I joined clay studio Mel Rice Ceramica in 2021 for a pottery class, and now I'm interning here, learning glaze-making and studio management. It's been an amazing journey, from playing with clay to mixing magical glazes. I've learned so much in my short amount of time here, and I'm excited to keep refining my skills. The best part is the people - instructors, friends, and fellow clay enthusiasts. Mel Rice Ceramica isn't just a studio; it's a community where creativity thrives, from member classes and competitions, to offering a space for members to sell their pieces. Everyone here is friendly and willing to help without even asking. If you're looking for a new hobby and a place to meet some cool people I would recommend checking out a class! read more

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Definitely a 1 star. I should've read the reviews before trying. The actual experience wasn't bad making the pottery- probably becuase the owner wasn't there. The owner just takes your money and never responds to ANY communication. I signed up to make some pottery on Valentine's Day and then was told to come back 2 weeks later to pick it up. Well, we came back 3.5 weeks later after calling a number that didn't work, sending 4 emails, a FB message and an IG message and NO response. Definitely a TERRIBLE business. Not sure how she even stays in business. DO NOT GO, RUN AWAY from this place. We still never got all items after 4 weeks and she keeps ignoring all of me. However, they had no problem taking our money. AWFUL place of business. read more

Feeling excited about my creations (and the class!) I'm just finishing up a 4 week class cycle & here's a photo of my soon-to-be-fired piece. It's a quick cycle of classes, but you learn the basics of hand building, throwing, shaping/trimming and glazing. It's also at a great price pt for those who don't want to shell out a few hundred+ for a class. It's a chill studio vibe with everything you need, so I did a few drop in days outside of my regular class schedule. Super fun! read more

Mel Rice Ceramica - Home Decor Near Me - San Francisco, California

Mel Rice Ceramica has been my home for the last few months since I've moved to SF! I joined after my four week course and became a tech at the studio! Mel's studio has given me a space to learn and create all the beautiful works of pottery! I've learned so much from how to recycle clay to how firings work/kiln to glazing and so much more that I did not gain from my art school background! Not to mention all the teachers are so talented and all have their own skills and strengths that all levels of coming into the studio can learn from! I've only been working here for a few months and have seen so much change and improvements within the studio! Mel does an awesome job of allowing her staff to come up with crazy fun projects for the studio and any other possible improvements! Mel rice ceramica has truly become my safe space for me not to mention all the staff that work there and the bond we've all created! Mel goes out of her way to show her appreciation for her staff and her students! She'll host events for members and staff for special life events and has truly created a beautiful community! I have so much appreciation for Mel and how much work she puts into the studio as well as being a single thriving bad ass mom! Her story and drive to make Mel Rice Ceramica amazing as it is truly inspiring to me! read more

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Such a trashy experience with Mel Rice Ceramica - I felt compelled to share this to forewarn potential patrons. Signed up for the 5-week wheel throwing clay + dinnerwear class in September and thought this would be a great outlet to zen out and learn something new. On my first day, Mel came across as laid-back and easygoing. While going over the logistics of the class, she communicated making up classes is flexible and to just check the calendar schedule for the class you missed. Little did I know what was going to happen next. Fast forward to second week, unexpectedly, my adoption of a kitten date moved up and I shot Mel an email requesting to push my class back. Crickets. I sent a few follow-up emails and even made a few trips to the studio, but no one was around. Finally, after my fourth drop-in, spoke to one of the staff about my situation and what they told me echoed what Mel had initially said - I could make up the classes, just take the clay home for when I'm ready to return. I did just that and dropped in on a class in October, which Mel was actually present for. Unfortunately the class was maxed out, but after explaining my situation in-person, she invited me back to come back the following Tuesday to make-up. I thanked her and mentioned I tried reaching out a few times and even dropped by, and with her carefree demeanor responded, "Darling, I am a single mother and don't check my emails, just come back Tuesday, no problem!" I'm sharing our email thread - it pretty much speaks for itself. I'm genuinely flabbergasted Mel runs a business and hope my experience serves as a cautionary tale to others considering her studio. I never had someone respond with such vitriol and unprofessionalism for no reason. Save your sanity and find your zen somewhere else. Oh, when I responded with to her BS unbothered, she blocked me and said it was too much, she didn't want drama. Lady, don't start no s*** won't be no s*** :) read more

