Skip to content

Classes

Now that our studio is built we’re keen to share our knowledge about clay – how to turn your ideas into reality and to explore this amazing material. Our studio is well equiped with Leach style treadle wheels, lots of workspace and storage, fully stocked with glaze materials and a selection of moulds and other equipment for hand building.

For the 2025 Workshops we’re only taking bookings after the “Booking opens” date listed in the class details. To book, please click on the button that is below the workshop open for bookings. We work on a first in, first served order and full payment of the course fee is required to secure your place on the workshop. Please read the Terms and Conditions at the bottom of this page.

The tutor for all 2024 workshops will be Duncan Shearer

Special Weekend Workshop

Ginny’s Wood Kiln Adobe Workshop brought to you by Rahu Road Pottery
Dates: 1 & 2 March 2025
Times: 9am – 5pm
Where: 30B Taitua Rd, Hamilton
Tutor: Duncan Shearer
Cost: $400
Booking opens:  9am, 12 January 2025

Description:
Have you had a hankering for a small wood fired kiln, have a bit of space but no idea about how to go about it? This workshop will help with plans for a simple woodkiln, construction techniques and where to source materials. We’ll be focussing on Ginny’s small wood fired kiln as it needs better insulation and draft proofing and adobe is the best solution. Kiln adobes are various mixtures of materials that adhere to bricks and are built up in layers. Clays, sands, sawdust, hay and some cement are used and these layers then insulate, stabilise and draft proof the bricks. During this workshop students will learn about the different formulations of the adobe layers and methods of application. It is a hands on workshop for 6 students and you will also learn about how the kiln was built and its’ design. Students will also get the opportunity to fire the kiln once the adobe is dry – date to be set. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Workshops for 2025

Day Workshops

Throwing with a sense of style
Date: 15 March, 9am to 4pm
Booking opens: 9am, 16 February

Using the Leach style treadle wheel you will be throwing a range of simple forms to develop a distinctive throwing style. The treadle wheel spins with a slower momentum, allowing more time to adjust forms and leave your mark on the pots. We’ll be focussing on rims, bellies and feet; using a range of ribs and other tools to explore the possibilities. Some throwing skills essential. Please bring your own clay and throwing tools (we will have the standard studio clay available for you to use as well).
Maximum 4 students, $220 (includes refreshments and lunch)

Glaze Technology – Beginner
Date: 3 May, 9am to 4pm
Booking opens: 9am, 13 April

This course covers glazing methods including pouring, dipping and spraying using specialised tools. We also explore layering using a variety of different resist methods. Additionally we cover a basic overview of how to make up a glaze, the materials that make up a glaze and what to look for in choosing a new glaze recipe. Please bring some of your own bisque ware to practice on.
Maximum 6 students, $220 (includes refreshments and lunch)

Glaze Technology – Intermediate
Date: 7 June, 9am to 4pm
Booking opens: 9am, 18 May 

This course is focussed on understanding the materials that are used in making up a glaze, how to formulate a recipe and test it. We look at how to take an existing glaze and make it your own by adapting it to your clay and style. You will have a go at glaze test trials and learn tips of the trade about material selection. There will also be time to answer your specific glaze issue. 
Maximum 6 students. $220 (includes refreshments and lunch)

Kiln Technology
Date: 5 July, 9am to 4pm
Booking opens: 9am, 15 June

This workshop looks at various kiln designs including: electric, gas and wood. We cover the principles of how heat affects your clay and glazes, including key temperature points, ramp rates, heat saturation and ventilation. Kiln repair and maintenance, and good kiln practice are also covered. There will be an opportunity to bring up any specific kiln firing issues you have and hopefully find a solution.
Maximum 6 students $220 (includes refreshments and lunch)

Throwing the Jug
Date: 30 August, 9am to 4pm
Booking opens: 9am, 10 August

This workshop is focussed on improving your throwing skills, using the form of the jug as a starting point. This form also has the challenge of having to pour well and has lots of opportunity for individual expression. A range of techniques will be demonstrated that you can have a go at and we will be using the Leach treadle wheel. Some throwing skills essential. Please bring your own clay and throwing tools (we will have the standard studio clay available for you to use as well). 
Maximum of 4 people. $220 (includes refreshments and lunches)

Weekend Workshops

Taming of the Kiln
Dates: 5 & 6 April, all day. Kiln opens on 9 April
Booking opens: 9am, 23 February

This workshop is an introduction to wood firing and the soda glazing process. Based around loading and firing of our wood kiln for a soda firing we will also be covering the principles at work in wood fired kilns. Work for the firing will need to be bisque fired and glazed with suitable stoneware glazes (firing to cone 11, 1300 degrees), loading on Saturday and firing on Sunday. The kiln will be unloaded on the following Wednesday. We have a limited range of glazes and flashing slips available, comprehensive notes will be emailed to you once your booking is confirmed.
Maximum 6 students, $440 (includes refreshments and lunches)

Mastering Wood Firing Effects
Dates: 27 & 28 September, all day. Kiln opens on 1 Oct
Booking opens: 9am, 17 August

A more advanced workshop to the earlier ‘Taming of the Kiln’ workshop that is focussed on you developing an individual approach and aesthetic to wood fired soda glazing and improving your understanding of the firing process. So you do need to have had some experience with wood firing and soda glaze. We will be exploring different slips, glazes and clays and firing pieces raw where necessary. We will be loading on Saturday, firing on Sunday with the unloading happening on the following Wednesday
Maximum 6 students. $440 (includes refreshments and lunches).
If you want more information or discuss whether you have enough experience with wood firing then please get in touch.

Accommodation options

If you want to stay overnight in our area then hunt out the various accommodation options using the following locations: Karangahake, Paeroa, Waikino, Waihi, Waihi Beach.

Airbnb options:

The Hauraki Experience

Artist-inspired home of a sculptor and florist

Subscribe to our newsletters

If you would like to receive advanced notice of our workshops and classes then fill in the form below to be added to our Mailchimp subscription.

Terms and Conditions
  • Rahu Road Pottery reserves the right to cancel a class if it fails to achieve a minimum number of enrolments, or for reasons outside its control. A full refund will be given if the course is cancelled by Rahu Road Pottery.
  • If a student cancels their enrolment three or more weeks prior to course commencement then a full refund will be given. If a student cancels their enrolment within two weeks of course commencement then a refund will be given minus an administration fee of $50. If a student cancels their enrolment within one week or after the start date of the course then no refund will be given.
  • A confirmed booking requires full payment of the tuition fee within a week of booking.
  • Rahu Road Pottery reserves the right to discontinue tuition for any student deemed to be unsuitable for the course.
  • Rahu Road Pottery reserves the right to change the tutor on advertised courses and replace that tutor with another suitable tutor without advertising those changes or refunding course fees.
  • All students must comply with the Health and Safety policy of Rahu Road Pottery.