What is the minimum age to participate?

Participants must be at least 12 years old; under-18s may require guardian accompaniment depending on studio policy.

How long is the workshop?

The session runs about two hours; allow extra time for arrival and choosing glazes.

When can I collect my finished platter?

Plates are glazed and fired after the class; the studio will notify you when the piece is ready for pickup or arrange postage if offered.

What happens if the event doesn’t meet the minimum ticket requirement?

The event requires a minimum of 10 tickets to go ahead; if the minimum isn’t met you’ll be contacted within one week with the option of a refund or a studio credit.

Do I need prior pottery experience?

No—this workshop is beginner-friendly and designed to teach slab techniques that are easy to learn.

Can I request a custom shape or glaze?

Yes—within reason. Instructors can advise on what will hold up in firing; custom shapes may require extra drying time or trimming.

Make a Serving Platter — Hands-On Slab Ceramics Workshop in Shellharbour

On the South Coast of New South Wales, a short drive from Shellharbour’s main street, a low-key studio at 80b Towradgi Rd Towradgi invites hands-on creativity: Make a Serving Platter is a two-hour clay workshop focused on a flowing slab-platter design that channels domestic ritual into object-form. The session is practical and calming, aimed at makers aged 12 and up who want a piece they can use and admire.

Inside the studio, you’ll work with smooth stoneware clay and simple tools to press, carve and curve a single slab into ledges, dips and shallow wells for dips and nibbles. The instructor guides you through slab rolling, trimming and texturing, offering tips to control thickness and cure stresses that cause warping. Finished pieces are glazed and fired later; you’ll be notified when your platter is ready for pickup or postage. The workshop emphasizes slow making: deliberate hand movements, attention to edge profiles and small decisions that give each platter personality.

Why book this in Shellharbour? Beyond learning a functional ceramic technique, the class plugs you into a local maker scene on the New South Wales South Coast where craft practice intersects with coastal life — think practical objects designed for gatherings after a beach walk. The studio’s slab approach suits beginners while allowing more adventurous shaping for experienced hands; that flexibility makes it a standout small-group creative offering in the region.

Practical details are straightforward: meet at 80b Towradgi Rd Towradgi, allow roughly two hours for the session, and note a 12-ticket minimum is required for the event to proceed; organizers will contact attendees with options if the minimum isn’t met. Bring a willing attitude, close-toed shoes, and an apron or shirt you don’t mind getting clay on. The workshop makes an excellent half-day pairing with shoreline walks, café brunches in Shellharbour, or other South Coast studio visits.

This is not a competitive pottery class; it’s a mindful craft experience designed to return you home with a usable piece that recalls the making process. Whether you’re buying a creative souvenir, expanding a practical skill set, or searching for a meaningful gift, Make a Serving Platter offers a concise, focused introduction to slab ceramics with hands-on instruction and a tangible, usable result—a simple way to bring a tactile, hand-made pause to your travels on the New South Wales coast.

Expect the studio to smell faintly of damp clay and the tannin of wooden tools; the instructor will demo scoring and slipping and offer glazing palettes so you can choose colors that suit your table. Finished platters often make memorable gifts or centerpieces at supper, and the simple slab technique taught here translates easily into bowls, trays and coasters you can make next.

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.