MEET THE TEAM
CLAY HANDS IS A WOMEN-OWNED SMALL STUDIO BASED IN CAPE TOWN WITH TEAM OF PEOPLE WHO ALL BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF CLAY. TOGETHER THEY CREATE AND HOLD A SANCTUARY STUDIO SPACE FOR OTHERS TO DISCOVER AND DEVELOP THIS ANCIENT CREATIVE AND FUNCTIONAL SKILL.
IT'S A FAMILY VIBE.
NATASHA HUMAN
FOUNDER & TEACHER
Tash has a great love for creativity and nature and their merging in the process of pottery. She is a 3rd generation potter following in the clay path set by her late grandmother, Valerie and mother, Lissa (earthplaystudio). She opened the Clay Hands studio in April 2018 after years of working and training at Earth Play Studio.
Tash is dedicated to holding, growing and maintaining the Clay Hands space and is deeply invested in supporting the innate creativity in others through offering studio space for people to learn the skill involved in working with clay. She is committed to the healing power of reconnecting with clay and believes this connection is important for healing ourselves as well as our earth.
The female line continues -Tash is a proud mama to Lyra Human, born in June 2022.
First clay memory ... "being mesmerised by the trimmings that came off the pots as my mom turned her pieces in her studio as I was growing up"
Follow Tash on insta: @bynatashahuman
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JOMARI BUDRICKS
TEACHER
Umi was introduced to ceramics as part of her industrial design degree and fell in love. Her love of mud had to wait on the sidelines while she began her dazzling design career (she’s by now a well established and badass industrial designer).
Now Jomari has at last turned her attention back to clay, spending the last few years growing her knowledge and practice through the Clay Hands studio. She completed her Clay Hands teacher training in July 2021 and now teaches the foundation wheel classes and intermediate classes handbuilding and wheel classes. Jomari is an earthed being; gentle, caring and hugely knowledgeable and helpful.
First clay memory ..."Everyone in grade 1 had to make ashtrays for their parents. I think an ashtray was the easiest shape to give to 7 year olds but my parents didn't smoke so it was not as much appreciated."
Follow Umi on insta: @umi.ceramics
VALERIA OTERO
TEACHER & STUDIO MANAGER
Valeria began her clay journey in Argentina over 15 years ago, the material has captivated her ever since. Val joined the Clay Hands studio in 2020, first through an exchange program and then through the Ceramics SA internship program.
She completed her Clay Hands teacher training in November 2021 and now gives regular beginner classes, as well as being studio manager. She’s a patient, caring and beautiful being with much to offer.
Follow Val on insta: @ceramic_essence
First clay memory ..."In primary school, after school hours, we would play with clay and I remember how proud I was of my tiny, very wonky sculptures… wonder where they ended up."
SIKHO MQUQU
TEACHER
Sikho Mququ hails from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. A self-made full-time production potter with a love for narrative functional wares, Sikho has a huge wealth of knowledge and high skill to share. In his studio in Paarden Eiland Sikho produces a wide range of beautiful ceramics to sell at markets and shops around Cape Town and he freelances in other pottery studios (as a highly proficient thrower).
Sikho completed his teacher training in wheel throwing with Clay Hands in March 2023 and is now taking the foundation wheel throwing evening classes. Lucky lot as he has a lot of skill and knowledge to share and plenty of patience to go with it.
First clay memory ..."we used to accompany our mothers to the river for laundry and we'd explore a lot around nature and that's how we discovered clay. We would get sticks to dig it and always rolled it into a lump of clay and start making bulls to run a fighting competition with and the one with a stronger bull takes the lead."
Follow Sikho on insta: @ckho_mququ
SYLVESTER ZANOXOLO MQEKU
STUDIO TECHNICIAN
Sylver joined the Clay Hands team in April 2024 and assists the studio with kiln packing, studio maintenance and clay recycling.
He has a long history with clay, coming to our studio after years of studying ceramics and fine art, he has made a name for himself in the ceramic world with his beautiful creations. We are lucky to have his knowledge in the space!
Follow Sylver on insta: @sylver_constant_art
First clay memory ..."making clay tractors out of mud along the river in my hometown"
SOBAAGH
2025 STUDIO APPRENTICE
I started my apprenticeship with Clay Hands at the beginning of 2025, and it has honestly been
a dream come true. At heart, I am an artist, and I have always wanted to work with clay. After beginning my apprenticeship, I feel like I have
grown to understand more about the process of clay and grown so much as an individual and a
creative. I am grateful for this opportunity to grow and learn in such a welcoming and safe
space. I have also learnt practical skills such as how to pack a kiln, recycle clay, mix glazes and
various other skills that are needed when apprenticing at a studio.
