St Arnaud One Off Pottery Wheel Workshop

NZ$120.00

You're in St. Arnaud and is looking for some activities in the area?

Dive deep into the art of wheel throwing in this immersive 2-hour workshop designed for beginners. Whether you're new to clay or looking to refine your technique, this hands-on experience offers the perfect balance of guided instruction and creative freedom.

You’ll learn the basics on how to center clay, pull walls, and shape a variety of forms on the pottery wheel.

By the end of the session, you’ll select your favourite 1 piece to be clear glazed, and kiln-fired by the studio. Your finished work will be ready for collection in 6–8 weeks. Shipping is available if you're unable to return.

What's Included:

  • 2 hours of instructions

  • Use of pottery wheels and tools

  • All clay and materials

  • Glazing and firing of 1 selected piece

This workshop is a great way to slow down, get messy, and experience the satisfaction of making something from scratch.

Workshop Schedule:
Saturdays, 10am-12pm or 1pm-3pm.
Selected Sundays also available. Please message me if you prefer a Sunday schedule.

Please Note:
All bookings are final. I do not offer cash refunds for classes, courses, or workshops.

Cancellation Policy:
Due to remote location and limited workshop capacity, I am unable to offer refunds for cancellations.

Age Policy:
My studio is adults-only. However, teens are welcome to attend if accompanied by a participating adult.

Come play with clay and create a lasting memory from your time in St Arnaud!

Please follow my Instagram @starnaudpottery.nz for updates on your pieces, including their firing phases and the shipping process

Pottery is a wonderfully rewarding craft, but it can also be unpredictable. By choosing to work with clay, you’re stepping into a creative process full of variables, many of which are beyond my control.

I want to be upfront: I cannot guarantee that your piece will return to you exactly as you left it. I handle every piece with care and treat your work as if it were my own. However, in ceramics, things do go wrong; pieces can crack, glazes may run, items can warp or even explode in the kiln. Sometimes your creation won’t turn out the way you imagined, and that’s part of the process too.

By choosing to book this workshop, you acknowledge and accept these risks as part of the learning experience. I do not offer refunds, credits, or replacements for any pieces that are damaged, or don’t make it through the drying and firing process.If any issues arise, I’ll keep you informed by email and share photos where possible.

What I can promise is a welcoming and encouraging environment where you can explore, create, and have fun. This is your opportunity to connect with clay, embrace the unexpected, and enjoy the unique experience of making something by hand.

Please Note:
All bookings are final. I do not offer cash refunds for classes, courses, or workshops.

Payment terms:

If it’s not too much hassle, I’d prefer bank transfer at checkout. Please select this option as your payment method, as it works better for me and avoids extra gateway fees. It also allows me to provide a full refund if the minimum number of participants isn’t reached. If you choose to pay by credit or debit card, please note that any refund will be the total amount paid minus a 3% non-refundable Stripe fee.

Group Booking Responsibility
Please note that the person making the booking is responsible for informing all participants about the terms and conditions, as well as the inherent variability that comes with pottery making.

Minimum Participants:
1 or 2.

Cancellation Policy:
Due to our remote location and limited capacity, I am unable to offer refunds for cancellations. If you're unable to attend, you are welcome to send someone in your place, just let me know in advance. Please note that we do not offer makeup sessions for missed classes.

Photos & Media:
Photos and videos taken during classes, including images of student work, may be used for promotional purposes on my website and social media channels. By enrolling, you consent to this use. If you prefer not to be photographed, please inform me. You may request removal of any image at any time.

Materials Provided:
All tools and materials are included in the workshop, just bring your creativity and enthusiasm!

Collecting Your Work:
Finished pieces will be available for pickup after the drying and firing process, which takes approximately 6–8 weeks. We’ll notify you when your work is ready for collection. Additional cost for individual shipping can be arranged.

For payments, I kindly ask that you choose bank transfer as your preferred payment method. This option is much simpler and more cost-effective for both of us. Unlike credit or debit card transactions processed through Stripe, bank transfers do not carry additional gateway charges or non-refundable fees. This becomes especially important in the event that a class does not reach the minimum number of participants required to go ahead. If you opt for credit or debit card transactions, please note that the amount refunded will be the amount you paid less 3%.

If that situation arises, I want to be able to provide you with a full refund quickly and easily. With bank transfers, I can return the exact amount you paid directly back to you without any deductions. Unfortunately, if you pay via Stripe (credit or debit card), the payment platform automatically takes a percentage as a fee, and that portion cannot be refunded. This means that while I can return the bulk of your payment, the small deduction taken by Stripe is outside of my control.

By opting for bank transfer, you help ensure that your payment is fully refundable if circumstances change, and you avoid unnecessary costs. It also allows me to keep class prices fair and accessible, since I don’t have to factor in extra payment processing charges.

I really appreciate your understanding and support in this. Choosing bank transfer makes the whole process smoother, keeps costs down, and guarantees that if a workshop cannot proceed, your full payment comes straight back to you without any loss.

When working with clay, keeping your nails short makes a big difference. Long nails can unintentionally dig into the clay, leaving marks or tiny hairline cracks on the surface. While these cracks may look minor, they can weaken your piece and even cause it to break before or during the firing process in the kiln.

For the best results, I recommend trimming your nails before the workshop. This helps you shape and smooth your piece more easily and ensures it has the strength to make it safely through the drying and firing stages.

If you prefer to keep your nails long, please bring a pair of thin surgical or disposable gloves. Wearing gloves creates a barrier between your nails and the clay, reducing the risk of small cracks and keeping your pottery in better condition.

Pottery is all about enjoying the process and creating something you’ll be proud to take home. Having short nails or using gloves if your nails are long will give you the best chance of success with your piece.