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Clay Hands Showdown – A New Termly Challenge




At Clay Hands, we believe that creativity blossoms in the presence of gentle challenge. When imagination meets intention, something beautiful takes shape—not just in clay, but in the hearts of those who make it.

This term, we're excited to introduce a new creative initiative: The Clay Hands Showdown — a termly pottery challenge inspired by the spirit of The Great Pottery Throwdown. Each term, we’ll offer a theme to ignite your imagination, deepen your skills, and stir up a bit of playful studio camaraderie. Think of it as a nudge to stretch a little further, to explore the edges of your making, and to celebrate the joy of clay as a community.

This Term’s Theme: The Tea Ceremony Set

You’re invited to create in response to one of two categories:

  • 🍵 Hand-build a teapot – a celebration of form, function, and personality.

  • 🥛 Wheel-throw a sugar pot and milk jug set – explore balance, proportion, and the sweet charm of matching forms.

Over the course of the term, our class demonstrations will reflect techniques and ideas to support your making. Whether you're new to the studio or one of our seasoned potters, the Showdown is open to everyone who’s keen to get their hands (and hearts) into it.

You can enter as an individual, or—if your class is game—you can team up and work towards a collective submission. (Some of you asked, and yes, we’re considering a “Class With The Mostest” prize too—more on that soon!)

How It Works:

  • Make your piece/s during this term.

  • Submit your finished work by 4 July (2 weeks after term-end to give us time for firing)

  • Judging will be external and prizes will be awarded early in term 3.

🎁 Winner’s Loot:

  • A bag of Walford China White porcelain (R400 value)

  • A Clay Hands gift voucher worth R300

Get Inspired

We’ve curated a few pinboards to get your creative cogs turning: 🫖 Hand-built teapots: https://pin.it/82d5WU9Vd 🥣 Sugar & milk sets: https://pin.it/4dJlbo3zV

And keep an eye out for upcoming blog posts where we’ll dive into the history of tea ceremonies, share hand-building and throwing tips, and give sneak peeks at what others are making. 🎥 Never heard of The Great Pottery Throw Down?It’s a warm, delightful British reality show that celebrates potters of all skill levels and their passion for clay. Highly recommended for a dose of inspiration (and maybe a few happy tears):

Why We’re Doing This

The Clay Hands Showdown is about more than prizes—it's about play, process, and pushing past the familiar. It’s about asking questions like: What would happen if I let my hands follow a curve they’ve never tried? What would a teapot look like if it came from my imagination, not a reference?

We hope this termly challenge becomes a gentle fire under your making—sparking joy, courage, and curiosity. There’s no pressure. Just an open invitation to make something that matters to you, and to be seen in your process.

So, pick up your tools. Turn the wheel. Roll that slab. Steep your ideas. And let the first ever Clay Hands Showdown begin!

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