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Wonderful creative & community experience! I was gifted a 5 week class package by a loved one that knew I needed some stress relief and time off screens (don't we all?!) I'm so glad he found Mel Rice Ceramica. The space is gorgeous with lots of natural light, lofty ceilings and a very appealing outdoor space. I learned so much in the class sessions and feel empowered that I could continue well on my own if I became a member. I felt very welcome to come back and work on my new skills during open studio hours, and enjoyed easy interaction and socializing with my classmates, though there's also no pressure to participate if you want to quietly focus. Overall great vibes, great inspiration being surrounded by talented & friendly artists. And of course you get to keep the souvenirs of this good time, in the form of your handmade ceramics. I cannot wait to see how my final pieces turn out! read more

Really lovely space with great instructors. Tiffany is patient and an amazing instructor! Super wonderful and very knowledgeable about all the different steps of pottery making! read more

There's apparently not a lot of options in the city for a younger child who wants to learn to use a pottery wheel. My 8yo son caught the bug at a pottery camp and wanted to continue--Mel Rice Ceramica is great for our needs, as he can join any class as long as I'm there with him. read more

Mel is amazing and such a fun person to learn from. Highly recommend. I now have bowls, plates and vases in just a few sessions! This place is a little sanctuary to retreat to on evenings or weekends after work. read more

Mel Rice Ceramica - Such a wonderful place to learn pottery!! I'm now a maker ‍ - Home Decor Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Loved my experience! Took the 4-week session and made a bunch of cool stuff :) I enjoyed getting to know everyone and Mel!! So much fun read more

Mel Rice Ceramica - Home Decor Near Me - San Francisco, California

The studio is beautiful with plants hanging from the ceiling and large windows that let in a lot of light! It's so lovely to come in for studio time in between classes, and just practice on a wheel with the light coming through. Mel takes the time to approach each student and give us feedback, and I've already learned so much just after three classes! Jay and Tiffany are also great instructors that have been really helpful and patient. Also Mel is really generous with allowing students to come in for studio time whenever it is open. read more

Mel Rice Ceramica - The studio at night as a class cleans up - Home Decor Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I took a 5 week course with hand building and wheel throwing, and I really enjoyed my experience learning with Mel! She provided detailed instructions and was supportive throughout the entire process. We made a lot of pieces using different techniques, and I'm happy with how mine turned out! read more

Mel Rice Ceramica - Home Decor Near Me - San Francisco, California

This was my first time making pottery and Mel and the rest of the team were so knowledgeable, kind, and patient. It's a beautiful studio and the perfect antidote to the stress of Bay Area living. High recommend for beginners to experienced throwers! read more

Mel Rice Ceramica - Home Decor Near Me - San Francisco, California

I was looking for ceramic class that has both hand building and wheel throwing. I took 6 week class with Mel Rice Ceramica. I am more then satisfied with what I got through this course. Mel is a great teacher, fun and patient. She is also very supportive and encourages students to come and practice during the week. Here are my two plates I made here. Thanks Mel. read more

Mel Rice Ceramica - Ceramic Plates - Home Decor Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This is the first time I've ever taken a ceramics class and I highly recommend Mel's! She's the coolest chick, and even better the studio is pet friendly! read more

Mel Rice Ceramica - Home Decor Near Me - San Francisco, California

I have been going to Mel Rice Ceramica for 6 years now. I started a 6 week-course which eventually led into me interning since then. Over the years I've learned how to manage a studio and Mel guided me through every aspect of running one. I learned how to recycle clay, learned about glaze making, slip-making, organizing classes and loading kilns. Pottery has now become a significant staple in my life and the studio is now a 2nd home to me. Among that is a community where people are inviting and inclusive. There are teachers and staff who are happy to help any person who have any questions. Not only that, Mel has built a community that has become a family to many, creating a vibrant atmosphere. People are open and always happy to help one another whenever there are questions. Mel is continuously making improvements to ensure that the studio remains a dynamic and inspiring environment for all. I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had here and would highly recommend Mel Rice Ceramica to anyone interested in exploring the world of pottery! read more

