How big can I make my piece?

The workshop covers one large piece up to about 2000cm³ (e.g., a 14×14×10cm vase, 25cm plate, or 12×15×10cm mug).

Participants must be at least 12 years old to attend.

When and how do I get my finished pieces?

Pieces dry, are bisque-fired, glazed, and glaze-fired; finished work is returned to Shellharbour for pickup about 4–5 weeks after the workshop.

Is delivery of finished pieces included?

No—delivery is excluded. Pickup information will be emailed when pieces are ready.

What happens if the minimum ticket number isn't met?

The event requires at least ten tickets to run; if the minimum isn’t reached you’ll be contacted within a week and offered a refund or studio credit.

Are finished pieces food-safe?

When properly fired and glazed through the studio’s two-step process, pieces are generally durable and suitable for everyday use—follow any care guidance provided.

Carved Mug Two-Day Clay Workshop in Shellharbour | Leatherhard Carving Experience | Workshop

On a sleepy street in Shellharbour, the Carved Mug two-day workshop turns ordinary clay into a carved keepsake. Located in Shellharbour, New South Wales, at the meeting point 80b Towradgi Rd Towradgi, this Clay @ the Village session focuses on the leatherhard stage—the moment when clay is stiff enough to hold form but still soft enough to accept fine incision. Over two afternoons you’ll hand-build a large mid-fire piece, leave it to partially dry overnight, and return to carve designs into that perfect leatherhard surface. Day one is about shaping: under teacher guidance you’ll learn basic hand-building techniques using mid-fire clay, templates, and tools supplied by the studio. The class builds pieces up to a large size allowance (roughly 2000cm³), which translates into a generous mug, plate, or small vase. Overnight the studio begins controlled drying, then you come back for day two, carving with dedicated tools and focused instruction. After the workshop the studio handles drying, bisque firing, glazing in your selected color, and final firing; finished pieces return to Shellharbour for pickup about four to five weeks later. This workshop stands out in the coastal recreation area because it prioritizes that leatherhard window many courses miss. The rhythm—make, wait, carve—mirrors traditional pottery practices while keeping the experience accessible for beginners. The studio provides aprons and tools; participants should wear comfortable clothes and leave jewelry at home. The meeting address, 80b Towradgi Rd Towradgi, anchors the class in a local creative hub within reach of Shellharbour’s beaches and reserves, so you can easily pair the session with a coastal walk or cafe visit. Practical notes: participants must be at least 12 years old; the event requires a minimum of ten tickets to run; delivery of finished pieces is not included. Because volume-based sizing governs pricing, plan your design around the 2000cm³ limit. The mid-fire clay and glazes produce durable household ceramics when properly fired, and the studio’s two-step firing process (bisque then glaze fire) ensures stable, food-safe surfaces if you follow care instructions. For visitors to Shellharbour keen on hands-on experiences, this is a tactile, time-slowing alternative to the region’s outdoor activities—an opportunity to learn technique, leave with a personal object, and gain a small lesson in ceramic chemistry. It’s ideal for makers, couples, and travelers looking to bring home something made by hand rather than purchased from a shop. Booking details are straightforward: sessions run as part of the Clay @ the Village series with dates listed on booking link. Bring patience and curiosity—ceramics reward careful timing—and expect to wait for your finished piece as kiln cycle and glazing schedule take time. If minimum tickets aren't met you'll be offered a refund or a studio credit promptly.

About Black Duck Studio Pty Ltd

Black Duck Studio Pty Ltd operates a hands-on ceramics studio offering classes, workshops and a local firing service. The studio runs after-school and homeschool clay clubs, term-based kids programs, multi-week handbuilding courses, one-off open hand-building sessions, and school holiday workshops. Many classes accept deposits to secure places, including Term 1, 2026 bookings with limited availability; if a preferred day is full the studio offers alternatives or refunds deposits.

Programs include dedicated kids courses for ages eight to teens with materials provided, 10-week after-school terms, and casual homeschool sessions. Adult learners can join an 8-week handbuilding and glazing course with expert guidance, or participate in open workshops designed for experienced potters wanting 90 minutes of clay work plus a painting session. The studio also runs themed workshops such as make-a-mug, make-a-dish, make-a-platter, and seasonal Christmas activities.

Black Duck Studio accommodates NDIS clients with two-hour workshops offering hand-building or glazing and complimentary beverages. A firing service supports local artists and crafters from drop-off through firing with pick-up updates. Event inquiries include private parties, donut tower involvement, and bespoke bookings for celebrations.

Bookings, deposits, and workshop details are published for each offering, and all class descriptions list included materials, session lengths, and post-firing pickup times where applicable. Black Duck Studio Pty Ltd presents practical, activity-based ceramics experiences aimed at learning, creativity, and accessible studio access for students, hobbyists, and community participants. Finished pieces are typically fired and available for pickup within two weeks when specified in the class description. Bookings are required online.