My weekend pottery wheel setup clashes with the cat’s new climbing obsession

I recently set up my pottery wheel in the corner of the living room next to a big window for natural light. The problem is, my cat has discovered the shelving unit right above it as the perfect climbing playground. She’s started knocking over my clay tools and even swatted a half-finished bowl off the wheel once. I’ve tried moving some supplies higher and using deterrent mats, but she’s persistent and still manages to cause a bit of chaos during my sessions. I want to keep the pottery space in that spot because the light is just right, and I don’t have room elsewhere. At the same time, I need to protect my tools and work from becoming her next toy. Has anyone dealt with a curious pet invading their craft or hobby area? What clever setups or barriers have worked for you to keep things safe without locking the cat out completely? Would love ideas for balancing the cat’s playfulness with my messy, delicate creative process.