Hummingbird Pottery
Studio owner, Melanie Tuck began her pottery journey in 2019. Prior to that she was an avid collector with a deep love for handmade ceramics. Mel grew up on a farm near Lavoy, Alberta with Connie Pike as her original inspiration, as Connie & Bob Pike had their studio there. What started as admiration turned into action when she set up her first studio—and she’s never looked back.
Alongside extensive online training, Melanie has studied in person with renowned ceramic artist Tim See and Glaze Guru John Britt, expanding her skills in those areas. Her passion for learning also took her to Portugal, where she studied Portuguese tile making and sculpture with Sofia Simões. She continues to learn and experiment every day.
Melanie’s work focuses on wheel throwing and hand building, with a strong emphasis on functional pieces that are meant to be used and loved. In 2022, she built her own glaze kitchen, opening the door to endless exploration of color and surface—an ongoing challenge of knowing when to stop chasing “just one more” beautiful glaze.
Outside the studio, Melanie has spent over 34 years as an Athletic Therapist, using her hands to help others heal. Pottery has since become her own form of therapy—creative, grounding, and endlessly inspiring.
She looks forward to welcoming you into the studio for fun, exploration, and hands-on learning. Together, you’ll discover your rhythm, build confidence, and create beautiful things along the way.
Courses
To join a class, please contact Mel directly.
Get Centered: Clay Basics & Beyond
Level 1 | $450 per person
Hummingbird Pottery 27425 Township Road 394, Lacombe County
Get your hands dirty and your creativity flowing in this fun, immersive, beginner-friendly 8-class pottery series!
Over two months, we’ll explore “a lot of things clay,” giving you a joyful introduction to the many ways you can shape, build, and express yourself through this versatile medium. You’ll try your hand at the pottery wheel, experiment with slab construction, and learn the ins and outs of clay & tool selection. Along the way, we’ll cover essential techniques—plus a few rule-breaking moments—so you can discover your own style while building confidence with every piece.
We’ll touch the “surface” of surface decoration, playing with oxides, stains, slip techniques, and creative form alterations to make your work truly one-of-a-kind. You’ll learn trimming skills that balance both function & design, and wrap things up with some exciting glaze experimentation. In our final “Pot Luck” social, we’ll celebrate your creations together—revealing finished pieces, sharing feedback, and learning from each other in a relaxed, supportive atmosphere.
Stay Centered: Next Steps in Clay
Level 2 | $450 per person
Hummingbird Pottery 27425 Township Road 394, Lacombe County
Take your skills to the next level in Stay Centred, an intermediate pottery series designed for those ready to build on a solid foundation. If you’re already comfortable centring clay on the wheel, this class will help you refine your technique, gain greater control, and expand your creative range. We’ll focus on throwing with intention as you begin working with larger and more complex forms—think lidded jars, butter dishes, small plates, and medium-sized vases and bowls—all while strengthening consistency and confidence at the wheel.
Alongside form, we’ll deepen your understanding of the full pottery process, including the basics of kiln firing so you can better anticipate and influence your final results. You’ll also explore surface decoration in greater depth, experimenting with oxides, stains, slip techniques, and thoughtful form alterations to elevate your work.
This series is all about moving from practice to precision—helping you stay centered while developing a more personal, expressive voice in clay.
Off Centre: Form & Fire
Level 3 | $475 per person
Hummingbird Pottery 27425 Township Road 394, Lacombe County
Step into your own creative rhythm in this advanced series designed to refine your skills and develop your personal voice in clay. Building on strong foundational techniques, you’ll tackle more complex forms, larger pieces, and multi-part creations while honing precision, consistency, and control at the wheel.
This course goes deeper into surface and story—personalized decorative techniques, exploring glaze combinations, and learning how firing choices impact your final work. With a focus on intentional making, you’ll develop a small, cohesive body of work that reflects your unique style. Through guided experimentation, kiln insight, and group critique, Off Centre invites you to take creative risks, push boundaries, and discover what makes your work truly yours.
This level should feel like: refinement + risk-taking + personal style
Glazing with Intention: glazes for predictable results, testing & documenting outcomes understanding how firing affects results.
Kiln Confidence: Loading strategies, basic firing schedules, troubleshooting results – warping, glaze issues, etc.
Personal Project / Series: create a small body of work (3–6 related pieces). Focus on
cohesion, concept, function. Encourages artistic voice vs. one-off pieces
Critique & Reflection: Group feedback sessions. Learning how to evaluate work (your own & others). Talking about intention vs. outcome.
Private Lessons
$45 / hour
If you are:
- struggling in an area of Pottery & you want some one-on-one help
- looking to set up a studio and want help with logistics
- wanting to set up a glaze kitchen and want help knowing how to get set up
- wanting help with troubleshooting issues, bring your work and I can help identify solving these problems
- kiln repair or set up help (at your studio or mine)
- purchasing supplies and need advice
- really needing help in any area, just ask!
Memberships
Membership Price
Included – Glazes/Firing/Tools/Slab Roller/etc
Minimum 2-month commitment.
Raku Firing Days
Join me to Raku Fire pots! You can bring bisque fired & glazed or prepped pots for firing or just come to
help or watch the firing process. These Raku Firings are magical and being involved even without
having any of your own work to fire can be exciting and a great learning opportunity. Watch my
Instagram page for upcoming firings or reach out to inquire if you want me to add you to the list for the
next firing.
Pottery & Yoga Retreats
As a Yogi & Certified Athletic Therapist as well as Potter… I love to combine therapeutic exercise with
yoga, meditation, journaling and of course pottery to make for an immersive experience where you
gain pottery skills, do some self care and connect with others doing the same. Reach out if you have a
small group and we can pick dates that work for you. Follow my Instagram page for anything upcoming
or let me know to add you to the wait list for the next retreat.
Custom Sessions
Looking for a fun way to spend 3 hours or more? Use your imagination and we can create a custom
session for you and your group.
- Stagettes (group size depending on project you choose)
- Couples Night (up to 2 couples)
- Hand Build a Mug (up to 6 people)
- Create a Charcuterie Plate (up to 6 people)
- Make your own earrings (up to 8 people)
- Quick Throw – Wheel Throwing Experience (up to 3 people only)
- Throw Large Forms (Intermediate Potters)
- Make a Lidded Jar (Intermediate Potters)
- You dream it… we can consider doing it!
Mel waxing bottoms at her home studio. 2025
Mel’s very first pot. Nov 9, 2019
Mel at Tim See’s 5 day intensive throwing workshop in Syracuse NY.
Mel at Tim See’s 5 day intensive Throwing workshop in Syracuse NY
Custom pottery mug order for a local business.
Mel stopped in to see master potter Steven Hill in Kansas 2026
Mel with Glaze Guru John Britt 2023 at his glaze workshop in Creston, BC
Making test tiles for new glazes at John Britt’s Workshop in Creston
Mel with Sofia Oliveira Simoes Ceramic Artist, Colares, Portugal 2024
Contact Mel
To take part in any of these offerings, please use the dropdown selection in the contact form to let Mel know which course you would like to join. Course payments are accepted through E-transfer.
If you have any questions before joining, Mel would love to hear from you!
