Spin Me Right Round at Crafted Clay
Four friends, playful chaos, and a whole lot of clay
There’s something quietly romantic about spending a morning with your hands caked in clay – no phones, no rush, just laughter and a spinning wheel. That’s exactly what four of us found when we visited Crafted Clay in Lakefield, Benoni for a pottery-on-the-wheel experience. The activity was equal parts grounding, messy, and unexpectedly therapeutic.
Here’s how the day unfolded:
Arriving at the Scene
Tucked away in Lakefield, Benoni, Crafted Clay feels like stepping into a creative sanctuary. The space is warm and welcoming, with shelves lined with handcrafted pottery and painted ceramics in bright tones and soft glazes. Each piece tells a story of patience and artistry.
The atmosphere immediately sets the tone: unpretentious, creative, and inspiring. Whether you’re a complete beginner or someone who’s dabbled in pottery before, there’s an unmistakable sense that this is a space where experimentation is celebrated (and encouraged).
Getting the Hang of Pottery on the Wheel
There’s a hum to the pottery wheel – steady, almost meditative. But don’t be fooled: mastering it is another story. Forget what you see on Instagram, it is much harder than it looks.
However, our fantastic instructor guided us through the basics: centring the clay (arguably the hardest part), controlling the speed of the wheel (there is such a thing as too fast, unfortunately), and learning how much pressure is too much pressure (you are stronger than you think). Within minutes, we realised pottery is a delicate balance between confidence and restraint (mainly where the foot pedal is concerned).
At first, the clay wobbles. It resists. It collapses. But slowly, with guidance, tucked elbows, and soft but firm hands, something starts to take shape.
There’s something incredibly grounding about working with clay. Your hands are fully engaged, your mind has no space to wander, and you’re forced to be present in the moment. Because, if you are not, you will have to start again – pottery demands your full attention.
Putting Your Best Piece Forward
After a few practice rounds (and a few lopsided attempts), it was time to focus on creating the piece we would eventually fire and keep.
Choosing what to make is part of the fun – a mug, a bowl, perhaps something more abstract. The instructors are patient, offering subtle corrections and encouragement while still allowing your creativity to lead.
There’s something empowering about watching a formless lump of clay transform under your fingertips. The moment it begins to resemble something intentional feels quietly triumphant.
And while perfection is tempting, pottery has a way of teaching you to embrace imperfection. Slightly uneven rims, subtle fingerprints – these become part of the charm.
Refining Your Masterpiece
Once the initial form was created, it was time to refine.
Shaping involves trimming excess clay, smoothing edges, and ensuring the structure is balanced. It’s a slower, more meticulous process – way less dramatic than the spinning wheel but equally important.
This stage demands patience. It’s about subtle adjustments and trusting your eye. Watching everyone focus so intently, occasionally breaking into laughter, created a beautiful rhythm in the room. And, of course, we could finally order cappuccinos to fuel us on our journey.
There’s a quiet pride that comes from seeing your piece evolve from fragile and wobbly to structured and defined.
Painting Your Piece
If spinning clay is about structure, painting is about personality.
Once our pieces were ready for colour, we faced a very hard decision – selecting shades and deciding whether to keep things minimalist or bold. From earthy neutrals to softer pastels or bolder prime colours, the options allowed for creative expression beyond the form itself.
Painting ceramics is surprisingly calming. Each brushstroke feels intentional, knowing that once fired, the glaze will transform in the kiln. Once again, it is all about trusting the process.
There’s also an element of anticipation here. The colours look different before firing, and the final result is something of a surprise – a four-week wait before revealing the true finish. A little imagination goes a long way.
Waiting Patiently
Now comes the part that requires the most patience of us…waiting.
Our pieces will be ready in about four weeks, after drying and firing in the kiln. There’s something exciting about knowing that the final transformation is still to come.
There’s also a poetic beauty in that waiting period. Pottery, much like many worthwhile things, cannot be rushed.
We left Crafted Clay with clay under our nails, splash marks on our jeans, big smiles, and a shared sense of accomplishment. What began as a fun weekend activity became something more meaningful – areminder of the joy found in creating something tangible with your own hands.
We will be back soon to share the images of our end products.
Crafted Clay offers more than just a pottery class – it offers an experience. It’s ideal for friends looking for something different, couples wanting a creative date idea, or even solo visitors craving a mindful escape.
In a world that moves quickly, there’s something beautifully rebellious about slowing down and shaping clay. And in four weeks’ time, we’ll be holding a permanent reminder of an afternoon well spent. Some afternoons give you memories. Others give you something you can hold.
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