Make a handcrafted drippy-rim mug in a relaxed three-hour workshop at blackduckstudio’s Towradgi Studio, just minutes from the Wollongong coast. Small groups, hot drinks, and hands-on teaching make this an ideal creative half-day for visitors and locals alike.
Make a handcrafted drippy-rim mug in a relaxed three-hour workshop at blackduckstudio’s Towradgi Studio, just minutes from the Wollongong coast. Small groups, hot drinks, and hands-on teaching make this an ideal creative half-day for visitors and locals alike.
Book with Black Duck Studio Pty Ltd
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Black Duck Studio Pty Ltd · Towradgi, New South Wales
Spring Sessions: Drippy Mug at blackduckstudio's Towradgi Studio sits on the southern edge of Wollongong in Towradgi, New South Wales, Australia. This three-hour clay workshop teaches handbuilding techniques—pinch pots, coils and sculpting—so you can make a functional mug with a dramatic 'drippy' glaze edge. The room is warm with music and hot drinks, a friendly local hub where makers of any age (min. 12) can slow down and shape something tactile.
The scene is intimate: worktables scarred with past projects, tubs of clay, and a bank of glazes in colors that read like an artist's palette. The key features are the workshop’s hands-on instruction and the signature drippy rim effect that makes a simple mug feel like a small sculpture. Natural light from studio windows often catches stray clay flecks, and the nearby coastline—just minutes away—means you can pair the session with a walk along Towradgi Point or the rock pools afterward.
Geology of the immediate area shows exposed Hawkesbury sandstone along the coast; locally you can spot coastal heath plants and gulls wheeling above the surf. The workshop itself focuses on low-tech handbuilding rather than wheel-throwing, so the tools of note are fingers, ribs and simple sculpting tools. The class accommodates ages up to 100, and the space is wheelchair friendly at the front door (the bathroom is small).
Why this class stands out: blackduckstudio brings a relaxed, social atmosphere to a region better known for surf and cliffs. Instead of renting boards, you’re renting time with clay— a tactile counterpoint to coastal adventure. Limited dates and small group sizes make it feel like a private artist’s residency rather than a crowded craft class.
Practical details: sessions run about three hours; bring a towel and wear clothes you don’t mind getting dusty. Clay work takes time—allow an extra day or two if your pieces require firing and glazing at the studio. This is ideal for visitors staying in Wollongong who want a creative half-day or a rainy-day plan.
Only three dates are offered for these extended Spring Sessions, and seats are limited—book early if you have a specific weekend in mind. The studio supplies clay and basic glazing; expect to return for pick-up if pieces need firing. Hot drinks and playlist are part of the session’s charm. If accessibility or age questions are important, contact the studio directly before booking to confirm details. Enjoy creating.
easy.
3 hours.
Light physical activity; basic hand strength and dexterity for shaping clay is helpful
Minimum age is 12; the session is family-friendly for older kids and adults.
The front door is wheelchair friendly, but the bathroom is too small to accommodate a wheelchair.
No; the workshop teaches pinch-pot, coil and basic sculpting methods suitable for beginners.
The studio supplies clay and basic glazing materials—confirm details when booking for any additional fees.
Firing and glazing typically require extra time; plan to return to the studio to pick up finished pieces.
Book through the studio’s online booking page; dates are limited and sell out quickly.
The Towradgi area sits within the traditional lands of the Dharawal people, whose cultural history shapes the Illawarra coastline.
Avoid washing clay down residential drains and use studio bins for scraps; respect nearby coastal habitats by staying on formed paths.
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.
Book with Black Duck Studio Pty Ltd