Here are some frequently asked questions - but if you can’t see an answer, just contact us.
How does it work?
STEP 1: Choose your kit
Pick the kit you'd like to try and we’ll courier it to with your clay and tools with fabulous step-by-step video you can watch as many times as you like. OR tune in to our LIVE sessions, every Friday throughout lockdown.
STEP 2. Make at home
Set yourself up at home, tune in and have a blast. Make sure you check out our instructional booklet for helpful tips :) Just watch anytime that suits you!
STEP 3. Drop off
When you’re finished, wait until you feel safe, and government guidelines allow you to do so, and drop them off at our Victoria Rd. studio in Marrickville (146 Victoria Road).
WE ARE CURRENTLY ONLY OPEN FOR LOCAL DROP-OFF/PICK-UPS
For our friends around Australia, we have a network of Potter Pals, who we’ll help you get in touch with to glaze and fire your work.
What's the Clay at Home Portal?
This website includes heaps of instructions, our Friday Night live stream, and a world of how-to- videos. Here's our 101 video.
When will my Clay at Home kit arrive?
Couriers are currently flat out like a lizard drinking, so here’s our best current ESTIMATES of when stuff will arrive:
Sydney Metro 2-5 days
Greater Sydney, regional hubs and Larger interstate cities 3-6 days
NSW regional 3-10 days
Regional other 5-10 days
We do not, and cannot, guarantee any delivery times at the mo. For this reason, we do not offer refunds if your package doesn't arrive in time for the event you had in mind. Once the package leaves us, there’s not much we can do to speed it up, although we love you’re super excited for some clay-goodness. Thanks for being understanding that, in the face of every man and their dogs currently ordering online due to the lockdown, stuff is taking a wee bit longer. We hear ya.
To keep everyone safe, we can’t allow pick-ups from the studio.
Once your order is made, we cannot change the order or update your mailing address. Please make sure mailing address is correct prior to purchase.
When will I get my access link to the Clay at Home portal?
Instructions on how to access the Clay at Home portal can be found inside your Clay at Home Kit.
What type of clay is it? How much of it do I get?
One ONE FOR ONE THING, TWO THINGS, BIGGER THING, MUDDY KIDS kits contains a cone 6, Keanes 33 Midfire clay. Although it arrives brown and squishy, it fires an off-white, and we glaze with a beautiful white. Your kit will keep for months if you keep it sealed and wrapped, but should it get hard, just check the “i stuffed it” page of the pdf instructions found on your portal.
Each kit is designed to make “A Thing”, such as a mug, vase, or planter, with some left over for extra projects. This is about 800g-ish (Or this twice if you order the pack for two, or a bigger thing).
The MUDDY KIDS kits have about 400g.
If you’re really into your clay, the ONLINE INTRODUCTION TO HANDBUILDING and CRAFTERNOON DELIGHT kits have lovely white Raku clay, and are 12.5kg and 6kg respectively.
Can I paint my pieces?
Unfortunately, regular paint will not survive the firing process (when your piece is specially heated in a kiln to around 1220 degrees). In order to add colour, you need special ‘underglazes’ which are made up of special minerals and metals that are designed to survive the extreme heat.
But don’t worry that your piece will be boring! All of our Clay at Home classes focus on the texture of pieces, rather than colour, and are then glazed with a lovely glossy white glaze.
If you’re mega keen-bean to add colours, then we have an underglaze palette available for $15.
Do I have to fire the clay in a kiln - can't I just chuck it in the oven?
Soz babe, you can’t just whack it in the oven. If you’re in Sydney, we can fire your work for you, and for our THINGS kits, this is included! More details can be found on your access link.
If you’re out of area, your local friendly potter will be able to help for a small fee. You can find a Pottery Pal on our firing page Or Google "Firing services" in your local area.
Where can I find a kiln close to where I live?
If you’re in Sydney, just bring it back to us at our 146 Victoria Road Studio Marrickville after lockdown and we’ll fire and glaze for you, then let you know when it’s ready to pick up. Please stay safe and do not bring back your work at this time.
For those not firing their finished pieces in Sydney at our studio, there may be an additional charge by your local Pottery Pal. Potters are very cheerful, helpful folks, and will help you to glaze, then fire your piece. Firing costs range, but it will generally cost you about $5-15 per clay kit to have your work fired.
I'm making my piece, but I've stuffed it, it's dried with cracks, the handle fell off, I dropped it, the cat sat on it...
Fear not - check your pdf instructions for the ‘I stuffed it’ page, which contains heaps of troubleshooting solutions. Apart from the cat thing - cats are just terrible people and we can’t help you.
How long will my clay last once it's delivered?
Your clay comes wrapped in plastic, so it should last for weeks and weeks. If for some reason your clay does dry out, it’s really easy to rehydrate - just check your pdf instructions on the ‘I stuffed it’ page for instructions on starting again.
When should I bring my work back? Will my clay 'go-off'?
Clay doesn't go off. Just leave it on a shelf and it will keep for years. We will be here, ready to fire, at our Victoria Road studio, whenever you are.
How do I care for my piece once it's dry?
Dried clay is delicate - think crumbly shortbread biscuits. Pick it up with two hands on its body, not any handles or rims. Transport in a box with tissue or paper to stop it bashing around.
How long does it take to fire my piece?
After your drop off your piece with us it usually takes around 3-4 weeks to fire, but make sure you keep your eyes open for an email letting you know when it’s done. As we have HUNDREDS of students, we can only keep your work for 6 weeks after it’s fired. Please let us know if you need more time to collect, or we can arrange delivery.
What happens if my piece cracks or doesn't perform well in the kiln?
In the unlikely event of a kiln boo-boo, Clay Sydney is not responsible for a piece cracking, breaking, exploding or any other type of unsatisfactory result after firing. Clay is a cruel mistress. It happens.