Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Block.
Hi Tara, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Dame Errant began with a desire to connect the realms of creativity, wellness, and community building. From the beginning, our mission has been to cultivate wellness through creativity by providing welcoming, hands-on experiences that encourage people to slow down, create, and reconnect with themselves. Our workshops and throwing classes are centered around the belief that creativity is a form of self-care. We strive to create a calm, supportive environment where participants can learn, carve, fail, mold, sculpt, press, and fully immerse themselves in the present moment. More than focusing on the finished piece, we value the process itself and the opportunity to explore, play, and experience the therapeutic benefits of making something with your hands. While we hope that our customers like what they make, more than anything we want people to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of spending time in community while being creative.
Community is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that creativity becomes even more meaningful when practiced alongside others, and our studio serves as a gathering place where people can connect, learn, and grow together. Through workshops, open clay sessions, member meetups, and collaborative events with local partners, we have built a vibrant, creative community that welcomes both beginners and experienced makers alike.
What started as a small offering of just a couple of workshops each week has grown into a thriving clay studio offering six or more workshops weekly, as well as membership programs that support ongoing creative practice. Today, members have access to dedicated studio time, community events, workshop discounts, and resources that allow them to deepen their relationship with clay and creativity. As we continue to grow, our purpose remains the same, to offer a safe and inspiring space where people can explore creativity, nurture their well-being, and experience the joy of making something together.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was a big leap from a small personal studio that sat 10 people to our current classroom which seats 34. Another challenge was learning what things were important to perfect and what to delegate and just let go. The best skill I have learned is that done is often better than perfect, and it is a constant learning experience.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My name is Tara Block, and I’m the founder and owner of Dame Errant Clay studio. I am a ceramic artist, creator, and lifelong explorer of the creative process. For more than a decade, I have worked with clay, drawn to its remarkable ability to transform from raw earth into objects that can endure for generations. My practice centers on wheel-thrown pottery and the pursuit of what many call “flow,” which to me means the quiet, immersive state that emerges when hands, mind, and material move together.
I specialize in simple, functional forms that celebrate individuality rather than perfection. No two pieces are exactly alike; instead, they share a common intentionality that allows for subtle variations and unexpected harmonies to emerge. I see clay as both a medium and a teacher, a space for experimentation, curiosity, and discovery.
What I am most proud of is maintaining a practice rooted in play and wonder. Rather than striving for rigid precision, I embrace risk and imperfection as essential parts of the creative journey. Some pieces may not survive the process, but that willingness to explore often leads to the most meaningful discoveries.
What sets my work apart is my belief that creativity is not about producing flawless objects—it is about reconnecting with our innate capacity to create. Through my pottery, I hope to inspire others to engage with their own creative power and to recognize that the same transformative energy that shapes clay can also shape how we experience and influence the world around us.
What’s next?
Looking ahead, we’re excited to continue growing in ways that bring even more value to our community while maintaining the welcoming, small-studio atmosphere our members love.
One of our goals is to begin offering yoga and other wellness-focused events. We have many yoga practitioners within our studio community, and we’d love to make these classes and experiences available both as a membership perk and as an offering for the broader community.
We’re also looking forward to expanding our event and gathering spaces. While we currently host private events and offer event space bookings, we hope to introduce bookable private rooms that members can use for gatherings, meetings, or even co-working. This would create even more opportunities for connection and collaboration within our community.
Over the past few years, we’ve been thrilled by the growth of our studio, especially our expanding membership base. As we continue to add new offerings and keep things fresh, we remain committed to building a strong sense of community and preserving the intimate and personal studio experience that our members value most.
Pricing:
- Clay Moment $35
- Single Workshops $48-$85
- 6 Week Workshops $375 and up
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dameerrant.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dameerrant
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/dameerrant
