A piece of pottery is being made. Photo: Li Yuting/GT

Mention pottery to most non-aficionados and that steamy scene from the 1990 film Ghost  usually rears its head. Sat behind the potter's wheel, lovers Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze are seen expertly "throwing" a pot as if it was the easiest thing in the world. In fact the process involves a lot more uncertainty, and creativity, than is suggested in the film.

In technical terms the first step is to put a piece of clay onto the center of the wheel. As the machine starts to turn, the potter is required to press the central part of the clay to create a hollow in the middle and to push the clay into shape as required. During the process, water should be added from time to time in order to humidify the clay.

When the clay has been shaped, it requires several days' air-drying (depending on the weather) which will also enable it to harden. The next step involves polishing the surface to clean and smoothen it. Next comes the glaze-painting and firing.

The art of making pottery ware is not limited to professional potters, however. It is an easily accessible pastime for amateurs, and Shanghai has a number of studios set up for that very purpose. The Global Times found three such studios where people can make their own creations from scratch.

Wuxing Pottery Studio

Opened five years ago, the Wuxing Pottery Studio provides two kinds of modeling material for guests - polymer clay and pottery.

Polymer clay is soft to the touch and easier to shape. This is why it is normally chosen to sculpt into accessories such as key pendants. The clay is offered at the studio in a variety of colors and sculpting polymer clay is akin to kneading plasticine.

For pottery modeling, there are two kinds of wheels: electric powered for cup or pot-shaped pottery ware and small manual-driven wheels for non pot-shaped sculpture.

According to staff, many people come simply for the fun of operating a wheel. But they add that beginners need to be strictly supervised.

After the process of drying and glazing, the pottery ware is put in an oven and fired for about 24 hours at temperatures reaching 1,000 degrees.

At the studio 10 pieces of polymer clay will cost you 90 yuan ($14.29). An introduction to the craft at the studio says: "There's no question that clay is a wonderful medium, and by using it, you can really express your true self," In Shanghai, the company has just opened a second branch in Pudong New Area (Bldg B2, 887 Shangcheng Road, 6088-0191).

Add: Bldg 12, 2577 Longhua Road 龙华路2577号创意大院12幢

Tel: 6468-0971

Average price: 90 yuan per person

Pottery Valley

Pottery Valley also provides wheels, and it normally takes customers about two hours to shape a piece of pottery ware under the guidance of professional staff. But if you're not confident about making something worthwhile yourself, ready-made pieces are also available.

The studio normally charges 180 yuan for each customer to make a pottery ware, although there is currently a discount of 20 percent (150 yuan) available. Reservations need to be made in advance.

Pottery Valley is located in a creative park called M50-JoyWay700, and the studio exhibits many examples of celadon porcelain and pottery artworks from contemporary professionals.

Add: 700 Huangpi Road South 黄陂南路700号

Tel: 6384-8214

Average price: 150 yuan per person

As U Wish Pottery Studio

Unlike the two former studios, As U Wish Pottery Studio offers ready-made bisques (unglazed white ceramic wares) in a variety of shapes.

This means the customer only has the job of painting the surface. And after the painting has dried, the store staff will help to glaze and over-glaze colors, tasks which demand a high degree of skill. Then the pieces are fired and solidified in an oven.

Customers can take the finished works from the studio about 10 days later. According to a staff at the studio, surnamed Jiang, pieces cost between 60 and 200 yuan, depending on the size and shape of bisque the customer chooses.

Polymer clay sculpting can be finished and taken away on the same day, for a price of 80 yuan for two hours.

Add: 1039 Changle Road 长乐路1039号

Tel: 6248-9697

Average price: 100 yuan per person