Mel Rice Ceramica - Home Decor Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Mel's classes were awesome and it was a perfect spot for someone like me who was reintroducing themselves to the world of pottery! Took a 5-course class and we made so many things in such a short period! These were just a few items we made on the wheel and hand built! Would definitely recommend this place and her classes! read more

Mel Rice Ceramica - Home Decor Near Me - San Francisco, California

Had the absolute worst experience with Mel after investing so much time, effort, and money into this studio. Long review to explain our situation and present all my evidence but tl;dr is that Mel overcharged my partner and I $536 claiming we owed her for membership and clay (we didn't, but paid before we'd realized) and then she refused to refund us that $536, claiming that we owed her for reasons that were never before mentioned to us, and terms we'd never agreed to. The long version: My partner and I had been members of Mel's studio for 7 months. When we joined as members, all we were told is that there's a monthly membership fee, the cost of clay is $10 per block, and all payment is through Venmo. Since then, no one ever mentioned any issues to us about our studio usage until last week, when Mel texted us out of nowhere accusing us of never having made any membership payments, and saying that we haven't been paying for the amount of clay we're using. She sent us Venmo charges totaling close to $1,000 for membership and clay without any evidence. She said that she'd packed up all our stuff at the studio ($700 worth of our personal stuff) and was kicking us out and holding our stuff hostage until we paid these charges. We knew we'd been paying but completed some of the charges in good faith, in case we accidentally missed any months. We then looked through our Venmo and sent her screenshots of all our payments for membership and clay. We figured out that we'd paid her close to $2,700 in membership before her charges and had paid for double the amount of clay that she was counting. In the end she had over-charged us $536 and owed us back that money. A few days later we called her and she refused to refund us, claiming that she's "not able to see our Venmo charges on her end." This is an unbelievable claim given a) how simple Venmo is, b) we have screenshots/transaction ids for every payment, and c) that she's supposedly running a business and reporting taxes using an app she's not able to navigate. She then changed her reason for not refunding us to be that we've produced too much pottery, damaged her stuff, and have taken up too much space at her studio. None of these claims are true (we have the evidence to back it), but ultimately the issue is that she is retroactively charging us based on terms we never agreed to. Also, no one ever gave us feedback that we need to do things differently at the studio. If she had told us that based on our production, we would need to pay more going forward, we would've agreed. We're beginner potters and if we're doing something that we shouldn't be, it's the studio's job to alert us. But because she's rarely in the studio, she never communicated any of this to us and is holding our money hostage for following what we thought were the rules, instead of reading her mind. I think she's totally within her rights to feel negatively about us, and honestly even kick us out of the studio if we're not her favorite customers but she does not have the right to keep our money for reasons we were not aware of or did not agree to. We initially approached this situation in good faith and were open to discussing Mel's issues and settling any payments we owed her but we were met with hostility, lack of reason, and exploitative business practices. We're unfortunately gearing up to take legal action so I'd recommend saving yourself the drama and trying one of the many well-run and community-oriented studios in the Bay! read more

Long story short: Mel is a Boss, she has a great spirit which makes classes so fun, and this is one of the most affordable studios in town. Highly recommend! I was looking for a tactile, physical-ish creative hobby after a sad, pandemic year of computering all day. Mel's classes are constantly sold out and so I was lucky to land a seat in the 4 week wheel course. The class is only 12 people, so you get a lot of individual attention and Mel is super hands on. She gives at least 2 tutorials each class and can help straighten out the lumpiest of pots (mine). It's incredible to see how much you can learn and create in 4 weeks. I ended up making 3 pieces, but the people around me with more natural talent made double that. We spent 2-3 classes throwing and then 1-2 weeks trimming and glazing. At course completion you can become a member or take the next level class. The whole making-pottery-thing was great, but half the experience is who your teacher is. Mel is one of those cool rockstar people you really only meet in San Francisco and I can't recommend her studio enough. read more

