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JOIN A REGULAR CLASS

We offer high quality classes for beginners to intermediates in hand building and wheel work.

2026 Term Dates

Term 1: 5 Jan - 28 Mar

Term 2: 7 Apr - 25 Jun
Term 3: 13 Jul - 19 Sept
Term 4: 5 Oct - 12 Dec

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When you sign up to a regular class, you’re also signing up for: 

 

Unlikely connections formed around the wedging table, dedicated time to get to know your unique creative expression, the joy of a floppy pinch pot, those resilience building moments when the clay decides to do its own thing and cuddles from Kinsuigi, our founder's dog who likes the morning classes to protect us from squirrel attacks. We haven’t seen a squirrel on Woodstock main road, but don’t tell Kin.

JOIN A REGULAR GROUP 

All-level pottery classes for the clay curious and pottery enthusiasts looking for community, meaning and a way to slow down in a busy, disconnected world. Our regular classes are a space for creative play and connection outside of an algorithm, with the high level teaching support you need to make the pieces you’re excited to make. 

 

Regular classes have a handbuilding focus with wheel support, and run in 10-week blocks four times a year, to give you the time to create without the pressure to rush. Join a weekly class of 10 sessions, or a fortnightly class of 5 sessions for a lighter commitment. 

 

For those eager to master the wheel, check out our comprehensive, fortnightly Foundations Course to build throwing confidence and skill. See all our class options below. If you have some of the basics down and want to get on with advancing your knowledge consider joining our advancing classes with Tash or Umi. 

“I just completed my first term at Clay Hands and will be coming back for as long as I possibly can!! ...I started out not knowing anything and felt a bit overwhelmed, but Umi and the other members of my class were so helpful, kind, and encouraging that I felt at home in no time. Everyone around me was making these beautiful, creative pieces, but still always took the time to come and compliment my wonky little pinch pots and offer help and ideas wherever they could. It is such a lovely community feeling and the giddy happiness that comes with seeing your first piece finished is unmatched!”  
Sarah James Term 2 Wednesday Evening

More Info

We set you up for success each term with:

What makes Clay Hands different from other studios?

What can I expect in class?

• Expert guidance from your teacher, Tash, Val, Jomari, Sikho or Zanele - professional potters trained in all-level pottery teaching with years of experience to guide you through every part of the creative process. No question is silly here! • A small enough class size to ensure you get the attention, support and time you need from your teacher whether you’re handbuilding or throwing. • The permission to leave your perfectionism at the door. This is a space to play without the pressure to be ‘good’. • Regular demos on fundamental handbuilding, wheel throwing and decorative techniques. • A coffee and snack break midway through every class to get to know your classmates. Communal snacks are brought by students who volunteer at the start of the term. • A 50- 90cm private shelf for work-in-progress and 5kg of clay per term (extra available at a student discount). • Access to our fully stocked studio including aprons, tea, Deluxe coffee, tools, formers, moulds, extensive colour slips, underglazes and access to about 18 different gorgeous dipping glazes. • Bisque and glaze firing for all pieces made in the studio during the term.

We are an established studio who’ve been teaching pottery for over 8 years. Our highly qualified and skilled teachers are trained to support you in making whatever you’d like to create in the space, as well as support you when the clay doesn’t want to cooperate. Our founder, Tash, is a third generation potter, infusing Clay Hands with a generational love and admiration for the modality of clay into everything we do. If you’re ever feeling stuck and not sure what you’d like to make, our teachers are on hand to help, and each term includes various demos and themes to inspire you on your journey. We don’t take ourselves too seriously though, and consider our studio a space where you can leave expectation and perfectionism at the door. It’s why we love working with clay, it’s a humbling artform that teaches us the value in surrendering to the creative process. Finally, our community is not something we take lightly. We’ve set up our space to encourage conversation and connection, from our small and intimate classes with breaks for snacks and chats midway through class, our U-shaped handbuilding table, to the way our wheels are clustered together. We also host regular in person events and student showcases to give our students chances to connect away from screens and distraction. Everyone is welcome here, no matter your age, gender, race, or background.

Our classes are structured based on whether they are an all level or advancing class. All level classes start with demos for new potters, including fundamental techniques like how to make a pinch pot, how to coil and how to slab. Advancing classes include more technical demos, like how to throw a vase or more intricate glazing techniques. All classes offer the space for you to work on your own project. Your teacher will also walk around the class, ready to help as you need. Our terms often have a theme, for example a focus on teapots or a theme more open to interpretation like Into The Wild. Of course, you’re welcome to ignore the theme altogether, many students do! We salute their rebellious, creative spirit. Each term starts with an introduction to get to know your fellow potters, and no term is complete without an optional game of claytionary (aka pictionary but with clay) and a little 'end of term party' to celebrate the 10 weeks together.

Explore working with clay. 
We offer short fortnightly hand building and wheel throwing classes for beginners and dabblers

5 weeks

“The atmosphere of the studio is magical and Val is a friendly and encouraging instructor. Booking a spot in the 5 week handbuilding course was one of the best things I did for myself this year.” 
 Arya Prem, Term 2 Saturday Class

Weekly Classes

all level classes

Monday, Tuesday & Thursday evenings
Open to all levels. Each session includes demonstrations in both foundational and advancing techniques, with the freedom to pursue your own projects.

“It's all walks of life but we all are after the same things, a safe place to be with like minded people.”  
Nina Hattingh Term 2 Wednesday Evening

advancing classes

Wednesday & Friday mornings, Wednesday evenings
A space for deepening clay knowledge and building community. Expect a mix of technical guidance, creative challenges, and ongoing conversations about clay as a living practice.

FAQ's

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