Things to Do
Sculpt clay creatures and create personalised crockery at these regular pottery classes around Sydney.
Silky Shapes Studio
At Silky Shapes you’ll learn how to mould clay into anything from a basic bowl to an intricate sculpture. Beginner classes at this intimate studio are held in three-lesson packages across three weeks. They feature wheel throwing, trimming and glazing. In our introduction, we learned the process of weighing the clay, releasing air bubbles and tossing onto the wheel – an essential throw which secures the clay to the device. You get to watch the little ball of clay form into different shapes and sizes at the end of this messy process. “I hope they are gaining the ability to leave stress aside... they start with a lump of clay and end with a fully functional piece,” says owner Yegana Jafarova. Classes range from wheel throwing to hand-building, slip casting, mould making, coiling and slab building.
202/ 15, Falcon St, Crows Nest 2065. 0466 094 654. www.silkyshapes.com. au. Tue 10am-9pm; Wed, Thu 5-9pm; Sat 8am-4pm.
MakerSpace &Company
MakerSpace &Co is a not-for-profit creative space where students can learn skills including ceramics, woodwork, metal work and digital fabrication. Their ceramic studio is an open space with all the tools necessary to craft pieces such as cups, bowls, tea sets and jewellery bowls. Wastage is kept to a minimum: a machine called a pugmill gathers leftover clay and processes them into a fresh batch. We moseyed in on the first class of the introduction package in which students learn the basics of wheel throwing, trimming, hand-building and glazing over the course of four weeks to create simple but lovely pieces like bowls and cups. Memberships to the ceramics studio are available. For a monthly fee of $200, you’re granted access to discounted classes, members-only events and use of the ceramics studio at any time to work on your projects.
12 Gerald St, Marrickville 2204. 02 9557 8584. makerspace.org.au. Mon & Thu 10am-9pm; Tue-Wed & Fri 10am-6pm; Sat 10am-5pm.
The Pottery Shed
In the atrium, you’ll see pieces for sale that were made on-site in an intimate seating space that opens to high ceilings and clay-covered floors. You’ll find pottery wheels for throwing clay, an area for trimming and another for glazing your finished creations. As you explore the space, you’ll come across shelving with hundreds of pre-fired vessels wrapped and ready for the next part of the process as well as a dedicated shelf for finished works. Charismatic owner Joe Darling has a history of making pottery dating back to 1976 in California, and may even share a story or two.
Nickson St, Surry Hills 2010. thepotteryshed.com.au. Mon, Wed-Fri 10am-2pm & 5-9pm; Sat, Sun 10am-4pm & 5-9pm.
Something at Mary’s
This small ceramic studio down in Bundeena overlooks the ocean, so you have a salty, scenic vista to inspire your creations. In the personalised classroom featuring
only four wheels, our teacher, Marion Stehouwer, answers all our questions as we get to know the clay and building process.While most pottery spaces hold lessons for the entire process, from throwing to glazing, these classes focus primarily on the throwing and trimming aspects. However, Stehouwer is happy to assist students with sculptures and other projects. Group bookings are also taken for corporate team-building classes, hens parties and family sessions. Workshops can be brought to your workplace. à8 Mary St, Bundeena 2230. 0417 883 702. somethingatmarys.com. Daily 10am-4pm.
Clay Sydney
Clay Sydney is a super-relaxed option. Taster classes offer an introduction to wheel throwing, firing and glazing. The spaces are rented out to experienced members who want to work on their own projects.Wine and cheese handbuilding classes on Friday nights are where you’ll learn how to build mugs and mini vessels. The snacks are included and BYO drinks are encouraged. Private classes are offered for groups of 10-30 people, and the clay action can be brought off-site for groups of up to 100 amateur makers.
Renwick St, Marrickville 2204. 0414 787 292. claysydney.com.