Is this suitable for first-timers?

Yes—beginners are welcome, but the slab method is rated Level 3 for technique; consider the pinch-pot class if you want an easier start.

How long until I can pick up my finished mug?

Kiln-fired pieces are typically ready about four weeks after the session; two-part glaze options add roughly two more weeks after final firing.

Are air-dry clay pieces food safe?

No—air-dry clay options are not food safe or waterproof and are not suitable for functional mugs.

Can I upgrade the size of my piece?

Yes—standard volume is medium; you can usually upgrade to a larger volume for an additional fee if space and materials allow.

What if the workshop is cancelled?

Sessions require a minimum of ten tickets to run; if the minimum isn’t met you’ll be offered a refund or a studio credit.

Make a Mug: Slab-Method Pottery Workshop in Towradgi | Workshop | Attraction

Q: What about accessibility?

The front door is wheelchair friendly but the bathroom is too small to accommodate wheelchairs—contact the studio with specific needs.

At 80b Towradgi Rd in Towradgi, New South Wales, a small studio teaches the slab-method mug workshop that turns flat sheets of clay into tall, squared mugs. In this hands-on class you’ll roll slabs, cut templates, score and slip seams, shape handles and finish with underglaze or fancy glazes; options include kiln-fired only, kiln-fired plus painting, or a two-part glaze session. The studio balances technical instruction with a relaxed, creative pace: an instructor guides each step, tools and aprons are provided, and finished pieces are bisque-fired, glazed and fired again before pickup.

The slab method demands attention to thickness and join technique so the finished vessel resists cracking—students learn to manage shrinkage and to plan for the 10–15% reduction that happens after drying and firing. If you’re a tactile maker who enjoys careful, process-driven craft, this is an ideal introduction to hand-building beyond pinch pots. Choose the 1.5-hour kiln-fired session to take home a classic white midfire mug; add painting for a 2.5-hour session with underglazes and brushes, or book the two-part fancy-glaze path to return for a dedicated glazing hour three weeks later.

This workshop is practical and place-based: it offers templates, white midfire clay, drying and kiln time, and email notification when your piece is ready—typically four weeks for standard firing and two additional weeks after final glaze. The studio’s meeting point is listed as 80b Towradgi Rd Towradgi, and the minimum age is 12, so it’s a good intergenerational outing for families or friends wanting a tangible souvenir. Note that air-dry clay options are not food safe, while kiln-fired pieces are suitable for everyday use after glazing.

The real joy here is the tactile transformation—flattened slabs become square-bodied mugs with crisp edges and hand-formed handles—and the way the studio makes technical pottery skills accessible in a compact session. Bring short nails or be prepared to use tools; metal templates, wire cutters and a communal kiln stand ready. The class runs as a small workshop, and the studio requires a minimum of ten tickets to run a session—book early if you have a group in mind.

Whether you’re a design-minded traveler who wants to craft a functional souvenir or a local looking to sharpen hand-building skills, this slab-method mug workshop balances instruction, creativity, and a satisfying kiln-fired finish. It’s a hands-on way to bring home more than a photograph—a mug with the memory of your hands in every curve.

Plan to arrive a few minutes early to stow belongings; aprons are provided but the studio notes the bathroom is too small to accommodate wheelchairs. You can bring a bottle to share after the session, and expect email pickup notices in about four weeks. Small groups welcome; book early.

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.