Mel Rice Ceramica - Trimmed pots - Home Decor Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Really fun classes! Perfect for a beginner and the studio is beautiful and easy to navigate. read more

Mel Rice Ceramica - Home Decor Near Me - San Francisco, California

I was gifted a 5 week course and am so grateful! What a fun way to start a new hobby. Mel is welcoming and fun from the beginning! Not to mention, she's a total pro. So helpful and patient! Driving in from the north bay for class the location couldn't be easier! Always parking nearby and in a good neighborhood. I came into class a complete beginner and can definitely say I've learned a lot and will absolutely look forward to more time in the studio. read more

Mel Rice Ceramica - Work in progress! - Home Decor Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I'm writing a different review now that I have finished my classes here. I'm very disappointed in the professionalism of this studio. I made a beautiful cheese board for a wedding gift and it was carelessly lost. I kept track of the day it was being fired after I glazed it and came back immediately to find it missing. Vincent helped me look for it bc he loaded the kiln and attested to seeing it then but the guy who unloaded it said he didn't see it. I'm very upset. Also my glazes all turned out horribly, I followed the directions and glazed twice. Vincent tried to gas light me by making me feel like I did it wrong but I wasn't the only one whose glazes came out a gross looking brown. During the class sessions, Vincent was not very kind in his explanations & would snap at people often. He kept calling one guy the wrong name for all 4 weeks to the point it became a joke. The unfriendly manner made it hard to learn and I did my best to stay calm and polite but it was frustrating. No wonder people kept dropping out and we ended up only having 4 people left out of 12 at the end. Mel seemed lovely the one day she came by. But overall the studio is highly disorganized and needs to be deeply cleaned. I'm joining sunset clay studio as it's a much better deal for my money and the space is 100x better. Having staff who care about students work helps too. read more

I took a 4 week dinnerware pottery class at Mel Rice this summer and it was so amazing and worth it! Really lovely studio- everyone is super kind and helpful and they make you feel so welcome. Can't wait to take my next class and end up with more pieces :) read more

Mel Rice Ceramica - Home Decor Near Me - San Francisco, California

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One of the most unprofessional places that I ever had the misfortune of patronizing. Not only is the owner super rude and nasty with the way she speaks to folks when she's upset but some of her staff are incredibly rude as well. I gave the studio a chance because I want to support places in my neighborhood and I actually wanted to do this as a form of self care but it ended up being the opposite. I left the studio in tears. On my second studio date, there was a man that works there that literally yelled at students for doing something wrong (everyone in the class is new to the space btw). There's another instructor that just literally shows so much irritation in his face when he has to help people. In general, there should be at least two staff there to help people on the wheel (for a full class) because it is a very challenging tasks for newbies. On my last visit, there was some miscommunication with my cell phone. The owner thought that I was not paying attention because I had my AirPods in but my sound was off and I only had my phone in hand to turn off notifications off, then I put it away; paying attention to her demo. The way that she talked to me about the situation you would've thought I was literally on the phone throughout the entire demo texting or something. When she said that I was being disrespectful, I just apologize and moved on because I wasn't going to go back-and-forth about it. Her tone was very sharp and passive aggressive. After that me, and another student simply asked her a question, mines had nothing to do with the demo, and she completely just snapped on me. She didn't even let me finish what I was asking; clearly she was mad about the phone still. She said something along the lines of "girl if I have to repeat myself one more time"! It was something else very snarky that she said right before that, but I can't exactly remember. The other student was right there and heard the whole conversation. After that, I just decided to leave because she made me feel so unsafe and uncomfortable. And again this is all because of her assuming what was really happening with my AirPods /phone. I had been paying attention to her demo the whole time and I literally had only been on my phone for 30 seconds to turn it off. But she wouldn't have known that because she automatically jumped in to defense mode. I'm really disappointed about the whole experience I just expected more in general. If I'm being honest, even before she lashed out on me, I had been feeling hesitant to come back to the studio because the vibes in there from instructors are really not well. And the class is a little bit chaotic and unstructured. Just a heads up as well, she has a super energetic dog that's always barking in the studio. I know it's San Francisco and everybody loves their dogs, but that should've been something on her website letting folks know (maybe I missed that but I don't think so) I love trying new art forms as a way to help with my mental health and a general form of self care. This totally shattered my experience with pottery to the point where I don't think I even want to do another one class anywhere else. The owner should really reconsider how she speaks to people even when she's frustrated; you never know what people are going through and why they came to your studio. It took me a lot to get there across town just for me to be talked to like a dog. Extremely hurt by my experience here. P.S. messy and disorganized. Very easy to have things go missing or broken read more

