Workshop Info

Meraki Studio Workshops are held in my home studio in Ruatangata, Whangarei.  It's a 12 minute drive from Te Kamo through farmland to our little village.   

I have worked with clay for many years and it brings me great joy to share some of the knowledge I have gained in that time.   Workshops aren't just about making something, it's all about the experience too.  Doing something different, some times out of your comfort zone is very good for the soul.   Workshops are loads to fun, we always have a good laugh and it brings me great joy to see participants create something they are proud of.

Workshops are designed for beginners, but are also good for those wanting to gain a few extra tips for their own pottery journey.

All of these workshops are project based and for the most part step by step to a certain point.   If you would like to delve more into handbuilding I recommend my 4 plus 1 week course that is offered from time to time (please message me if keen).   The 4 plus week workshop is more about learning how to create your own projects, different types of clay, different handbuilding methods, the different phases of creating something, finishing, glazing, working saftely at home etc etc. 

Please scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the difference between Individual and Group bookings.

more workshops coming soon........ 
MAKE A MUG - OPTION 1 WORKSHOP

 

Approx duration = 2 1/2 hours
Price $65 per person

7 people max

This workshop is great for absolute beginners.    It is a step by step class so no one is left behind.   In this workshop you will be making a mug out of a slab of clay.  Everything is precut to the template and ready to go.

You will be able to stamp, use texture rollers etc to make an impression in your clay.

You will be able to select 1 glaze colour for your mug

MUG MAKING - ART MUG WORKSHOP

Approx duration = 10am - 3pm approx
Price $85 per person
7 people max

In this workshop you will be able to make a mug from a variety of templates available (standard mug, beer tankard, long skinny, short and plump)

You can then add different sculptural elements to make the mug your own.     

You will also be able to add underglaze transfers or paint your mug to really make it your own.

You will also be able to select 2 glaze colours for your mug.  One for the inside and one for the outside.

This mugs is broken down into two sections. 
The first part will be making your mug form and getting the handle attached.
We will then stop for a lunch break.
After lunch you will be able to add sprigs, underglaze transfers, hand paint etc

BYO Lunch

TEA LIGHT HOUSE WORKSHOP

 

Approx duration = 10am - 3pm
Price $95 per person
7 people max

This workshop is now a full day workshop.   Previous workshops have always taken a minimum of 4 hours so I have changed this and now broken it into two seperate sessions with a lunch break in between.

The first part of the workshop we will make the houses and start adding the extra details (seats etc).   We will then stop for a lunch break.

After lunch the finishing touches can be added as well as painting with underglaze.




Platter and Dip Bowl Set

Duration: 3 hours
Cost:  $95
6 people max

Make your own platter using a handmade form or free style to make your own organic shape.   There will also be some spare clay to make a wee bowl and spoon.

You will be able to decorate your platter using stamps, doilies, botanicals.   Will even be able to add some colour to the botanicals if desired.

Please note that at this stage I will only be running this workshop over the warmer months and one platter workshop a month.   


Large Heart Wall Hanging 
Duration:  10am - 3pm
Cost:  $95
7 people max

Create a large wall heart and decorate any way you like.

We will form and decorate the heart in the morning then stop for a lunch break.  After lunch you will then paint with underglaze

BYO lunch but everything else will be provided.
Butter Dish 
Duration:  10am - 3pm
Cost:  $95
7 people max

Create Butter Dish

We will form and decorate the butter dish in the morning then stop for a lunch break.  After lunch you will then paint with underglaze etc

BYO lunch but everything else will be provided



What's included in the Workshop 
Clay, all the tools needed to make and decorate it.  Firing your piece twice, sanding, glazing (unless you opt to come and glaze yourself, this is a whole new workshop etc).   It takes a considerable amount of time once the workshop is finished to dry, bisque fire, sand etc, glaze and fire again, sand bottoms and package up which is all included in the price.   

Available workshops for individuals

Under the Available Workshops section you will find the current dates available for individual's to be able to book in.   These are great if you want to come along and try it out yourself without having to make a group booking or you know a few people who are keen and don't mind joining in with people you may not know.

Group Bookings
I am able to take group bookings for any of the above mentioned workshops.   I need a minimum of 4 people for a group booking.   
I'm pretty flexible with days and times I can hold a workshop so if you are keen to come with a group of friends, work collegues etc, work out a day of the week and time that suits you best and get in touch with me.   The dates available are on the calendar below.  Once you have sussed out a date please get in touch ASAP. 

I will then make up a listing under the Group Bookings tab and send you a link.   You can forward this link to your group and they can then each process a spot through the checkout and use their preferred payment method.  I can also make up the listing for the full amount if you want to collect and follow up payments yourself (this will be invoice through Hnry).   Group bookings need to be paid in full 7 days before the booking date.    I will send an email to everyone a few days before the booking date with my address etc.

You can BYO (sensible drinking though, this ain't no booze up).   I have refreshment available but we do have a little downtime and it's the perfect time for having a light snack once any clay dust is washed off your hands.   Food will be kept away from the workshop table.

Please note:  I take a great amount of care drying your creation (dried very slowly over a week), firing etc but the nature of pottery is very unpredictable.   Your creations are fired twice, first to 1000 degrees then to 1220 degrees.   Sometimes things go wrong, all potter's experience failures, it's just part of the practice.   So while I will take the best care of your creation  through all the processes of getting a finished piece, sometimes the unthinkable will happen and your creation will crack etc.   If this happens I am not able to offer a refund but  you will have gained the knowledge to be able to make another.   This is the natural nature of pottery.   

      

Below you can find out what days are available for booking a group workshop.

All available dates have nothing but the date in them.   
N/A is not available
Individual workshops will have the date and workshop name, this text will appear blue and if you click on it, it will take you to the product listing.
Group bookings will have Private Booking and a name in it.

March 2026

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
            Build a Village
2 3 4 5 6 N/A N/A
9 10 11 12
Make a Mug Opt 1
13 14

15
Large Heart
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Make a Platter
23 24 25 26 27 Private Booking
Maree
29
30 31          

April 2026

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
    1 2 N/A N/A N/A
N/A 7 8 9 10 11 12
Large Wall Heart
13 14 15 16 17 18
Private Booking - Jade
19
Butter dish
20 21 22
5 Week course
23
Make a Mug Opt 1
N/A N/A 26
Make a Art Mug
27 28 N/A
5 week course
30      
             

May 2026

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
        1 2 3
4 5 N/A
5 week course
7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Butter Dish
18 19 N/A
5 week course
21 22 23 24
25 26 27
N/A 5 week course
28 29 30 31
             

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