumps🎁 Meaningful Gift

Moments You'll Never Forget:

What's Included:

Each experience includes:

✔ A private Embrace Experience

✔ Live vase throwing demonstration

✔ Personalization with initials or a meaningful date

✔ One-on-one glaze consultation

✔ Professional firing and glazing

✔ Pickup in four weeks

How it Works:

Reserve Your Experience

Fill out our form, choose some date options and bring someone special.  Whether it's your spouse, best friend, parent, child, sibling, or anyone meaningful—this experience is about celebrating connection.

Create Together

One of our ceramic artists throws a large vase while you watch. When the vase is finished, you'll gently embrace with the vase between you. The clay records your embrace forever.

Finishing Touches

Choose your favorite glaze. Our artists will carefully dry, fire, glaze, and finish your vase. When it's ready, you'll return to pick up your one-of-a-kind artwork.

Take Home Your Memory!

Your vase will be ready for pickup 4 weeks later. Take it home and enjoy!

Make It Even More Memorable:

Add a One-Hour Pottery Wheel Lesson

Want even more hands-on fun?

Before your Embrace Experience, spend an hour learning the basics of wheel throwing together with one of our instructors.

Cost: Additional $100/couple

Pick up your Vase with a Flower Bouquet from Kismet

Our friends at Kismet Floral can create a beautiful arrangement worthy of your new vase.  We will take your vase to Kizmet on the day you would like to pick it up.

Cost: Additional $50-$100/ depending on the arrangement

Capture the Memory

If you’d like professional photos of your experience, we partner with Lionheart Photography to offer optional photo sessions during your workshop. Your photographer can capture the creative process, the connection between you and your partner, and beautiful portraits with and without your finished vase in our studio.

Whether you’re celebrating an engagement, anniversary, or simply want to preserve a special day together, these images become a lasting keepsake alongside your handmade piece.  Photos will be edited and available online within 3 weeks.  

Let us know if you’d like to add a photography session, and we’ll be happy to coordinate the details for you.

Photography Session Add-On:  $125–$250 (pricing varies based on session length)

Frequently Asked Questions