Danielle is now offering private events for groups of 10-20 people. Consider our workshops for special occasions, such as birthday or anniversary parties, or corporate events, such as building amenities or team outings. Our workshops are designed for adults. 

Tea Tasting Workshop

Danielle loves brewing tea gong fu style and has become completely obsessed with making gaiwans--lidded cups for brewing loose leaf tea. 

Gong fu cha, which loosely translates to "making tea with skill" or "making tea with effort", is a traditional Chinese method of preparing and enjoying tea that dates back hundreds of years. Originating in the Chaozhou and Fujian regions of China, gong fu cha engages all the senses in service of brewing loose leaf tea for tasting. A series of strong successive steeps reveal the full flavor profile of tea. Beyond just tasting tea, gong fu cha can become a personal ritual that fosters mindfulness, appreciation of craftsmanship, and fun.

The Tea Tasting Workshop includes: 

• An hour and a half long tea session tasting three to five of Danielle's favorite teas from her personal collection (usually including one cold brew)
• Tea education including an overview of the six types of tea, focusing on Chinese and Taiwanese loose leaf teas
• An introduction to the idea of 'cha qi' or how tea makes you feel
• A Monsoon Pottery tea tasting cup for each participant to take home
• Snacks -- we have tiered options

Please email danielle@monsoonpottery.com with subject line "Tea Tasting" for pricing and scheduling inquiries. Workshops require a minimum of 10 participants.

Cold Brewed Tea Workshop

Appropriate for the hotter months. Danielle will lead you through a guided cold brew and iced tea tasting experience using Monsoon Pottery tea cups. You'll take a guided tasting tour of refreshing cold teas, and Danielle will show you how to get the best brew at home. You'll learn basics about how to cold brew single-origin loose leaf teas, hot/brew techniques for tea blends, a quick iced tea technique, and how to mix matcha into your favorite summer coolers. 

The Cold Brew Tea Workshop includes: 

• An hour and a half long tea session tasting five different cold tea drinks. 
• Instruction on how to make cold brew tea and tisanes, hot/cold brew tea, quick iced tea, and matcha coolers.
• A Monsoon Pottery tea tasting cup for each participant to take home
• Mixed fresh fruit cake from Chicago's Chiu Quon Bakery
• A PDF of the brewing recipes covered in the workshop

Please email danielle@monsoonpottery.com with subject line "Cold Brew Tea Tasting" for pricing and scheduling inquiries. Workshops require a minimum of 10 participants.

Clay Carving Workshop

Learn the technique Danielle employs to create Monsoon Pottery's signature blue and white wares. In this clay carving workshop, participants will create two original porcelain plates. Learn the history of inlay and blue and white wares in addition to the basics of the inlay technique. 

Danielle will discuss the power of the traditional Asian symbols and motifs she references in her own work and encourage you to craft your own. Participants are encouraged to bring ideas and line drawings to reference. 

The Clay Carving Workshop includes: 

• A three hour workshop with hands-on instruction of the inlay technique
• Two small porcelain plates for each participant to decorate
• A history lesson on inlay and blue & white wares
• Help facilitating catering and non-alcoholic beverages (varies with venue)
• Shipping finished plates to visiting participants

Plates usually take 2-3 weeks to fire and finish after the workshop and can be picked up by the organizer at the Monsoon Pottery studio in West Town. 

Please email danielle@monsoonpottery.com with subject line "Clay Carving Workshop" for pricing and scheduling inquiries. Workshops require a minimum of 10 participants.