Obsessed with this studio! My sister and I signed up just for fun to pick up a new hobby and Mel has inspired us to invest in a membership after our 5 week class. The studio is so welcoming for beginners and everyone around is more than willing to help if you're stumped on something. Mel was so flexible after missing our first class (our older sister gave birth) and we were able to join the next class even with the class being full she found room for us. Whether you're a newbie or a pro can't recommend this studio enough . :) read more

Mel Rice Ceramica - Art - Home Decor Near Me - San Francisco, California

I just began the 6 week pottery class for beginners and I am already so glad that I signed up for this class! By day one we already went over three different techniques. I also loved that Mel gave us a run down on the different types of clay and their attributes. As a beginner this is super nice to know right off the bat! Mel is also an amazing instructor, she is super patient and will take the time to help each and every student. I am super excited for what the next 5 weeks have in store. I've included a picture of what I was able to complete day one! A few pinch pots (that need a lot of smoothing out) and half of a sheep! read more

Mel Rice Ceramica - Home Decor Near Me - San Francisco, California

I loveee Mel and her pottery studio! I took the 4 week dinnerware class and made so many beautiful pieces! Studio hours are really helpful and I made basically unlimited pieces. read more

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A gorgeous studio space with fun instruction for first timers. There's also the added bonus of this space being pet friendly! read more

Mel Rice Ceramica - Studio - Home Decor Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Great studio! I've really enjoyed taking pottery lessons here and appreciate how tMel and other instructions encourage students to be creative and take risks -- even if we are just beginners! I've learned so much and honestly feel more confident in my creative abilities after these classes. read more

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Mel is the best! I've taken two rounds of classes at this studio and my technique and ability to throw has improved greatly. Love how helpful all of the staff here are and the fact that it's a dog-friendly space. Highly recommend for anyone looking to learn a new skill, adopt a fun hobby or take a class with a loved one. read more

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Such a fun intro to ceramics class! I was able to use studio time to make all these things on the wheel and hand build. Making up classes was super easy and everyone in the studio (students and instructors) are very kind. Can't wait to glaze.. read more

Mel Rice Ceramica - First time ceramics ~ - Home Decor Near Me - San Francisco, California

Enjoying this class! The Studio is cozy and well appointed. Relaxed vibe. Some days/times more busy than others but have always had a spot or corner to practice stuff. Has a nice little outdoor back area where you can catch a breather. read more

So, where do I begin?! I simply love this place and could literally LIVE in this studio! It had been a very long time since I found something new i could feel so passionate about and Mel definitely played such a big role in this. For a while I had been thinking about trying pottery and signed up for the 6 weeks course of hand building + throwing. The classes were so exciting and full of information that we couldn't feel how 3 hours pass. (Btw, the little stegosaurus guy is my very first clay project of the very first pottery class at Mel Rice Ceramica!). Mel is such a gentle soul and badass in one; and her energy and passion are simply contagious! She's inspiring as a human and a potter! After the course I couldn't help but get a membership to the studio to continue this exciting journey. During the day you can find Iyla in the studio, who'll go above and beyond to help you if you have questions. In the evenings Jay is around and helping everyone, explaining things in the finest details with great patience. And of course Mel, who'll individually approach everyone, help and make them feel home . read more

