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Handcrafted · Soulful · Creative

Unleash Your
Creativity
with Clay

The Eat, Play, Clay Club is a warm, creative studio in Durban dedicated to the slow, mindful craft of hand building. Every piece made here carries the warmth of human touch. Whether you're shaping your first pinch pot or exploring sculptural forms, you'll be guided with patience, clarity, and personal attention.

Studio Pottery detail Clay work Clay work Pottery detail

About Shamila

Artist · Academic · Author

Academic Background
& Research

Shamila has served as a Research Associate at both the University of Johannesburg and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). Her academic work explores the dynamics of education, learner performance, and the role of creativity in teaching and learning.

Shamila approaches education not as a mechanical transfer of knowledge, but as a lived, embodied practice that shapes individuals and communities. Alongside her academic career, she is a dedicated ceramic artist who founded The Eat, Play, Clay Club — a home‑based studio in KwaZulu‑Natal that functions as both an artistic space and a therapeutic environment.

Clay became a profound part of her personal healing journey — working with clay helped her navigate post‑natal depression, offering a tactile, grounding way to reconnect with herself. Her classes are gentle, intuitive, and deeply beginner‑friendly: a space where people feel safe to explore, express, and simply breathe.

Studio Pottery detail Clay work

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

Pinch Pot Forming
Learn the foundational art of shaping clay by hand to create beautiful and functional pinch pots.
Coil Building for Vessels and Organic Shapes
Explore coil-building techniques to craft expressive vessels and flowing organic forms with texture and character.
Slab Construction for Plates, Boxes, and Structural Forms
Create modern ceramic pieces using slab-building methods for functional and sculptural designs.
Sculptural Techniques (Figurative or Abstract)
Develop your creativity through sculpting techniques that bring figurative or abstract ideas to life in clay.
Carving, Stamping, Sgraffito, and Surface Decoration
Add personality and detail to your ceramics using decorative surface techniques and creative mark-making.
Slip and Underglaze Design
Experiment with colour, patterns, and layered finishes using slips and underglazes to enhance your ceramic pieces.
Glazing and Finishing
Discover glazing methods and finishing touches that transform raw clay into polished, kiln-fired artwork.
Clay Stages, Drying, and Firing Processes
Understand the full clay journey from wet clay to finished ceramic through proper drying and firing techniques.

Course Outline

6Weeks

🌀
Week 2
Coil Building
Building height and volume, joining techniques, smoothing, shaping.
🎯
Week 4
Open Class
Come and explore various techniques at your own pace with guidance from the instructor.
Week 6
Glazing & Finishing
Glazing techniques and finishing touches that transform your pieces into kiln-fired artwork.

What's Included

Clay · Tools · Slips · Glazes · Firings · Aprons

Everything is provided — just bring comfortable clothes, closed shoes, and the spirit to learn.

Pricing

Full Course: R1 200

Drop-In Session: From R250

Special Events & Group Bookings

🏢

Staff Development Activities

Strengthen teamwork and creativity in a calm studio environment. Ideal for corporate wellness days, team-building retreats, and staff appreciation events.

💍

Hen Parties & Bridal Showers

Celebrate the bride-to-be with a joyful, hands-on pottery experience. Guests create personalised pieces in a relaxed, festive atmosphere.

🎂

Birthday Parties

Fun, hands-on, and memorable for all ages. Guests create their own pieces and leave with something handmade and personal.

👥

Group Booking Details

Sessions tailored to your group (maximum 15 per session). All materials included. Pricing varies by group size and duration.

Studio Policies

Author & Storyteller

Meet Shamila
the Author

Beyond academia and ceramics, Shamila is also a writer whose work explores identity, memory, resilience, and transformation. Holding a BA in Fine Arts, a Master's in English Literature & Cultural Studies, and a PhD in Education, her work sits at the rich intersection of creativity, culture, and pedagogy. Her published works include:

My Milkshakes Bring All the Boys to the Yard and Other Short Stories (2025) I wore my Reeboks and embraced risk in a doctoral study; a teacher-researcher tale (International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education Volume 38, 2025 - Issue 7

EAT, PRAY, DIE: Afterlife Memoirs (2026) Her fictional writing blends personal experience with broader cultural and social reflections, weaving narratives that are intimate yet universal. Across all her disciplines, teaching, sculpting, and writing Shamila cultivates spaces where learning, healing, and creativity intersect.

Published Works

Kind Words

What Our Students Say

"

Calming, inspiring, and beautifully guided.

— An Amazing Experience
"

Shamila teaches with warmth and patience.

— A Wonderful Teacher
"

The perfect hen party experience.

— Highly Recommended
"

Our staff loved every minute.

— Corporate Team

Class Schedule

When to Find Us

Wednesdays 6-Week Course
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Tues & Thurs
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Friday Social Session
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Book Your Appointment

Get in Touch

We'd love to hear from you. Fill in the form to book a class or ask any questions — Shamila personally responds to every enquiry.

Studio

FAQ

Common Questions

All materials are provided, but feel free to bring your favourite tools or personal items that inspire you.
Each pottery class lasts for 2 hours, giving you plenty of time to create, experiment, and enjoy the process.
No experience is required! Classes are carefully designed for all skill levels, from complete beginners to advanced potters.
You will learn hand-building, glazing, and design techniques across different sessions.
Classes are kept intentionally small, with a maximum of 10 students per session for personalised attention.
Yes! We offer a meaningful discount for booking multiple classes at once. Contact us for bundle pricing.