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After completing this course this month, all I can say is that this place is about maxing out student numbers, not about teaching any good fundamental skills for ceramics. The teacher Jay and Mel when she showed up were slap dash and lacked the ability to teach effectively. I guess it's coz it's so darn crowded , it's impossible for them to teach. The studio was mobbed every time I went for the entire course. The class description doenst list how big the classes are and that's a huge problem. I think there are something like 17 or more students for each class, and then on top of that there are 4-5 more pple , coz the studio allows make up classes any day of the week -without pre-signups so you have 20 + people in a small studio space. And so you're shoulder to shoulder, with not enough table space for hand building, and ofthen not enough wheels for throwing. All in all the studio is disorganized. My teacher was sub par and just lacked experience as a real teacher. The class is billed as for beginners and intermediate. It was bad for both: beginners get very little teaching, and intermediates, you dont get anything to help further your skills. Because it's so crowded, it is not a therapeutic experience at all - if you're looking for a calm, meditative creative space which is what an evening ceramics class should be -Relaxing, friendly, soothing - This place is not that! On teaching: Teaching is also pretty slap dash - do NOT come if you are serious about learning the finer skills of ceramics, and do NOT come if you are intermediate! you'll get nothing from the teachers! better just do an open studio somewhere else, where you'll get more out of it. There is no artistic integrity from the teacher Mel - she was more excited that we could make things that would "cost a lot more at the stores". She's a commercial thrower by background and it shows. There is no love for the art of ceramics/pottery. And then of course, they lost 1/2 of the pieces I made since there are too many people, and i guess my pieces got mistakenly taken??by other students in other sessions. Just an all round unsatisfactory class and space for learning. Find another smaller studio that can give you time and space. read more

Great class to learn different techniques, especially for a beginner like me. All the teachers were knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly :)

Mel is an absolute gem of a human who runs the most fabulous, fun, and funky ceramics studio in the heart of the Richmond. It feels like a true artists' home, the way every little bit of this place is a part of Mel's personality and style. She makes everything by hand including the clay and the glazes, and not a piece of plastic goes wasted here. Between the homey atmosphere and her cutie doggo wandering around, this ceramics studio will leave you wanting to come back. Seriously, take a class and soak in the creative energy of this place!! I made friends in my Thursday night class and we come back to the studio on our non-class days to finish projects together (personal doggos in tow). It's a blast. read more

Mel Rice Ceramica - Waiting for glaze! - Home Decor Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I'm taking the 5-week intro class wheel throwing/hand building, and I can not express enough how positive of an experience it has been. On the first day, we learned three different hand-building techniques and the fundamentals of handling clay. I've been to several ceramic studios in San Francisco, and I can say without a doubt Mel Rice Ceramica is the most welcoming studio in the city. Mel is an excellent teacher that oozes positivity. From the first class, Mel encourages beginners to take risks, fosters creativity, and approaches teaching with kindness. Unlike other ceramic studios in the city, you really get the sense that Mel wants to share her passion for the craft and create a safe/welcoming community space. If you are a beginner looking to try out wheel throwing/handbuilding, I HIGHLY recommend taking a class here. (ALSO- Big plus for all the dogos that are allowed in the studio!) read more

Absolutely recommend this studio to anyone looking for a nice friendly easygoing intro into pottery. I am having so much fun and Mel the owner is such a wonderful loving soul. I am really enjoying this as an after work way to get some of my artistic juices flowing. read more

Mel Rice Ceramica - My first piece. - Home Decor Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I'm on week 5 of the 6 week beginners pottery course and I absolutely love it!! The team here is so great, and I've learned so much in such a short time! I've made bowls, plates, mugs, and so much more. Would highly recommend for anyone looking to try to something new! read more

Mel Rice Ceramica - Home Decor Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I signed up for a 6 week class at Mel Rice studio and had my first class last Saturday. So far soooo good! I have zero experience with ceramic but Mel makes me feel like I can do a bunch of cool things as long as I put my mind into it. I look forward to seeing how much I grow from the beginning to the end of the class! read more

Mel Rice Ceramica - Home Decor Near Me - San Francisco, California